Columbia River Washington Temple
Encyclopedia
The Columbia River Washington Temple is the 107th operating temple
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Columbia River Washington Temple, located in Richland
, is the third temple in the state of Washington, following the Seattle Washington
and Spokane Washington Temple
s. Church membership in Washington has grown from 67,000 members in 1970 to nearly 230,000 in 2001. Because of the tremendous growth Church leaders felt another temple should be built within the state. The Columbia River Temple serves 32,000 members in eastern Washington and northern Oregon
.
Some parts of the temple foundation includes 2-inch river rock used as fill in concrete forms. During construction of the temple, people were allowed access to open bins of this river rock at the edge of the construction site. Many people wrote names of children, loved ones, etc. on the rocks that were later incorporated into the building itself.
The temple was announced in April, 2000; and groundbreaking ceremonies followed that same year. Presiding at the groundbreaking ceremony was Elder Stephen A. West
, who himself served as a missionary
in the area many years before.
Before the temple was dedicated it was opened to the public. Nearly 65,000 people visited the temple during the open house period. President Gordon B. Hinckley
, prophet of the LDS Church, dedicated the Columbia River Washington Temple on 18 November 2001. Allan D. Alder and his wife, Roma, of Hermiston, Oregon
were the first temple president and matron (2001–2004).
The Columbia River Washington Temple has a total of 16880 square feet (1,568.2 m²), two ordinance rooms, and two sealing rooms.
Temple (LDS Church)
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , a temple is a building dedicated to be a House of the Lord, and they are considered by Church members to be the most sacred structures on earth. Upon completion, temples are usually open to the public for a short period of time...
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Columbia River Washington Temple, located in Richland
Richland, Washington
Richland is a city in Benton County in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Washington, at the confluence of the Yakima and the Columbia Rivers. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 48,058. April 1, 2011 estimates from the Washington State Office of Financial Management put the...
, is the third temple in the state of Washington, following the Seattle Washington
Seattle Washington Temple
The Seattle Washington Temple is the 21st constructed and 19th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Located in the city of Bellevue, Washington it has a modern single-spire design...
and Spokane Washington Temple
Spokane Washington Temple
The Spokane Washington Temple is the 59th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.The temple was announced in August 1998. During the open house one year later, 52,000 people toured the building. On August 21, 1999, President Gordon B...
s. Church membership in Washington has grown from 67,000 members in 1970 to nearly 230,000 in 2001. Because of the tremendous growth Church leaders felt another temple should be built within the state. The Columbia River Temple serves 32,000 members in eastern Washington and northern Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
.
Some parts of the temple foundation includes 2-inch river rock used as fill in concrete forms. During construction of the temple, people were allowed access to open bins of this river rock at the edge of the construction site. Many people wrote names of children, loved ones, etc. on the rocks that were later incorporated into the building itself.
The temple was announced in April, 2000; and groundbreaking ceremonies followed that same year. Presiding at the groundbreaking ceremony was Elder Stephen A. West
General authority
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , a general authority is a member of certain leadership organizations who are given administrative and ecclesiastical authority over the church...
, who himself served as a missionary
Mission (LDS Church)
A mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a geographical administrative area to which church missionaries are assigned. Almost all areas of the world are within the boundaries of an LDS Church mission, whether or not Mormon missionaries live or proselytize in the area...
in the area many years before.
Before the temple was dedicated it was opened to the public. Nearly 65,000 people visited the temple during the open house period. President Gordon B. Hinckley
Gordon B. Hinckley
Gordon Bitner Hinckley was an American religious leader and author who served as the 15th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from March 12, 1995 until his death...
, prophet of the LDS Church, dedicated the Columbia River Washington Temple on 18 November 2001. Allan D. Alder and his wife, Roma, of Hermiston, Oregon
Hermiston, Oregon
As of the census of 2010, there were 16,745 people, 4,964 households, and 3,360 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,035.4 people per square mile . There were 5,383 housing units at an average density of 832.9 per square mile...
were the first temple president and matron (2001–2004).
The Columbia River Washington Temple has a total of 16880 square feet (1,568.2 m²), two ordinance rooms, and two sealing rooms.
See also
- Temple (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
- Comparison of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsComparison of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsBelow is a chronological list of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with sortable columns. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a temple is a building dedicated to be a House of the Lord, and considered by church members to be the most sacred structures on earth...
- Temple architecture (Latter-day Saints)
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in WashingtonThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in WashingtonAs of year-end 2007, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reported 253,166 members in 54 stakes, 495 Congregations , 5 missions, and 3 temples in Washington.-History:A brief history can be found at...