New church building to rise in Walker

The Walker Branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will break ground on a new building at 11 a.m. today at the existing church property on Highway 395 in Walker, Calif.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the fastest growing churches in the world, with membership now at more than 13 million. There are more than 100,000 saints in Nevada or about 7.5 percent of the population.

Members of the church established the first American settlement in Nevada, then part of the Utah Territory, at Mormon Station in 1851 where Genoa is now located.

The Walker Branch is part of the Carson City Stake which includes congregations from Carson City, Gardnerville, Minden, Dayton, South Lake Tahoe and the Walker region. Stakes and wards have no paid ministry and are operated entirely on a volunteer basis by their members.

"This building will be a great blessing to the entire Antelope Valley," Branch President Jim Hales said. "I believe the members of the church and all of the members of the community will feel our Heavenly Father's love as this building is constructed and we extend a welcome to all to attend our services."

The Walker Branch is also part of the Reno Temple district where members may participate in eternal ordinances.