GRANITE FALLS — Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints haven’t had to travel as far for church services on Sundays since the Granite Falls Chapel opened in early September.

The 16,000-square-foot building on 4.5 acres is located across the street from the Granite Falls High School at 1821 100th St. NE. The 575-member ward meets on Sundays for worship, then divides up by age for Bible study. Members spend the final hour meeting in groups formed by age and gender.

Regular church services and meetings took place in Lake Stevens before the chapel was built in Granite Falls, said Alan Whipple, president of the Snohomish Stake. The building is the fifth chapel to be built in the stake in the past 10 years, he added. Wards within the Snohomish Stake meet in Granite Falls, Lake Stevens, Monroe, Snohomish and Sultan.

“It’s exciting for the Granite Falls community to have their own building,” he said. “It’s a demonstration of the growth of the church in the area.”

A dedication ceremony on Sept. 29 highlighted the history of Mormon families in Granite Falls and of the different wards people belonged to before the creation of a Granite Falls ward in the early 1990s.

On Sunday, the public is invited to learn more about the Granite Falls ward and see the inside of the new building during an open house from 4 to 7 p.m.

“We welcome anyone who is curious and wants to come and see what we’re all about,” Whipple said.

The ward pledges to be supportive of other wards and good neighbors to the community, Bishop Lonnie Kyser said.

“Our hope and intention is to be a positive influence and not only provide a place to worship but to hopefully strengthen the life of the community as a whole,” he said.

The church is a place where the whole family is welcome, Kyser added.

“(Children) bring a love and honesty about life,” he said. “They have some wonderful insight as well.”

Children ages 3 to 12 participate in the primary classes. In addition to lessons, songs and games, the boys take part in Cub Scouts and the girls learn new skills during activity days. The open house is a place for both children and their parents, primary president Mandy Myrhe said.

“During the open house we’ll have crafts and coloring in the primary room so kids can have something fun to do while their parents are asking questions and looking around,” she said.

The church sponsors Boy Scouts and plans to continue taking part in local service projects after barbecues and other church gatherings.

“We have asked each ward to have a service project in the community,” Whipple said.

Amy Daybert: 425-339-3491, adaybert@heraldnet.com.

You’re invited

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Granite Falls Chapel’s open house is 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at 18218 100th St. NE, Granite Falls. Worship begins at 10 a.m. Sunday.