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Calgary Alberta Temple

Coordinates: 51°8′25.3356″N 114°13′54.5016″W / 51.140371000°N 114.231806000°W / 51.140371000; -114.231806000
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Calgary Alberta Temple
Calgary Alberta Temple at night
Map
Number140
Dedication28 October 2012, by Thomas S. Monson
Site10.17 acres (4.12 ha)
Floor area33,000 sq ft (3,100 m2)
Height115 ft (35 m)
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Church chronology
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Additional information
Announced4 October 2008, by Thomas S. Monson
Groundbreaking15 May 2010, by Donald L. Hallstrom
Open house29 September-20 October 2012
Current presidentG. Lawrence Spackman[1]
LocationCalgary, Canada
Geographic coordinates51°8′25.3356″N 114°13′54.5016″W / 51.140371000°N 114.231806000°W / 51.140371000; -114.231806000
Exterior finishGray granite from China
Baptistries1
Ordinance rooms2 (two-stage progressive)
Sealing rooms3
NotesAnnounced at the 178th Semiannual General Conference.
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The Calgary Alberta Temple is the 140th temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). The intent to build the temple was announced on October 4, 2008, by church president Thomas S. Monson, during general conference.[2] It was the third temple built in Alberta. The first, previously known as the Alberta Temple, was built in Cardston in 1923. The Edmonton Alberta Temple opened in 1999.

The temple has a single attached central spire with a statue of the angel Moroni.[3] This temple was designed by Abbarch Architecture, an architectural firm located in Vancouver, British Columbia.[4] A groundbreaking ceremony, to signify the beginning of construction, was held on May 15, 2010, conducted by Donald L. Hallstrom of the Presidency of the Seventy.[5]

The Calgary Alberta Temple.
A view of the Calgary Alberta Temple.

History

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Church president Thomas S. Monson announced the intent to build the Calgary Alberta Temple on 4 October 2008, during general conference.[6][7] At the time, the temple was intended to serve over 18,000 church members in Calgary and the surrounding areas. The temple is located adjacent to the church's Royal Oak chapel in northwest Calgary.[8][9]

The groundbreaking on May 15, 2010[10] was presided over by Donald L. Hallstrom, with other church general authorities and area leaders in attendance, including William R. Walker and Richard K. Melchin.[11] After construction was completed, a public open house was held from September 29 to October 20, 2012,[12][13] where over 100,000 people toured the temple.[14] A cultural celebration was held October 27, 2012,[15] and the temple was dedicated by Monson the following day.[16][17]

The first president of the temple was Blair S. Bennett, a former stake president and area seventy from Sherwood Park, Alberta.

In 2020, like all the church's others, the Calgary Alberta Temple was closed for a time in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[18]

Design and architecture

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Designed by Abbarch Architecture,[4] the temple's traditional Latter-day Saint design and architecture reflects both the cultural heritage of Alberta and its spiritual significance to the church.

The temple is on a 10.17-acre plot, with landscaping of bushes, flower beds, and trees.[19] These elements are designed to provide a tranquil setting to enhance the sacred atmosphere of the site.

The structure stands three stories tall and is constructed with gray granite from China.[19] The exterior has a single attached central spire topped with a statue of the angel Moroni,[3] chosen for their symbolic significance and alignment with temple traditions.

The interior has stained-glass windows and other decorative elements like railings and doorknobs centered around a wheat stalk motif to represent Alberta’s agriculture.[19] The interior has a green and gold color scheme. There is “a hand-painted mural of a scenic Alberta landscape,” in one room of the temple, with other paintings throughout.[20] The temple includes two instruction rooms, three sealing rooms, and a baptistry,[3] each designed for ceremonial use.

The design uses elements representing the history and heritage of Alberta, to provide deeper spiritual meaning to the temple's appearance and function. Symbolism is important to church members and includes the wheat stalk motif found throughout the temple, which represents the region’s long agricultural history.

