London England Temple

London England Temple
Number	12
Dedication	September 7, 1958, by David O. McKay
Site	32 acres (13 ha)
Floor area	42,652 sq ft (3,962.5 m2)
Height	190 ft (58 m)
Official website • News & images
Church chronology
← Hamilton New Zealand Temple London England Temple → Oakland California Temple
Additional information
Announced	February 17, 1955, by David O. McKay
Groundbreaking	August 27, 1955, by David O. McKay
Open house	August 16 – September 3, 1958 October 8–14, 1992
Rededicated	October 18, 1992, by Gordon B. Hinckley
Current president	David R. Irwin (2019- )
Designed by	Edward O. Anderson
Location	Newchapel, Surrey, England
Geographic coordinates	51°9′45.23759″N 0°3′7.851599″W / 51.1625659972°N 0.05218099972°W / 51.1625659972; -0.05218099972
Exterior finish	brick masonry faced with white Portland limestone; the spire is lead-coated copper
Temple design	Modern contemporary, single spire
Baptistries	1
Ordinance rooms	4 (Movie, stationary)
Sealing rooms	7
Clothing rental	Yes
Visitors' center	Yes
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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

• 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
• List of places of worship in Tandridge (district)
• Temple architecture (Latter-day Saints)
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in England

References

Gallery

• 
  View of temple from front gate
• 
  Side view of temple
• 
  Back view of temple
• 
  Angel Moroni statue on spire

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to London England Temple.