Project includes new additions and revamped grounds.
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) In the foreground, steel fabricated stairs stand ready for installation in the St. George Utah Temple as workers prep the exterior temple for painting.
| March 29, 2022, 3:39 p.m.
More than two years after renovations to the St. George Temple began, work on the 145-year-old structure is nearing completion, according to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The pioneer-era temple closed in November 2019 and is scheduled to reopen later this year.
The project includes seismic upgrades, with steel added to the structure’s original wood trusses and structural reinforcement of the temple’s stone foundation. The temple’s mechanical and electrical systems have also been upgraded.
“One of the main things that we’ve done the last year is to finish all the primary upgrades we needed to do to the historic temple,” project manager Eric Jamison said in a news release this week.
Additions built in the 20th century were torn down to make room for the new additions — the one on the west side of the temple is “well underway,” according to the release, and the exterior of the north addition is ready for painting.
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) Arched doorways of maple and poplar in the north addition of the St. George Utah Temple replicate original millwork in the historic temple.
Maple and poplar millwork, patterned after the original woodwork in the historic temple, has been installed in the new additions.
“When patrons walk into the north entrance of the temple, they’ll feel like they’re in the historic temple,” said Andy Kirby, the church’s director of historic temple renovations, “and that’s consistent throughout the building.”
A brides’ exit and plaza have been added to the east side of the annex, along with a new baptistry entrance and exit on the temple’s south side.
Work on the temple grounds — including walkways, planters and landscaping — is nearing completion. Drought-tolerant shrubbery and trees are being planted, and a smart weather irrigation system that will know the optimum time to water the vegetation is being installed.
“We all want the people to feel peace, even on the grounds,” said Chris Reilly, landscape project manager from Stratton and Bratt. “The grounds [are] an extension of the temple.”
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) Landscapers prepare the smart irrigation system and plants on the St. George Utah Temple grounds.
Ground was broken on the St. George Temple at 250 E. 400 South — constructed of red sandstone and plastered over in white — on Nov. 9, 1871. It was dedicated April 6, 1877, becoming the third Latter-day Saint temple completed and the first in Utah. It became the oldest actively used Latter-day Saint temple.
(The first, in Kirtland, Ohio, is owned and operated by the Community of Christ, formerly known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The second, in Nauvoo, Ill., was destroyed; a replica on the same site was dedicated in 2002 by the Utah-based faith.)
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) An aerial view of the St. George Temple.
The St. George Temple’s cupola was replaced in 1883 after a lightning strike, and the first annex was also added that year. Previous renovations were completed in 1917, 1938 and 1975, and the temple was rededicated Nov. 11, 1975.
While renovations continue on the historic St. George Temple, construction continues on a second temple in the southern Utah city. Ground was broken on the Red Cliffs Temple near 3000 East 1580 South in November 2020.
(Photo courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Patricia, talk to media at the groundbreaking of the Red Cliffs Utah Temple on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020.
Two other pioneer-era Utah temples — the iconic six-spired Salt Lake Temple, now shrouded in scaffolding, and the treasured Manti Temple — are undergoing major renovations as well.
Latter-day Saints consider temples “Houses of the Lord,” places where devout members participate in their faith’s highest rites.
FAQs
George Utah Temple (1877) just finished a 4 year renovation.
Is St George getting another temple? ›
Nelson announced plans in October 2018 general conference for a second temple in the area. The Washington County name was still referenced when the site location — northeast of 3000 East and 1580 South in southeastern St. George — and preliminary building size were published a year later, in November 2019.
Who will rededicate the St. George Temple? ›
Holland, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, will rededicate the St. George Utah Temple next month. President Holland will preside at the two dedicatory sessions, at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., on Dec. 10, 2023.
How many people went through the St. George Temple Open house? ›
Such was the case with the recent public open house of the St. George Utah Temple, where nearly 670,000 guests toured the recently renovated and expanded temple, the Church's oldest still in operation following its 1877 dedication.
How many sealing rooms are in the St. George Temple? ›
The St. George Temple is the oldest temple still actively used by the church. It has three ordinance rooms and 18 sealing rooms, covering a total floor area of 143,969 square feet (13,400 m2).
How long does it usually take to build an LDS temple? ›
Some temples are announced and it takes a decade or more, others are announced and are completed within a year.
Is St. George heavily Mormon? ›
St. George's population is about 65% Mormon (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) two dozen other churches are active, including Assembly of God, Episcopal, Lutheran, Baptist, Catholic, Christian Science, Methodist and Presbyterian.
Why is there no angel Moroni on the St George Temple? ›
After Russell M. Nelson became president of the Church in 2018, a shift in focus led to the elimination of the angel Moroni as a standard design feature on Latter-day Saint temples. There are now 90 temples that do not have an angel Moroni statue.
Why doesn t the St George Temple have a Moroni? ›
And even though the St. George, Logan, and Manti temples all have towers, they are topped with simple weathervanes rather than the angel Moroni. Some temples have had to delay the placement of the angel Moroni because of building code restrictions.
Why is the St. George Temple so white? ›
Because of aging and corrosion, the original wood dome exterior was replaced entirely with white fiberglass in the 1990s. EXTERIOR ART GLASS: The windows of the St. George Utah Temple have always had clear glass, similar to other temples such as Nauvoo, Kirtland, and Salt Lake.
Located on a 14-acre site at the northeast corner of 3000 East and 1580 South, the temple is the second in St. George and the 20th completed in Utah.
What is the largest LDS temple? ›
The Salt Lake Temple is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. At 253,015 square feet (23,505.9 m2), it is the largest Latter-day Saint temple by floor area.
What is the busiest LDS temple in the world? ›
Jordan River Utah Temple - Wikipedia.
When did the St George temple close for renovation? ›
George Utah Temple, the first house of the Lord completed in Utah, was originally dedicated in 1877. After an extensive renovation, it was rededicated in 1975 by President Spencer W. Kimball. The temple has been closed since November 2019, following an announcement by Church President Russell M.
What do you wear to the St George temple Open House? ›
Comfortable shoes and modest dress are recommended, and the temple is wheelchair accessible. The tours for the St. George Utah Temple are expected to take about 90 minutes.
How long is the new temple session? ›
Still the same length.
My interviewees said that despite some time-consuming elements being cut, such as the passing of tokens by hand to everyone in the room, the additions mean the endowment is running about the same length it was shortened to in 2019, roughly 90 to 105 minutes.
How long will Temple Square be closed? ›
The temple is expected to reopen in 2024/25 with a public open houses. Experience the peace and tranquility of beautiful Temple Square with a complimentary tour of Utah's most visited attraction. Tours of the beautifully landscaped 10-acre property are available in 40 languages.
When did the St George Temple close for renovation? ›
George Utah Temple, the first house of the Lord completed in Utah, was originally dedicated in 1877. After an extensive renovation, it was rededicated in 1975 by President Spencer W. Kimball. The temple has been closed since November 2019, following an announcement by Church President Russell M.
How long does LDS temple dedication last? ›
The day-long ceremony included speeches, music, the administration of the sacrament, a dedicatory prayer, and the Hosanna Shout.
