| Spokane Washington Temple | ||||
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 Interactive map of Spokane Washington Temple | ||||
| Number | 59 | |||
| Dedication | August 21, 1999, byGordon B. Hinckley | |||
| Site | 2 acres (0.81 ha) | |||
| Floor area | 10,700 ft2 (990 m2) | |||
| Height | 71 ft (22 m) | |||
| Official website •News & images | ||||
| Church chronology | ||||
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| Additional information | ||||
| Announced | August 13, 1998, byGordon B. Hinckley | |||
| Groundbreaking | October 10, 1998, byF. Melvin Hammond | |||
| Open house | August 6–14, 1999 | |||
| Location | Spokane Valley, Washington, United States | |||
| Geographic coordinates | 47°37′12.58679″N117°13′14.48400″W / 47.6201629972°N 117.2206900000°W /47.6201629972; -117.2206900000 | |||
| Exterior finish | Granite | |||
| Temple design | Classic modern, single-spire design | |||
| Baptistries | 1 | |||
| Ordinance rooms | 2 (two-stage progressive) | |||
| Sealing rooms | 2 | |||
| (edit) | ||||
TheSpokane Washington Temple is the 59th operatingtemple ofthe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is located inSpokane County, Washington. Announced on August 13, 1998 by the church'sFirst Presidency, it became the second temple inWashington state.[1][2] At the time of its construction, it served about 50,000 church members in eastern Washington, northernIdaho, and westernMontana.[3]
It has a single spire with a statue of theangel Moroni at its top and followed the standardized smaller temple design introduced by the church in the late 1990s. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on October 10, 1998, withF. Melvin Hammond of theSeventy, presiding. Constructed on a 2-acre site, the building includes a granite exterior and landscaped grounds. The structure is 10,700 square feet and has twoordinance rooms, twosealing rooms, and abaptistry. During a public open house held from August 6 to August 14, 1999, approximately 52,000 visitors toured the temple. The temple was dedicated bychurch presidentGordon B. Hinckley from August 21–23, 1999, in 11 sessions attended by more than 16,000 church members. In March 2009, a new angel Moroni statue was installed on the temple’s spire, replacing the original and aligning it to face west to match the temple’s orientation.
The Spokane Washington Temple was announced by the First Presidency on August 13, 1998.[1] On October 10, 1998, the church announced that the temple would be constructed on a 4.2-acre property located at 13710 East 40th Avenue in Spokane, Washington.[4] Preliminary plans called for a one-story structure of approximately 10,700 square feet.[1] A groundbreaking ceremony took place on October 10, 1998, marking the commencement of construction. This ceremony was presided over by F. Melvin Hammond, ageneral authority, and was attended by local church members and community leaders.[1] Its groundbreaking occurred on the same day as the one for theDetroit Michigan Temple, marking the first time that groundbreaking ceremonies were held on the same day for two temples.[5]
Following the completion of the temple, a public open house was take place from August 6 to August 14, 1999. During the open house, approximately 51,950 people visited the temple, including government, civic, and religious leaders who attendedVIP tours on August 5.[6] Spokane Mayor John Talbott remarked, “You could almost sense the spiritual component of the progression [through the temple]”.[1]
The temple was dedicated on August 21, 1999, by Hinckley, with 11 dedicatory sessions across three days, and attended by more than 16,000 church members.[7] In March 2009, a new angel Moroni statue was placed on the spire. Unlike the original, which faced east, the new statue was positioned facing west—the same orientation as the temple itself.[8]
In 2020, along with all the church's others, the Spokane Washington Temple was closed for a time in response to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[9]
The building uses a modern interpretation of traditional Latter-day Saint temple design, emphasizing simplicity and reverence in its architectural expression. The temple was designed by the church's architectural department.[10] It is on a 4.2-acre plot in the suburb of Opportunity, Spokane, Washington. The site was previously used as a softball field on church recreational property before being repurposed for the temple. The landscaping includes lawns and native trees.[1]
The temple is one-story, measuring 144 feet by 77 feet, with a total floor area of 10,700 square feet.[11] The exterior of the building has a granite finish.[10]
The temple interior includes a baptistry, two ordinance rooms, and two sealing rooms.[10] Like most church temples, the baptismal font is placed upon twelve oxen, representing theTwelve Tribes of Israel.[12]
The church's temples are directed by atemple president and matron, each typically 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.[13] Serving from 1999 to 2004, Frank E. Wagstaff the first president, with Jane D. Wagstaff serving as matron.[14][15] As of 2025, Orson N. Daines is the president, with Donna M. Daines serving as matron.[16]
On July 10, 1999, the church announced the public open house that was held from August 6 to August 14, 1999 (excluding Sunday). The temple was dedicated by Gordon B. Hinckley from August 21 to August 23, 1999, in 11 sessions.[1]
Like all the church's temples, it is not used forSunday worship services. To members of the church, temples are regarded as sacred houses of the Lord. Once dedicated, only church members with a currenttemple recommend can enter for worship.[10]
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