LONDON, ENGLAND - Mormon Temple
The London England Mormon Temple sits on 32 acres of lush English land at Newchapel in Surrey England. This rectangular edifice reaches 160 feet high where the exterior is adorned with white limestone and topped by a lead-coated copper spire. Surrounding the Mormon Temple are gardens, which compose two-thirds of the acreage. Oaks trees (which are listed with the British registry), spacious lawns, an ornamental pond and colorful rhododendrons and azaleas beautify the grounds of the temple throughout the year.
Rich history occupies the land in which the London England Temple rests. Traced back to early Christianity and where Celts, Romans, Saxons, and Danes occupied the area, to present day where the estate of Sir Winston Churchill’s property adjoins the grounds of the Temple.
After the property was purchased for the building of the temple, President David O. McKay and Church architect Edward Anderson spent time deciding where to place the Temple. Land selected by President McKay ‘had been partially covered by a lily pond, which had left the ground marshy, and the engineers feared that it would not be suitable for the Temple’s foundation. President McKay, however, insisted, that this was where the Temple was to be built. When work began on the site, workers discovered that beneath the boggy ground was solid shale at the proper depth to support the temple.’1
On the completion, the Mormon Temple’s doors were opened to members and non-members alike for three weeks. At that time more than seventy-six thousand people toured the temple, wherein only fifty thousand were expected. In September 1958, President David O. McKay dedicated the London Temple. "…This is a great day for the members of the Church in Great Britain…The temple is the opening of a new era", stated President McKay. Following the open house and dedication of the Mormon Temple, there were over twelve hundred convert baptisms within the next year.2
After thirty-two years, the London Temple was closed for remodeling and refurbishing. An additional 8,500 feet was added, as well as a fourth floor. This time, the temple open house was preceded by posters and flyers and personal invitations being distributed throughout the area. In addition, advertisements and stories in local and national newspapers were featured on the British Broadcasting Corporation.
In October 1992, Mormon Prophet President Gordon B. Hinckley rededicated the London England Mormon Temple. It was "…the best single event in terms of its effect on the general public that we’ve ever had in Britain," stated Bryan Grand public affairs director for the Mormon Church.3
For more information about the Mormon Church or Temples please see the following websites: