Plans to build the temple were announced on May 7, 1998, by the First Presidency.[5] A groundbreaking ceremony was held on October 12, 1998, Canadian Thanksgiving Day, with Jay E. Jensen, of the Seventy, presiding[6]. Despite heavy rain, about 700 church members attended, traveling from across the Maritime provinces.[5]
Local leaders emphasized the blessing of having a temple in Atlantic Canada, as previously members often had to drive up to 24 hours to attend the temples in Washington, D.C. or Toronto[5].
After construction was completed, a public open house was held from November 4–7, 1999, and had approximately 8,000 visitors.[2] Guests included Nova Scotia lieutenant governorJ. James Kinley, his wife, Grace.[5] The largest provincial newspaper featured a front-page photograph of the angel Moroni statue on top of the temple, which sparked curiosity and resulted in numerous phone inquiries about visiting.[5]
The Halifax Nova Scotia Temple was dedicated on November 14, 1999, in three sessions by church presidentGordon B. Hinckley.[7] Originally scheduled for November 13, the dedication was delayed after mechanical problems with Hinckley’s airplane postponed his arrival.[8]As a result, Boyd K. Packer, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, dedicated the Regina Saskatchewan Temple the same day, while Hinckley was in Halifax.[8] This was the first time in church history that two temples were dedicated on the same day.[8]
In 2020, like all the church's others, the Halifax Nova Scotia Temple was closed for a time in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[9]
Architecture and design
The temple is a single-spire building and has a statue of the angel Moroni.[4] The exterior uses white Bethel granite,[4] and the temple is on a two-acre (0.8 ha) site in Dartmouth.[4][2]
The building is 10,700 square feet (994 m²), with dimensions of 149 by 77 feet.[5] It has two ordinance rooms, two sealing rooms, and a baptistry.[4] L.A. Beaubien and Associates, in partnership with the church’s architecture and engineering services team, did the design, with Dineen Construction being the contractor, with William Treu as project manager.[5]
Community impact
Richard Moses, second counselor presidency of the Dartmouth Nova Scotia Stake and chair of the temple committee, described the temple as a “beacon” visible from his daughters’ bedroom window.[2] He also noted that local members hosted visitors when the dedication was postponed, requiring some to stay an extra night.[4]
News coverage at the time reported that some attendees traveled long distances, including members from Newfoundland who drove several hours to reach the ferry before continuing to Halifax.[2] Church leaders described th travel as an expression of faith, although participants described it as part of their religious commitment rather than a sacrifice.[4]
Accounts in church publications recorded community interest, including some local reporters and open-house visitors who described feeling a strong emotional response inside the temple.[5]
Temple leadership and admittance
The church's temples are directed by a temple president and matron, each typically 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.[10] As of 2025, George C. Pattison is the president, with Lisa D. Pattison serving as matron.[10]
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.[5]
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