Newport Beach California Temple

Newport Beach California Temple
Map
Number122
DedicationAugust 28, 2005, by Gordon B. Hinckley
Site8.8 acres (3.6 ha)
Floor area17,800 sq ft (1,650 m2)
Height90 ft (27 m)
Official websiteNews & images
Church chronology

Aba Nigeria Temple

Newport Beach California Temple

Sacramento California Temple
Additional information
AnnouncedApril 21, 2001, by Gordon B. Hinckley
GroundbreakingAugust 15, 2003, by Duane B. Gerrard
Open houseJuly 23 – August 20, 2005
Current presidentLarry D Boberg
Designed byLloyd Platt and Allen Erekson
LocationNewport Beach, California, United States
Geographic coordinates33°37′46.0″N 117°50′56.0″W / 33.629444°N 117.848889°W / 33.629444; -117.848889
Exterior finishSalisbury pink granite from North Carolina
Temple designSouthern California traditional design
Baptistries1
Ordinance rooms2 (two-stage progressive)
Sealing rooms3
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The Newport Beach California Temple is the 122nd temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). The temple was announced on April 21, 2001 and dedicated by Gordon B. Hinckley on August 28, 2005. At the time of its dedication, it was the sixth operating temple in California. Prior to the dedication, 175,000 people attended an open house to tour the building.[1] The open house was disrupted by a small group of protesters who carried signs reading "Mormon Lies Found Here" and "Jesus Warned Against False Prophets" and urged people not to enter.[2] The temple was built to serve the 50,000 Latter-day Saints in Orange County at the time.[2]

Similar to the Redlands California Temple, it uses interior and exterior architectural themes consistent with what was used in the Spanish missions of the early Western US and Mexico.[3] The interior includes murals of the California coast.[4]

In response to opposition from residents of the surrounding community, the LDS Church made several modifications to the original design. The exterior was changed from white marble or granite to a more pink granite, considered more appropriate for Orange County. The steeple was lowered from 124 feet (38 m) to 90 feet (27 m),[5][6] and the exterior lighting is turned off each night at 11 o'clock (unlike most temples, which are lit throughout the night).

The temple is topped by a cupola holding the traditional statue of the angel Moroni. As with many contemporary LDS temples, the Newport Beach California Temple is built on the grounds of an existing stake center and shares parking with it. The temple has a total of 17,800 square feet (1,650 m2), two ordinance rooms, and three sealing rooms. It is located on an 8.8-acre campus.[7]

The temple is located in eastern Newport Beach, on Bonita Canyon Road, at Prairie Drive, near California State Route 73.[8]

  1. ^ Penrod, Sam (August 28, 2005). "LDS Temple Dedicated in Newport Beach". ksl.com. KSL-TV. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  2. ^ a b Mehta, Seema (July 24, 2005). "Crowds Drop In on Mormon Temple's Open House". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  3. ^ Davis, Erik (2006). The Visionary State: A Journey Through California's Spiritual Landscape. San Francisco, California: Chronicle Books. p. 28. ISBN 0-8118-4835-3.
  4. ^ Dodero, Tony (July 29, 2005). "New Mormon temple welcomes visitors". Huntington Beach Independent. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  5. ^ Pepper, Ann (January 13, 2005). "Mormon temple topped off". The Orange County Register. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014.
  6. ^ Newport Beach City Council Minutes, November 12, 2002[full citation needed]
  7. ^ Cunningham, Bill (December 28, 2007). "In The Spirit: Misconceptions follow Mormon faith". The Orange County Register. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  8. ^ Lobdell, William (July 13, 2001). "Mormons Pick Site, Give Details of Proposed Temple in Newport". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 7, 2015.