Apia Samoa Temple

Apia Samoa Temple
Number 22
Dedication 5 August 1983 (5 August 1983) by
Gordon B. Hinckley
Site 2 acres (0.8 hectares)
Floor area 18,691 sq ft (1,736 m2)
Height 75 ft (23 m)
Preceded by Atlanta Georgia Temple
Followed by Nuku'alofa Tonga Temple
Official website • News & images

Coordinates: 13°50′18.03839″S 171°47′0.909600″W / 13.8383439972°S 171.78358600000°W / -13.8383439972; -171.78358600000

The Apia Samoa Temple (formerly the Samoan Temple) was the 24th constructed and 22nd operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). It was the first temple built in Samoa and the third to be built in Polynesia. After it was destroyed by fire, a new temple was built and dedicated on the same grounds.

The intention to construct a temple in Apia was announced by the LDS Church on October 15, 1977. A groundbreaking ceremony and site dedication were held on February 19, 1981, with church president Spencer W. Kimball giving the dedicatory prayer. Both the original temple and the rebuilt temple use a classic modern design with a single spire, on a 2-acre (8,100 m2) temple site. The original temple was 14,560 square feet (1,353 m2), but with the rebuilding the total floor area is now 18,691 square feet (1,736.5 m2). The exterior of the temple is finished with granite. The temple has two ordinance rooms and two sealing rooms. The temple was open to the public for tours July 19 through 30, 1983. Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated the Apia Samoa Temple August 5, 1983, and rededicated the new temple on September 4, 2005. The Apia Samoa Temple is one of the more heavily used temples of the church and serves members from 20 stakes in American Samoa, and the islands of Upolu and Savai'i.

Fire and reconstruction

Pre-fire temple

On July 9, 2003, a fire destroyed the temple. Although the cause of the fire is unknown, no one was hurt due to it being closed for expansion and renovation. The fire occurred in the evening after workers had gone home. One week later, on July 16, 2003, the First Presidency sent a letter to the people of the area telling them that the temple would be rebuilt. Three months later, on October 19, 2003, the site was rededicated and a groundbreaking ceremony was held. As part of the construction process, the church demolished a building on the property and built a new chapel across the street from the temple. On January 25, 2005, the angel Moroni statue that had survived the fire was placed on the spire of the new building.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Images of the different designs may be found here (new) and here (old)
  2. ↑ "Find an LDS Temple: Temple Locations from Around the World", LDS.org, LDS Church

References

External links

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