Cardston Alberta Temple facts for kids

Cardston Alberta Temple
Number	6	edit data
Dedicated	Quick facts for kids 26 August 1923 (26 August 1923) by Heber J. Grant
Site	10 acres (4 hectares)
Floor area	81,700 sq ft (7,590 m2)
Height	85 ft (26 m)
Preceded by	Laie Hawaii Temple
Followed by	Mesa Arizona Temple
Official website: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/details/cardston-alberta-temple • News & images
Additional information Announced 27 June 1913 Groundbreaking 13 November 1913 by Daniel Kent Greene Open House Tours offered, 1920–23 June 6–15, 1991 (after renovation) Rededicated 22 June 1991 by Gordon B. Hinckley Current President D. Wesley Balderson Designed by Hyrum Pope and Harold Burton Location 348 3rd St. W. Cardston, Alberta Canada Exterior finish White granite Ordinance rooms 4 (four-stage progressive sessions) Sealing rooms 5 Clothing rental Yes Cafeteria Yes Visitors' center Yes Notes An addition was completed in 1962 and was dedicated on July 2, 1962 by Hugh B. Brown.

The Cardston Alberta Temple is a special building belonging to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cardston, Alberta, Canada. It was the eighth temple built by the church and is still used today. This temple was the very first one built in Canada and the first one built outside the United States.

What makes this temple stand out is its unique cross shape and the fact that it doesn't have tall spires like many other temples. This design was quite modern for its time. It was created by Harold W. Burton and Hyrum Pope, who were inspired by famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The temple's design uses cool geometric shapes and fits in well with the nature around it.

A Look Back: The Temple's History

The idea to build the Cardston Alberta Temple was announced on October 12, 1912, by the church's leader, Joseph F. Smith. The spot chosen for the temple was important to the church and the people living there. It was built on a piece of land called Tabernacle Block, which was given to the church by Charles Ora Card.

A special ceremony to start construction happened on November 9, 1913. Joseph F. Smith led this event, and many church members and community leaders attended.

Building Challenges and Community Help

Building the temple took a long time, about 10 years! One big reason for the delay was World War I. The last two years of construction were spent getting the inside ready for people to use.

During this time, a group called the Relief Society General Board started a "penny subscription." They saved a penny each week. This amazing effort helped them collect over $13,000 to help build both the Cardston Alberta Temple and the Laie Hawaii Temple.

Dedication and Changes Over Time

The Cardston Alberta Temple was officially opened and dedicated on August 26, 1923, by church president Heber J. Grant. Over the years, the temple grounds grew to more than 10 acres.

The temple has been a place for spiritual growth and community events for many years. It was renovated in the 1990s and rededicated on June 22, 1991, by Gordon B. Hinckley.

In 1992, the temple was recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada because of its importance. A special plaque was placed there in 1995. Like many places around the world, the temple was temporarily closed in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design and Special Features

The Cardston Alberta Temple has a very interesting architectural style. It blends ideas from ancient Greek and even some Peruvian and Aztec temple designs. Architects Hyrum Pope and Harold W. Burton wanted the temple to show both the local culture of Cardston and the spiritual meaning of the church.

The building is made from white granite stones. These stones were carefully shaped by hand and came from quarries near Nelson, British Columbia.

The temple has a unique shape, like a Greek cross, with its arms pointing in the main compass directions. It also has a single central tower with a pyramid-shaped roof. Inside, you'll find beautiful wood, materials from all over the world, hand-painted murals, and even a sculpted water feature.

The Cardston Alberta Temple during the day.

The temple is placed on a small hill in the center of town. It's surrounded by a stone wall and offers views of Chief Mountain. The grounds are beautiful, with large trees, colorful flower gardens, and paved walkways. The design includes symbols from the Bible, which are very meaningful to church members.

Keeping It New: Renovations

The Cardston Alberta Temple has been renovated twice to keep it strong and beautiful. The biggest renovation started in 1988.

These updates made sure the temple met modern building standards and could serve the needs of church members better. They improved things like the electrical and mechanical systems and added a new entryway. The inside was also refreshed, but always with care to keep its original look and feel.

A view of the Cardston Temple, around the 1920s.

The renovated temple was rededicated on June 22, 1991, by Gordon B. Hinckley. This showed that the church wanted to keep the temple's history alive while also making it ready for the future.

How the Temple Helps the Community

The Cardston Alberta Temple has had a big impact on the culture and community of Cardston. In 1887, Charles Ora Card and other church members settled in the area, which became Cardston. The temple was built on land where an earlier church building, called a tabernacle, once stood.

Since it was built, the temple has been a place of worship and a symbol of the pioneers who settled the area. At the time, it also showed how the church was growing beyond the United States.

The temple and its grounds are often used for community events. These include open houses, weddings, and other church activities. These events help bring people together and promote understanding among everyone in the community, no matter their background. The Canadian government officially named the temple a Historic Site on September 16, 1995.

Temple Leaders

Since 1923, the Cardston Alberta Temple has been led by different temple presidents and matrons. They usually serve for about three to five years, guiding the temple's daily activities and helping people who visit.

The very first temple president was Edward James Wood, who served for a long time, from 1923 to 1948. He helped establish the temple as an important spiritual center. As of 2022, Forast Brent Thomas is serving as the temple president.

Visiting and Using the Temple

The Cardston Alberta Temple is a central place for worship and special ceremonies for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To enter the temple, members need a special pass called a temple recommend.

Inside the temple, members take part in sacred ceremonies like baptisms for the dead, endowment ceremonies, and sealings. These are very important to the church's beliefs.

Before the temple was officially dedicated in 1923, it had an "open house." This allowed everyone, no matter their faith, to come inside, see the beautiful architecture, and learn about the church's practices and beliefs.

The temple has been rededicated several times after major changes or renovations. It was rededicated on July 2, 1962, by Hugh B. Brown, and again on June 22, 1991, by Gordon B. Hinckley.

Images for kids

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  Laying of last stone on the temple

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  Capstone laying on Cardston Temple

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  A close-up of the side of the temple

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  Modern photo of the temple

See also

In Spanish: Templo de Alberta para niños

• Comparison of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Torleif S. Knaphus — sculpted the large bas relief titled Christ the Fountainhead on the exterior of the building and also the life-size oxen holding the baptism font
• LeConte Stewart - painted murals and other art work in the temple
• List of National Historic Sites of Canada in Alberta
• 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 Canada