Albert Lea members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have a lot to be thankful for.

This year, the congregation is celebrating its 10th anniversary since its chapel was completed at the corner of Minnesota Highway 13 and Sundance Lane.

Before that, members attended church services with the Austin congregation.

Steve Kurth, the first branch president of the Albert Lea congregation, said the local branch held its first meeting in Albert Lea in June of 1997.

For the first year, meetings were held in the City Arena; a year later, meetings were moved to a former dance studio on South Washington Avenue.

Around the same time, the church purchased land at the corner of Highway 13 and Sundance Lane and began plans for the construction of a new chapel.

The building was completed in 2001, at which time the congregation moved into the new facility.

There are currently about 75 families in the Albert Lea membership.

The doctrines of the church teach to believe in God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost, among many other principles.

Members strive to be followers of Christ, living to serve him and teach others about his plan for them.

They also believe that God still speaks to humankind, that he has called new apostles and prophets and that revelation flows today as it did anciently.