São Paulo Brazil Temple

The São Paulo Brazil Temple (formerly the São Paulo Temple) is the 19th constructed and 17th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Located in the Brazilian city of São Paulo, it was the first LDS temple built in South America, and also the first temple to use the single story, single spire design. The spire is 101 feet (31 m) tall.

São Paulo Brazil Temple
Number	17
Dedicated	30 October 1978 by Spencer W. Kimball
Site	1.85 acres (0.7 hectares)
Floor area	59,246 sq ft (5,504 m^2)
Preceded by	Washington D.C. Temple
Followed by	Tokyo Japan Temple
Official website • News & images
Additional information Announced 1 March 1975 Groundbreaking 20 March 1976 by James E. Faust Open House 17 January – 14 February 2004 (after renovations) Rededicated 22 February 2004 by Gordon B. Hinckley Designed by Emil B. Fetzer Location Avenida Professor Francisco Morato, 2390 Caxingui São Paulo, São Paulo Brazil Exterior finish Cast stone composed of quartz and marble aggregates set in white cement Temple design Spanish influenced modern, single-spire design Ordinance rooms 2 (Movie, stationary sessions) Sealing rooms 4 Clothing rental yes Cafeteria Full Visitors' center No

History

The intention to construct a temple in São Paulo was announced by the LDS Church on March 1, 1975, with construction beginning twelve months later. Hundreds of local church members gathered to clear the site, which included removing brush, weeds, and banana trees. Hundreds more members donated their time to produce fifty thousand blocks of cast stone composed of quartz, marble chips, and white concrete for the exterior of the temple. It was dedicated on October 30, 1978, by church president Spencer W. Kimball. The temple has two ordinance rooms and four sealing rooms, and has a total floor area of 59,246 square feet (5,504 m²).[1]

On August 20, 2003, a gold-leafed statue of the angel Moroni was added to the temple during an extensive renovation and enlargement project 25 years after its dedication.[2] Church president Gordon B. Hinckley rededicated the São Paulo Brazil Temple on February 22, 2004.[3]

In 2020, the São Paulo Brazil Temple was closed in response to the coronavirus pandemic.[4]

Presidents

Former temple presidents include Helio R. Camargo (1990–93); Athos M. Amorím (1993–96); and Jairo Mazzagardi (2006–09).[5]

See also

• Comparison 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
• List of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by geographic region
• Temple architecture (Latter-day Saints)
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Brazil

References

1. Brigham, Janet (October 1978). "The Sao Paulo Temple: Story of Sacrifice and Learning". The Ensign. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
2. Berteaux, Kelsey; Rosner, Jannalee. "10 Things You Didn't Know about the Angel Moroni Statue". LDS Living. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
3. Assis, Fernando (January 30, 2004). "Sao Paulo temple ready for re-dedication". The Church News. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
4. 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.
5. Satterfield, Rick. "São Paulo Brazil Temple: Presidents", ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org, 2020. Retrieved on 28 March 2020.

External links

• Media related to São Paulo Brazil Temple at Wikimedia Commons
• São Paulo Brazil Temple Official site
• São Paulo Brazil Temple at ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org