Temple presidents

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The church's temples are directed by a temple president and matron, each 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.[21]

Serving from 2012 to 2015, the first president of the Calgary Alberta Temple was Blair S. Bennett, with Mary Jane E. Bennett serving as matron.[21][22] As of 2024, G. Lawrence Spackman is the president, with Flora E. Spackman as matron.[23]

Admittance

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On June 6, 2012, the church announced the public open house that was held from September 29 to October 20, 2012 (excluding Sundays).[24] The temple was dedicated by Thomas S. Monson on October 28, 2012.[25]

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.[26]

See also

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Temples in Alberta (edit)

Canada Temples
Temples in Canada (edit)

= Operating
= Under construction
= Announced
= Temporarily Closed

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References

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  1. ^ "New Temple Leaders Called to Serve in 2022", Newsroom, LDS Church, 24 October 2022 [26 May 2022], retrieved 24 October 2022
  2. ^ Church, President Thomas S. Monson President of the. "Welcome to Conference". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  3. ^ a b c "Calgary Alberta Temple | ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org". Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  4. ^ a b "Calgary Alberta Temple: Temple facts". Church News. 2012-11-03. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  5. ^ "Temple in Calgary now under way". Church News. 2010-05-22. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  6. ^ Mikita, Carole (October 4, 2008), LDS Church plans temples in Rome, 4 other locations, KSL-TV, retrieved 2012-10-26
  7. ^ Hill, Greg (February 28, 2009), "Another temple for Alberta: Province's third, in Calgary, fills gap between Edmonton, Cardston", Church News, retrieved 2012-10-26
  8. ^ "New Temple Site Locations Announced", Newsroom (Press release), LDS Church, October 7, 2008, retrieved 2012-10-26
  9. ^ Myers, Sean (October 6, 2008), "Mormon temple slated for N.W.", Calgary Herald, p. B3. Reprint at Canada.com, retrieved 2008-10-08.
  10. ^ Gerson, Jen (May 16, 2010), "Mormons break ground on long-awaited temple", Calgary Herald, p. A3. Reprint Archived 2013-10-21 at the Wayback Machine at Canada.com, retrieved 2012-10-30.
  11. ^ Miller, Ian (May 22, 2010), "Temple in Calgary now under way", Church News, retrieved 2012-10-26
  12. ^ Ferguson, Eva (September 27, 2012), "New Mormon temple in city's northwest unveiled to the public", Calgary Herald, retrieved 2012-10-26
  13. ^ Swensen, Jason (September 28, 2012), "Calgary Alberta Temple: Enthusiasm for temple", Church News, retrieved 2012-10-26
  14. ^ Nolais, Jeremy (October 23, 2012), "Calgary Mormon temple visited by more than 100K", Metro Calgary, archived from the original on October 28, 2012, retrieved 2012-10-26
  15. ^ Avant, Gerry (Oct 27, 2012), "Calgary Alberta Temple: Youth present celebration on eve of dedication", Church News, retrieved 2012-10-30
  16. ^ Avant, Gerry (October 28, 2012), "Calgary Alberta Temple: Dedication marks 140th operating temple for Church", Church News, retrieved 2012-10-30
  17. ^ "Church President Dedicates 140th Temple", Newsroom (Press release), LDS Church, October 28, 2012, retrieved 2012-10-30
  18. ^ 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.
  19. ^ a b c "Calgary Alberta Temple". Church News. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  20. ^ "Calgary Alberta Canada Temple To Open for Public Tours". newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. 2012-09-26. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  21. ^ a b "Presidents and Matrons of the Calgary Alberta Temple | ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org". Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  22. ^ "New temple presidents". Church News. 2012-06-02. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  23. ^ "Read about the new presidents and matrons called to serve at these 8 temples". Church News. 2022-02-03. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  24. ^ "Dedication, open house announced for Calgary Alberta LDS Temple". Deseret News. 2012-06-06. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  25. ^ "Calgary Alberta Temple: Dedication day". Church News. 2012-11-03. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  26. ^ "Inside Temples". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
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