London England Temple
Number12
DedicationSeptember 7, 1958, by David O. McKay
Site32 acres (13 ha)
Floor area42,652 sq ft (3,962.5 m2)
Height190 ft (58 m)
Official website • News & images
Church chronology
←
Hamilton New Zealand Temple
London England Temple		 →
Oakland California Temple
Additional information
AnnouncedFebruary 17, 1955, by David O. McKay
GroundbreakingAugust 27, 1955, by David O. McKay
Open houseAugust 16 – September 3, 1958
October 8–14, 1992
RededicatedOctober 18, 1992, by Gordon B. Hinckley
Current presidentDavid R. Irwin (2019- )
Designed byEdward O. Anderson
LocationNewchapel, Surrey, England
Geographic coordinates51°9′45.23759″N 0°3′7.851599″W / 51.1625659972°N 0.05218099972°W / 51.1625659972; -0.05218099972
Exterior finishbrick masonry faced with white Portland limestone; the spire is lead-coated copper
Temple designModern contemporary, single spire
Baptistries1
Ordinance rooms4 (Movie, stationary)
Sealing rooms7
Clothing rentalYes
Visitors' centerYes
()

The London England Temple (formerly the London Temple) is the twelfth operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and is located in Newchapel, Surrey, England.[1] Despite its name, it is not located within London or Greater London.

The temple serves church members in southern and central England, south Wales, and Egypt.[2]

History

The site of the original 34,000 square foot building, located twenty-five miles south of London, was selected in 1952 by David O. McKay and Stayner Richards.[3] Building of the temple began on 27 August 1955, and the temple was dedicated on 7 September 1958. Over 76,000 people toured the building during the public open house before it was dedicated.[4] It was the first LDS temple to be built in the United Kingdom. Its construction was part of a growth in the number of temples, led by David O. McKay, who performed the dedication.[3]

After thirty-two years, the temple was closed in 1990 for remodeling and refurbishing. An additional 8,500 square feet (790 m2) were added, as well as a fourth floor. In October 1992, Gordon B. Hinckley rededicated the London England Temple, after a two-week public open house. A second British temple was built in 1998 in Chorley, Lancashire.[5]

A statue of the angel Moroni was placed atop the temple at the conclusion of the Jubilee Celebration. Included in the Jubilee project was the restoring the Manor House and the visitors center, adding new mission offices to the temple site and renovating the accommodation center for temple patrons.[6]

In 2020, like all the church's other temples, the London England Temple was closed in response to the coronavirus pandemic.[7]

Description

The 42,775-square-foot (3,974 m2) temple is constructed of concrete and steel, with brick walls faced with white Portland stone. The 165 ft (50 m) spire is sheathed in copper[8][9] and the building includes a baptistry, four instruction rooms and eight sealing rooms.[10] Like other LDS temples, a temple recommend is required for church members to enter. Surrounding the temple is a forty-room mansion, named the Manor House, ten acres of formal grounds, and a large pond.[10][11]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Mays, Kenneth. "Picturing history: London England Temple", Deseret News, 16 October 2013. Retrieved on 17 March 2020.
  2. ↑ "London England Temple". Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  3. 1 2 Prescott, Marianne Holman. "Why the Angel Moroni statue stopped traffic and other interesting facts about the London temple on its 60th anniversary", Church News, 9 August 2019. Retrieved on 17 March 2020.
  4. ↑ "London's Mormon Temple", TIME, 15 September 1958, archived from the original on 10 May 2007, retrieved 27 July 2007, The crowds of visitors (76,324 by head count)
  5. ↑ Cowan, Richard O. (2007). A Tale of Two Temples. Regional Studies in Latter-day Saint Church History. Vol. 7: The British Isles. Provo: BYU Religious Studies Center. pp. 219–236. ISBN 978-0-8425-2672-2. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  6. ↑ Swinton, Heidi (19 December 2008). "Angel Moroni takes flight to London Temple". Church News. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
  7. ↑ Stack, Peggy Fletcher. "All Latter-day Saint temples to close due to coronavirus", The Salt Lake Tribune, 26 March 2020. Retrieved on 28 March 2020.
  8. ↑ "London England Temple". The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  9. ↑ "Mormons' Temple In Britain". The Times. No. 54133. London. 24 April 1958. p. 6.
  10. 1 2 "London England Temple". ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  11. ↑ Phillips, Jamie (20 October 2019). "Surrey's 17 most iconic buildings including Guildford Cathedral and the Mormon temple in Newchapel". Surrey Advertiser. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
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