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Spokane Washington Temple

Coordinates: 47°37′12.58679″N 117°13′14.48400″W / 47.6201629972°N 117.2206900000°W / 47.6201629972; -117.2206900000
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Spokane Washington Temple
Map
Number59
DedicationAugust 21, 1999, by Gordon B. Hinckley
Site2 acres (0.81 ha)
Floor area10,700 sq ft (990 m2)
Height71 ft (22 m)
Official website • News & images
Church chronology
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Guayaquil Ecuador Temple
Spokane Washington Temple 		→
Columbus Ohio Temple
Additional information
AnnouncedAugust 13, 1998, by Gordon B. Hinckley
GroundbreakingOctober 10, 1998, by F. Melvin Hammond
Open houseAugust 6-14, 1999
LocationVeradale, Washington, United States
Geographic coordinates47°37′12.58679″N 117°13′14.48400″W / 47.6201629972°N 117.2206900000°W / 47.6201629972; -117.2206900000
Exterior finishGranite
Temple designClassic modern, single-spire design
Baptistries1
Ordinance rooms2 (two-stage progressive)
Sealing rooms2
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The Spokane Washington Temple is the 59th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is located in Spokane County, Washington. Announced on August 13, 1998 by the church's First Presidency, it became the second temple in Washington state.[1][2] At the time of its construction, it served about 50,000 church members in eastern Washington, northern Idaho, and western Montana.[3]

It has a single spire with a statue of the angel Moroni at its top and followed the standardized smaller temple design introduced by the church in the late 1990s. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on October 10, 1998, with F. Melvin Hammond of the Seventy, presiding. Constructed on a 2-acre site, the building includes a granite exterior and landscaped grounds. The structure is 10,700 square feet and has two ordinance rooms, two sealing rooms, and a baptistry. During a public open house held from August 6 to August 14, 1999, approximately 52,000 visitors toured the temple. The temple was dedicated by church president Gordon B. Hinckley from August 21–23, 1999, in 11 sessions attended by more than 16,000 church members. In March 2009, a new angel Moroni statue was installed on the temple’s spire, replacing the original and aligning it to face west to match the temple’s orientation.

History

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The Spokane Washington Temple was announced by the First Presidency on August 13, 1998.[1] On October 10, 1998, the church announced that the temple would be constructed on a 4.2-acre property located at 13710 East 40th Avenue in Spokane, Washington.[4] Preliminary plans called for a one-story structure of approximately 10,700 square feet.[1] A groundbreaking ceremony took place on October 10, 1998, marking the commencement of construction. This ceremony was presided over by F. Melvin Hammond, a general authority, and was attended by local church members and community leaders.[1] Its groundbreaking occurred on the same day as the one for the Detroit Michigan Temple, marking the first time that groundbreaking ceremonies were held on the same day for two temples.[5]

Following the completion of the temple, a public open house was take place from August 6 to August 14, 1999. During the open house, approximately 51,950 people visited the temple, including government, civic, and religious leaders who attended VIP tours on August 5.[6] Spokane Mayor John Talbott remarked, “You could almost sense the spiritual component of the progression [through the temple]”.[1]

The temple was dedicated on August 21, 1999, by Hinckley, with 11 dedicatory sessions across three days, and attended by more than 16,000 church members.[7] In March 2009, a new angel Moroni statue was placed on the spire. Unlike the original, which faced east, the new statue was positioned facing west—the same orientation as the temple itself.[8]

In 2020, along with all the church's others, the Spokane Washington Temple was closed for a time in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[9]

Design and architecture

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The building uses a modern interpretation of traditional Latter-day Saint temple design, emphasizing simplicity and reverence in its architectural expression. The temple was designed by the church's architectural department.[10] It is on a 4.2-acre plot in the suburb of Opportunity, Spokane, Washington. The site was previously used as a softball field on church recreational property before being repurposed for the temple. The landscaping includes lawns and native trees.[1]

The temple is one-story, measuring 144 feet by 77 feet, with a total floor area of 10,700 square feet.[11] The exterior of the building has a granite finish.[10]

The temple interior includes a baptistry, two ordinance rooms, and two sealing rooms.[10] Like most church temples, the baptismal font is placed upon twelve oxen, representing the Twelve Tribes of Israel.[12]

Temple presidents

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The church's temples are directed by a temple president and matron, each typically serving for a term of three years. The president and matron oversee the administration of temple operations and provide guidance and training for both temple patrons and staff.[13] Serving from 1999 to 2004, Frank E. Wagstaff the first president, with Jane D. Wagstaff serving as matron.[14][15] As of 2025, Orson N. Daines is the president, with Donna M. Daines serving as matron.[16]

Admittance

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On July 10, 1999, the church announced the public open house that was held from August 6 to August 14, 1999 (excluding Sunday). The temple was dedicated by Gordon B. Hinckley from August 21 to August 23, 1999, in 11 sessions.[1]

Like all the church's temples, it is not used for Sunday worship services. To members of the church, temples are regarded as sacred houses of the Lord. Once dedicated, only church members with a current temple recommend can enter for worship.[10]

See also

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Temples in and near Washington (edit)

Temples in Washington or with districts
extending into Washington (edit)
= Operating
= Under construction
= Announced
= Temporarily Closed

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Spokane Washington Temple". Church News. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  2. ^ "NEWS/COMMENTARY - Mormons from Spokane and the Inland Northwest reflect on Mitt Romney, Jon Huntsman and the Book of Mormon". Inlander.com. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  3. ^ Times. "Mormon church devotes month to community - Spokesman.com - Aug. 27, 2011". Spokesman.com. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  4. ^ Blocker, Kevin (October 11, 1998). "Prospect of Valley temple pleases Mormons". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  5. ^ "Church Newsroom - Official Newsroom of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints". newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  6. ^ "11,000 attend first two days of temple open house". Church News. August 14, 1999. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  7. ^ "Cover Story: Amid rays of sunshine, 59th temple dedicated". Church News. August 28, 1999. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  8. ^ "Latest News on the Spokane Washington Temple". Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ a b c d "Spokane Washington Temple". Church News. March 15, 2010. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  11. ^ "Facts, figures: Spokane Washington Temple". Church News. August 28, 1999. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  12. ^ Magazines, Michael R. Morris Church. "Symbolism and Temple Preparation". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  13. ^ "Presidents and Matrons of the Spokane Washington Temple | ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org". Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  14. ^ "New Temple Presidents, Matrons Begin Service". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  15. ^ "New temple presidents". Church News. June 26, 1999. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  16. ^ "Read about the new presidents and matrons of 8 temples — from Alaska to Brazil". Church News. March 20, 2025. Retrieved May 9, 2025.

Additional reading

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