Grand Blanc Ward Returns to Site of Deadly Attack to Break Ground on New Chapel

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints broke ground for a new chapel in Grand Blanc, Michigan, on Monday, September 28, 2026, one year after an attack killed four people, wounded eight others and destroyed the congregation’s building. Church leaders also dedicated the site, according to a Church Newsroom release.

The former chapel had served local congregations for more than four decades. The new building will be larger, and construction is expected to take about 14 months.

Grand Blanc Michigan Stake President Marcelino Sanchez addressed the loss at the ceremony. “Today we remember, of course, those that we lost on that day. And yet we’re here because we choose to build again,” he said.

President Sanchez, who oversees several congregations in the area, called the groundbreaking “a way of saying that hope has work still to be done.” Once construction ends, the Church of Jesus Christ plans to invite neighbors, first responders and local leaders to a community open house.

What Returning to the Site Means to Members

Bishop Jeffrey Schaub, leader of the Grand Blanc Ward, called the new chapel “a symbol of hope, a new beginning.” He said his faith in Jesus Christ has helped him approach the coming years without allowing the attack to define the congregation’s future.

Ward member Cindy Hougaboom described rebuilding as both a shared and a personal effort. “We’re not only rebuilding our building — we’re rebuilding our ward as a family and ourselves individually,” she said.

Hougaboom said members continue to work through the attack at different paces. She expressed confidence that Jesus Christ remains with her and with others who are still hurting.

Michael Mero, another ward member, also spoke about how the congregation chooses to move forward. “We’re not defined by our tragedies, but by our reactions to those things,” he said.

For Lindsey Frampton, the groundbreaking changed what visitors would see when they came to the property. “It’s not a scary place. It’s a sacred place. And it deserves to have a new church building on it,” she said.

Families Reflect on the Past Year

Lisa Louis was inside the chapel during the attack and lost her father, Craig Hayden, that day. She said mercy has occupied her thoughts over the past year, while forgiveness has helped her family heal.

“The gift of forgiveness has been extremely healing,” Louis said. “It has allowed me to see the love that our Heavenly Father has for all his creations.”

Louis remembered her father as patient, understanding and devoted to his family. “He was the best father that I could ever imagine having, and the best grandfather and papa for the kids,” she said.

Bridger and Lindsey Frampton said they sometimes pause while spending time with their children to appreciate being together. “There are days when we just sit there with our kids. We’re looking at all of them and just thankful we have all of them,” Bridger said.

The couple also described the support their family received from ward members, friends and neighbors. Lindsey said teachers checked on her children, communicated with the family and helped students navigate difficult moments during the year.

Bishop Schaub said the experience has changed his understanding of how the Atonement of Jesus Christ can help him. He said he had once thought chiefly of his own mistakes, but has since considered how the Savior helps people affected by the mistakes of others.

Two days after the attack, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles traveled to Michigan to minister to those affected. He acknowledged then that local Church members had “much yet to experience and work through” and expressed confidence in their faith and the influence of the Holy Ghost.

Support Beyond the Congregation

Elder Joni L. Koch of the United States Northeast Area Presidency said Church members, neighbors and community leaders had grown closer during the past year. “This is one of those moments in which we all feel as one, feel united,” he said of the gathering.

Grand Blanc Township Supervisor Scott Bennett said the community rallied around victims and their families after the attack. He said the response also brought many residents closer to local members of the Church.

“From the onset of this tragedy, we saw good conquering evil,” Bennett said. He said he wanted to remember the care residents showed one another and the refusal to live in fear.

The Church donated semitruck loads of food and supplies to FISH of Grand Blanc, a local food bank, in November 2025 and again in September 2026 to thank the community for its support. The September donation included about 40,000 pounds of food.

President Sanchez said he hopes those relationships continue to grow as the congregation prepares for its new meetinghouse. “My greatest hope is that people will come and walk away having felt God’s love for them and with a desire to share that love with others,” he said.

What would you like to say to Latter-day Saints and community members in Grand Blanc as they begin rebuilding? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Holly Wallace

Holly Wallace is a writer and storyteller drawn to meaningful questions and overlooked details. Her work explores Latter-day Saint life and culture through faithful inquiry, inviting readers to pause, consider, and engage more deeply with what matters most.