Richmond Virginia Temple
The Richmond Virginia Temple is the 177th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Glenn Allen, Virginia, a suburb of Richmond. The Richmond Temple is the church's first temple in the state of Virginia.
Richmond Virginia Temple | ||||
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Number | 177 | |||
Dedication | 7 May 2023, by Dallin H. Oaks[1] | |||
Site | 12 acres (4.9 ha) | |||
Floor area | 39,202 sq ft (3,642.0 m2) | |||
Height | 164 ft (50 m) | |||
Official website • News & images | ||||
Church chronology | ||||
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Additional information | ||||
Announced | 1 April 2018, by Russell M. Nelson[2] | |||
Groundbreaking | 11 April 2020, by Randall K. Bennett[3] | |||
Open house | March 25-April 15, 2023 | |||
Current president | Larry John Willis[4] | |||
Designed by | Lanny Herron | |||
Location | Glen Allen, Virginia, United States | |||
Geographic coordinates | 37.6728°N 77.5351°W | |||
Exterior finish | Moleanos limestone | |||
Temple design | Jeffersonian Doric order, single-spire | |||
Baptistries | 1 | |||
Ordinance rooms | 4 | |||
Sealing rooms | 3 | |||
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History
The intent to construct the temple was announced by church president Russell M. Nelson on April 1, 2018, concurrently with 6 other temples. At the time, the number of operating and announced temples was 189.[5]
On April 11, 2020, a groundbreaking to signify the beginning of construction was held, with Randall K. Bennett, president of the church's North America Northeast Area, presiding.[6][7] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the groundbreaking ceremony was limited to a handful of leaders and was not broadcast to meetinghouses in the temple district as originally planned.[8] The temple was dedicated over two sessions on May 7, 2023 by Dallin H. Oaks.[9]
Architecture
The temple is built in a blend of Georgian, Federal, and Jeffersonian styles[10] with Doric order, with inspiration taken from Monticello, the University of Virginia, the city of Williamsburg, and other locations across the state of Virginia.[11] The exterior hosts interlocking diamond circles and the dogwood flower.[12] The temple is 169 ft. 9 in. tall, with a single spire with the Angel Moroni, and four columns at the front entrance.
Blue, gold, and red on exterior glass and interior furnishings pulls from early American color palettes,[12][10] and the foyer depicts a 100-year-old art glass piece of Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd from an old, East Coast Protestant church.[10] The interior designs of the temple, including the foyer, grand staircase, and carpets, accentuate Jeffersonian ideas and Colonial designs.[12][10]
See also

= Operating
= Under construction
= Announced
= Temporarily Closed
= Historical/Efforts Suspended
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Virginia
- Comparison of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- List of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- List of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by geographic region
- Temple architecture (Latter-day Saints)
References
- https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/president-dallin-h-oaks-dedicates-the-richmond-virginia-temple
- "Seven Temples Announced as April 2018 General Conference Closes: Mormon temples to be built in Asia, Europe, North and South America". Newsroom. LDS Church. 1 April 2018.
- Groundbreaking Dates Announced for Temples in Virginia, the Philippines, and Utah
- "Read about the new leaders of temples in Japan, Canada, Mexico and more". Church News. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
- "7 New Temples Announced during April 2018 General Conference", Newsroom, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2018-04-01
- Talya Cunningham (March 3, 2020), Ahead of Mormon temple groundbreaking, church donates 40,000 pounds of goods, WRIC-TV
- Construction on Richmond-Area Mormon Temple Set for Spring, U.S. News & World Report, Associated Press, January 24, 2020
- "Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Richmond Virginia Temple". Church of Jesus Christ Temples. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
- "President Dallin H. Oaks Dedicates Richmond Virginia Temple: 'The work of the temples is centered in Jesus Christ,' Apostle says". Newsroom. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
- Taylor, Scott (20 March 2023). "Take a look inside as the doors open to the Richmond Virginia Temple, Virginia's first: Tours begin with March 20 media day, as Church and project leaders talk about the temple's design and purpose". The Church News. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
- Walker, Sydney (29 August 2019). "Richmond Virginia Temple features colonial design — take a look at the renderings here". The Church News. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
- "Richmond Virginia Temple Fact Sheet" (PDF). Newsroom. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
External links
- Church Newsroom of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Richmond Virginia Temple at ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org
- Richmond Virginia Temple at ChurchofJesusChrist.org