Toronto Ontario Temple | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Rededication scheduled | ||||
Number | 44 | |||
Dedication | 25 August 1990, by Gordon B. Hinckley | |||
Site | 13.4 acres (5.4 ha) | |||
Floor area | 57,982 sq ft (5,386.7 m2) | |||
Height | 171 ft (52 m) | |||
Official website • News & images | ||||
Church chronology | ||||
| ||||
Additional information | ||||
Announced | 7 April 1984, by Spencer W. Kimball | |||
Groundbreaking | 10 October 1987, by Thomas S. Monson | |||
Open house | 2–18 August 1990 | |||
Rededicated | 23 March 2025, by Jeffrey R. Holland | |||
Designed by | Allward-Gouinlock Inc. | |||
Location | Brampton, Ontario, Canada | |||
Geographic coordinates | 43°44′39.61679″N79°44′45.81240″W / 43.7443379972°N 79.7460590000°W | |||
Exterior finish | White cast stone | |||
Temple design | Modern, single-spire design | |||
Baptistries | 1 | |||
Ordinance rooms | 4 (stationary) | |||
Sealing rooms | 6 | |||
Clothing rental | Yes | |||
( | )
The Toronto Ontario Temple is the 44th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). The intent to build the temple was announced to local leaders on the morning of April 7, 1984, and then referenced by Gordon B. Hinckley, second counselor in the First Presidency, during the general conference session which followed. [1] It was the second temple built in Canada (after the Cardston Alberta Temple), becoming the first country in the world, outside the United States, to have two temples in its borders. [2] [3]
The temple is located on 5.26 hectares (13.0 acres) in Brampton, which is 32 kilometres (20 mi) west of Downtown Toronto. A groundbreaking ceremony, to signify beginning of construction, was held on October 10, 1987, with Thomas S. Monson presiding. [1]
The intent to build the temple was announced on April 7, 1984. [4] On June 22, 1986, Thomas S. Monson, then a counselor in the First Presidency, created the LDS Church's 1,600th stake in Kitchener, Ontario, and again commented that a temple would be built in the Toronto area. [5] Monson returned for the groundbreaking ceremony on 10 October 1987. The temple was dedicated by Gordon B. Hinckley on 25 August 1990. [6] [7] The temple's interior totals 57,982 square feet (5,386.7 m2), [7] four ordinance rooms and six sealing rooms.
Two LDS Church presidents hold ties to Toronto. John Taylor and his wife immigrated to Toronto in 1832, while Monson served as president of the church's Canadian Mission, headquartered in Toronto, from 1959 to 1962. [8]
In 2020, like all others in the church, the Toronto Ontario Temple was closed for a time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [9]
On May 1, 2023, the First Presidency announced that the Toronto Ontario Temple would close for renovations. [10] The temple closed on October 23, 2023, [1] and was projected to reopen in December 2024. [11]
The building’s design was inspired by the Denver Colorado Temple. [12] On October 4, 1990, the Toronto Ontario Temple was given an award of excellence from the Development Design Awards program. [1] [13] The temple's architecture reflects both the cultural heritage of the Ontario region and the spiritual significance to the church.
The temple sits on a 13.4-acre plot in Brampton, which is a suburb of Toronto. The building is located on the intersection of Bramalea Road and Bovaird Drive, facing east. [12]
The structure stands 171 feet tall, with an area of 57,982 square feet, constructed with white cast stone. [12] The exterior has “a three-tiered tower that sits on a square base and has a spire that leads up to a point,”, an element chosen for its symbolic significance and alignment with temple traditions. [1] The design uses elements that reflect both the local culture and broader symbolism to the church.
The temple includes four ordinance rooms, six sealing rooms, a baptistry, and a celestial room, each arranged for ceremonial use. [1]
The design has elements using Latter-day Saint and Biblical symbolism, providing deeper spiritual meaning to the temple's appearance and function. Symbolism is important to church members, and symbols include the angel Moroni statue that tops the building, representing “the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.” [14] Another example is the temple’s eastward orientation, which reflects the ancient Israelite tradition of building east-facing temples and symbolizes “watching for the second coming of Christ, which has been likened to the dawning of a new day.” [15]
On May 1, 2023, the First Presidency announced that the temple would undergo renovations. [5] The temple closed on October 23, 2023, [1] and was originally expected to reopen in December 2024. [11] With renovations nearing completion, on October 28, 2024 the church announced that following media and invited guest tours earlier in the week, a public open would begin on February 13, 2025 and run through March 8, 2025 (excluding Saturdays). The temple is then scheduled to be dedicated on March 23, 2025 by Jeffrey R. Holland. [16]
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. [17]
The first president of the Toronto Ontario Temple was Arnold N. Roberts, with the matron being Audrey C. Roberts. They served from 1990 to 1993. [17] As of 2024, Tyrone Wong is the president, with Sui Y. Wong serving as matron. [1]
Following the completion of the temple, the church announced that a public open house would be held from August 2–18, 1990 (excluding Sundays). [1] The temple was dedicated in 11 sessions by Gordon B. Hinckley from August 25–27, 1990. [1] 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. [11] [18]
Temples in Canada ( ) = Operating
|
The Chicago Illinois Temple is the thirty-fifth temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is the second of three church temples that have been built in Illinois. The intent to build the temple was announced during a press conference on April 1, 1981, by church president Spencer W. Kimball.
