WATCH: McLaren tops out on Sutton Coldfield church

McLaren Construction Midlands and North says it’s marked a significant milestone on a West Midlands church build, after steelwork for the building’s 38 metre-tall spire was completed.

Work on the main building on Penns Lane, under construction for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, got under way in April 2022.

The project includes a 10,800 sq ft, one-storey church and spire, along with a multi-purpose building with residential accommodation and landscaped grounds. Planning permission for the scheme was granted in December 2024.

Progress has also been made on the building’s bespoke stonework, with the first stones successfully dry laid in November following extensive collaboration between McLaren Construction, the client, and specialist supplier LSI at its factory in Portugal.

Luke Arnold, Regional Director at McLaren Construction Midlands and North, said the firm is “extremely proud” of the progress being made on the Birmingham England Temple project.

“Seeing the steel frame rise and the spire lifted into place is a pivotal moment for everyone involved,” he said.

“This project demands exceptional attention to detail, from the precision of the steelwork to the craftsmanship of the stone façade, and our team continues to work closely with the Church and project partners to deliver a building of enduring quality and significance.”

A total of 251.578 metric tons of steel will be incorporated across two buildings on the site, and steel erection is now underway on the main building. The installation of the Temple’s spire which completed last month, represents a major landmark in the programme of works.

The church has more than 190,000 members in the United Kingdom, with the Sutton Coldfield building set to be the church’s third temple in the country.

Carl Champagnie, Senior Project Manager at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, said: “We are very pleased with the McLaren team associated with this project. The spirit in which the team are working together, conveys they have clearly understood the importance of it and meeting expectations – evident from the groundworks executed to date.

“We are impressed with the efficiency in which the steel frame for the temple has been erected and we look forward to the coming months as the project continues to take shape.”