Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple
Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple
Number94
DedicationJuly 16, 2000, by Gordon B. Hinckley
Site6.3 acres (2.5 ha)
Floor area10,890 sq ft (1,012 m2)
Height71 ft (22 m)
Official website • News & images
Church chronology
←
Veracruz Mexico Temple
Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple		 →
Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple
Additional information
AnnouncedOctober 14, 1998, by Gordon B. Hinckley
GroundbreakingMay 8, 1999, by Monte J. Brough
Open houseJuly 1–8, 2000
RededicatedNovember 17, 2019, by Quentin L. Cook
Current presidentTerrence Michael Donahue
Designed byPaul Tessier & Associates and Church A&E Services.
LocationBaton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
Geographic coordinates30°21′45.59039″N 91°6′30.18599″W / 30.3626639972°N 91.1083849972°W / 30.3626639972; -91.1083849972
Exterior finishImperial Danby White marble from Vermont
Temple designClassic modern, single-spire design
Baptistries1
Ordinance rooms2 (two-stage progressive)
Sealing rooms2
()

The Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple is the 94th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

History

The first Mormon missionaries arrived in Louisiana in 1841. A few joined the church, but left Louisiana to be with the rest of the body of the church. New Orleans was the port of entry to the United States for most of the early British converts of the church. Between 1840 and 1855, around 18,500 members crossed the ocean to the U.S. and 17,600 of them first arrived in New Orleans. Because of this, most church members in New Orleans were either emigrants who could not yet afford to go further or church agents who helped the emigrants continue their journey. After 1855 when the last of the emigrants left New Orleans the church no longer had a presence in the Louisiana. In 1895 Mormon missionaries were sent again to the state and today there are more than 24,000 members in Louisiana.

The LDS Church First Presidency announced on October 14, 1998, that a temple would be built in Baton Rouge[1] and a groundbreaking ceremony was held on May 8, 1999.[2] The temple was open to the public for tours from July 1 to 8, 2000.[3] LDS Church president Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated the temple on July 16, 2000.[4] Four dedicatory services were held to accommodate the members who wanted to attend. Just before the first dedication service a cornerstone ceremony was held.

The Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple serves 24,000 LDS Church members in the New Orleans, Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Denham Springs, and Monroe Louisiana stakes, as well as members in Gulfport, Hattiesburg, and Jackson, Mississippi stakes.

The temple is 10,700 square feet (990 m2), with a baptistry, two ordinance rooms, two sealing rooms, and a Celestial room.[5] The exterior is made from Imperial Danby White marble quarried in Vermont, and the grounds are beautifully landscaped. The site is 6.3 acres (25,000 m2), which includes a meetinghouse.

On June 27, 2017, the LDS Church announced that beginning February 2018, the temple would close for renovations that are anticipated to be completed in 2019.[6] On May 3, 2019, the church announced the public open house that was held from October 26 through November 2, 2019, excluding Sunday.[7] The temple was rededicated by Quentin L. Cook on November 17, 2019.[8]

In 2020, the Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple was closed in response to the coronavirus pandemic.[9]

See also

Temples in the Southeastern United States ()
  • = Operating
  • = Under construction
  • = Announced
  • = Temporarily Closed

References

  1. ↑ "5 new temples in U.S., Mexico announced", Church News, October 24, 1998
  2. ↑ Strawn, Karen; Smith, Gayle (May 15, 1999), "2,000 attend ceremony for Louisiana's first temple", Church News
  3. ↑ Itano, Nicole (July 1, 2000). "MORMON TEMPLE TO SERVE 30,000 IN SOUTHEAST REGION BATON ROUGE BUILDING OPEN FOR PUBLIC VIEWING: [ORLEANS Edition]". Times - Picayune. ProQuest 415259999. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Baton Rouge Louisiana: 'Prosper the cause of righteousness'", Church News, July 22, 2000
  5. ↑ "Facts and figures: Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple", Church News, July 22, 2000
  6. ↑ "Three Mormon Temples in the US to Close for Renovation: Upgrades planned for sacred buildings in Mesa, Baton Rouge and Raleigh". Newsroom. LDS Church. June 27, 2017.
  7. ↑ "Open House and Rededication Dates Announced for Two US Temples: Rededications in late summer and fall", Newsroom, LDS Church, May 3, 2019
  8. ↑ "Apostle Rededicates the Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple", Newsroom, LDS Church, November 17, 2019
  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.

Additional reading

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