Richmond Virginia Temple

The Richmond Virginia Temple is the 177th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Glen Allen, Virginia, a suburb of Richmond. The Richmond Temple is the church's first temple in the state of Virginia.

Richmond Virginia Temple
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
← San Juan Puerto Rico Temple Richmond Virginia Temple → Helena Montana Temple
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 / 37.6728; -77.5351
Exterior finish	Moleanos limestone
Temple design	Jeffersonian Doric order, single-spire
Baptistries	1
Ordinance rooms	4
Sealing rooms	3
(edit)

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

• LDS Church portal

Hartford

Detroit

Harrison

Manhattan

Palmyra

Cleveland

Columbus

Kirtland

Harrisburg

Philadelphia

Pittsburgh

Richmond

Roanoke

Winchester

Washington D.C.

Toronto

Montreal

Temples in the Mid-Atlantic States (edit)

• = 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

1. https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/president-dallin-h-oaks-dedicates-the-richmond-virginia-temple
2. "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.
3. Groundbreaking Dates Announced for Temples in Virginia, the Philippines, and Utah
4. "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.
5. "7 New Temples Announced during April 2018 General Conference", Newsroom, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2018-04-01
6. Talya Cunningham (March 3, 2020), Ahead of Mormon temple groundbreaking, church donates 40,000 pounds of goods, WRIC-TV
7. "Construction on Richmond-Area Mormon Temple Set for Spring", U.S. News & World Report, Associated Press, January 24, 2020
8. "Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Richmond Virginia Temple". Church of Jesus Christ Temples. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
9. "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. 7 May 2023. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. "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