The Helena Montana Temple is the 179th temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and is located in Helena, Montana, United States.

Helena Montana Temple
July 2023
Map
Number178
Dedication18 June 2023, by Gary E. Stevenson[3]
Site4.75 acres (1.92 ha)
Floor area9,794 sq ft (909.9 m2)
Height96.75 ft (29.49 m)
Official websiteNews & images
Church chronology

Richmond Virginia Temple

Helena Montana Temple

Saratoga Springs Utah Temple
Additional information
AnnouncedApril 4, 2021, by Russell M. Nelson[1]
GroundbreakingJune 26, 2021, by Vern P. Stanfill[2]
Open house18 May-3 June 2023
Current presidentDavid S. Heap[4]
LocationHelena, Montana, United States
Geographic coordinates46°38′02″N 112°01′05″W / 46.6339°N 112.0181°W / 46.6339; -112.0181
Baptistries1
Ordinance rooms1
Sealing rooms1
(edit)

History edit

Plans to build a temple in Helena were announced on April 4, 2021, by church president Russell M. Nelson.[5] In June 2021, the LDS Church released the location and rendering for the planned temple,[6] with a groundbreaking, to signify beginning of construction, announced for later in the month.[7] The groundbreaking was held on June 26, 2021, with Vern P. Stanfill presiding.[8] The public open house was from May 18, 2023 to June 3, 2023 and the temple was dedicated on June 18, 2023, by Gary E. Stevenson.

Construction edit

To shorten the construction time of its temples, the Helena Montana Temple is the church's first constructed using modular construction techniques.[9] The Alabama-based company, BLOX, which specializes in modular building for hospitals, built the temple in 25 separate modules in its facility at Bessemer, Alabama, which were then put taken to the construction site in Montana and assembled.[9]

Architecture edit

The Helena Montana Temple is built in an art deco style to reflect Montana's 19th-century architectural history and includes designs that draw upon the area's Native American artwork.[10] The decorative patterns are derived from the buttercup flower, with the flower and leaf designs utilized to draw upon principles of Native American geometric patterns.[10] The temple includes buttressing and employs horizontal bands to mimic mountain cliff faces.[10] The temple features a single spire, which causes the 9,794 square-foot building to be 96 and-a-half feet tall.[10] The exterior windows are split into three parts representing the root of the buttercup plant, its potential, and its full flower, with a blue border to represent Native American beadwork.[10]

See also edit

Temples in Montana

  •   = Operating
  •   = Under construction
  •   = Announced
  •   = Temporarily Closed

References edit

  1. ^ "Prophet Announces Twenty New Temples at April 2021 General Conference", Newsroom, LDS Church, 4 April 2021
  2. ^ Montanans Break Ground for Helena Temple
  3. ^ "Elder Stevenson dedicates Helena Montana Temple, 'a testament' to testimony, strength of local Latter-day Saints", Church News, Deseret News, 18 June 2023, retrieved 28 September 2023
  4. ^ "New Temple Leaders Called to Serve in 2022", Newsroom, LDS Church, 24 October 2022 [26 May 2022], retrieved 24 October 2022
  5. ^ Drake, Phil (7 April 2021). "Latter-day Saints church to open a temple in Helena". Montana Standard. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  6. ^ Stauffer, Mckenzie (21 April 2021). "LDS Church releases location, rendering for new Montana temple". KUTV. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  7. ^ Staff, MTN News (10 June 2021). "LDS Church announces groundbreaking date for new Helena Temple". KTVH. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  8. ^ "Montanans Break Ground for Helena Temple: The temple will be Montana's second house of the Lord". Newsroom. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  9. ^ a b "How the House of the Lord in Helena Was Built Differently: Modular construction is quicker and preserves quality". Newsroom. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  10. ^ a b c d e "Helena Montana Temple Facts" (PDF). Newsroom. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved May 21, 2023.

External links edit