The Bern Switzerland Temple is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was the church's first temple in Europe and the second outside of North America, after the Laie Hawaii Temple. The intent to build the temple was announced on July 1, 1952, by church president David O. McKay.
The Las Vegas Nevada Temple is the 43rd operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The temple was announced in April 1984.
The São Paulo Brazil Temple is the 19th constructed and 17th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Located in the Brazilian city of São Paulo, it was the first Latter-day Saint temple built in South America, and the first to use a single story, single spire design. The spire is 101 feet tall. The intent to build the temple was announced on March 1, 1975, by church president Spencer W. Kimball at an area conference. A groundbreaking ceremony, to signify the beginning of construction, was held on March 20, 1976, conducted by James E. Faust.
The Orlando Florida Temple is the 48th constructed and 46th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and was the first to be built in Florida. Located near Windermere, Florida, it was built with a modern single-spire design. It is the second largest LDS temple in the Eastern United States, after the Washington D.C. Temple. The intent to build the temple was announced on February 17, 1990.
The Boise Idaho Temple is the 29th constructed and 27th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The temple is located in the city of Boise, Idaho. The intent to build the temple was announced on March 31, 1982, by Gordon B. Hinckley under the direction of church president Spencer W. Kimball during a press conference. The temple was the second to be built in Idaho and is the only Idaho temple dedicated by Hinckley.
The Palmyra New York Temple is the 77th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The intent to build the temple was announced on February 9, 1999. It was the first temple built in New York.
The Boston Massachusetts Temple is the 100th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple is the 49th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The temple is located in American Fork, Utah and is the second temple built in Utah County and the ninth in Utah. The intent to build the temple was announced on October 3, 1992, by Gordon B. Hinckley during the church's general conference.
The Suva Fiji Temple is the 91st operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The intent to build the temple was announced on April 5, 1998, by church president Gordon B. Hinckley during the church's general conference. The temple is the first to be built in Fiji.
The Draper Utah Temple is the 129th temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was dedicated by church president Thomas S. Monson on March 20, 2009, with additional sessions also held through March 22. The intent to build the temple was announced by church president Gordon B. Hinckley on October 2, 2004, during the church's general conference. Prior to the dedication, the temple was open to the public from January 15, 2009 through March 14, 2009.
The Rexburg Idaho Temple is the 125th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The intent to build the temple was announced by the First Presidency on December 12, 2003, in a letter to local church leaders. The temple was the third in Idaho, and the first in the state in the 21st century.
The Kyiv Ukraine Temple is the 134th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The intent to build the temple was announced by the church's First Presidency on July 20, 1998. Located in Sofiivska Borshchahivka, near Kyiv, it is the LDS Church's 11th temple in Europe, the first in the territory of the former Soviet Union, and the second in the former Eastern Bloc. A groundbreaking ceremony, to signify beginning of construction, was held on June 23, 2007, conducted by Paul B. Pieper.
The Gilbert Arizona Temple is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 3301 South Greenfield Road, at the corner of East Pecos Road in Gilbert, Arizona. The intent to build the temple was announced on April 26, 2008, by church president Thomas S. Monson in a press release. A groundbreaking ceremony, to signify the beginning of construction, was held in 2010. The temple was designed by the architectural firm Architekton. The temple was dedicated in 2014.
The Mexico City Mexico Temple is the 28th constructed and 26th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The intent to build the temple was announced on April 3, 1967, by church president Spencer W. Kimball.
The Rome Italy Temple is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Rome, Italy. The temple serves church members in Italy, as well as Malta, Greece, Cyprus, Albania, and parts of Romania. Thomas S. Monson, the LDS Church's president, announced the temple in 2008, a groundbreaking took place in 2010, and the temple opened after its dedication in 2019. The temple is the first in Italy and the 162nd worldwide.
The Paris France Temple is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Le Chesnay, a suburb of Paris, France, and is located near Versailles. On July 15, 2011, the church released a statement declaring the intent to build a temple in Paris. The Paris France Temple was officially announced on October 1, 2011, by church president Thomas S. Monson during the general conference. The Paris France Temple is the first temple built in Metropolitan France, and the second in France, after the Papeete Tahiti Temple.
The Bangkok Thailand Temple is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Bangkok, Thailand. The intent to build the temple was announced on April 5, 2015, by church president Thomas S. Monson, during general conference. The temple is the first in mainland southeast Asia. A groundbreaking ceremony, to signify the beginning of construction, was held on January 26, 2019, conducted by Robert C. Gay. enrichment.
The Rio de Janeiro Brazil is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The intent to build the temple was announced on April 6, 2013, by church president Thomas S. Monson, during general conference. It is the eighth temple in Brazil.
The Saratoga Springs Utah Temple is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Saratoga Springs, Utah. The intent to build the temple was announced on April 2, 2017, by church president Thomas S. Monson, during general conference. The temple is the 18th in Utah and the fifth in Utah County. A groundbreaking ceremony, to signify the beginning of construction, was held on October 19, 2019, conducted by Craig C. Christensen, a church general authority.