Barranquilla Colombia Temple Wiki
Quick Facts
ANNOUNCED
1 October 2011
ANNOUNCED BY
President Thomas S. Monson
GROUNDBREAKING
20 February 2016
GROUNDBREAKING PRESIDED BY
Elder Juan A. Uceda
DEDICATED
9 December 2018
DEDICATED BY
Elder Dallin H. Oaks
DEDICATION ORDER
161
LOCATION
Carrera 46 via Al Mar PR 107
Sentido
Barranquilla, Atlantico
Colombia
PHONE
(+57) 605-310-0200
Description
The Barranquilla Colombia Temple is a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) under construction in Puerto Colombia, Colombia. The Barranquilla Colombia Temple serves members from the following seven stakes and two districts in Colombia: Barranquilla Colombia El Carmen Stake, Barranquilla Colombia Hipodromo Stake, Barranquilla Colombia Paraiso Stake, Cartagena Colombia Los Alpes Stake, Cartagena Colombia Stake, Montería Colombia Stake, Santa Marta Colombia District, Sincelejo Colombia District, and Valledupar Colombia Stake.
History
People from North America living in Cali and Bogotá made up most of the first 45 members. Then in May 1966, missionaries entered the country. Just five years later, there were 27 congregations meeting in 10 different cities. In 1975, a chapel was built. Today there are over 1 members organized into 29 stakes and 11 districts.[1]The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, “New Temples Announced for France, Africa, Colombia, Utah and Wyoming,” 1 Oct. 2011.
Announcement
Church President Thomas S. Monson announced the Barranquilla Temple on October 1, 2011 during the Saturday morning session of the 181st Semiannual General Conference.[2]Walker, Joseph (1 October 2011). “LDS general conference opens with the announcement of six new Mormon temples”. Deseret News. Salt Lake City. Retrieved 1 October 2011[3]“Mormon church president announces plans for new temples in Utah, Wyoming, Colombia, Africa”. Washington Post. AP. 1 October 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2011
Colombia Temples at Time of Announcement
Announced
- –
Under Construction
- –
Dedicated
- Bogota Colombia [1999]
ANNOUNCED ORDER
163
| Date | 2011 10 01 |
| By | Thomas S. Monson |
| Role | President |
| Via | General Conference |
⮜Preceded by Provo City Center
Followed by Durban South Africa⮞
Announced 2011 10 01
- Provo City Center
- Barranquilla Colombia
- Durban South Africa
- Kinshasa DRC
- Star Valley
- Paris France*
*Paris had previously been announced 2011/07/15 by a french newspaper
Groundbreaking
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Barranquilla Colombia Temple took place on Saturday, 20 February 2016, in the 50th anniversary year of the Church in Colombia. Elder Juan A. Uceda, president of the South America Northwest Area, presided at the ceremony. It was no coincidence, he explained, that construction of the country’s second temple was beginning in that anniversary year. The hand of the Lord is at work. He challenged members to make temple attendance a regular family tradition, to hang photographs of the temple in their homes, and to conduct family history research. In his dedicatory prayer, he asked the Lord’s blessings on all who would participate in the temple’s construction including government leaders. Following the prayer, Church and civic leaders formally broke ground for the temple. Afterward, many more took the opportunity to turn a shovelful of dirt.[4]”Ground is broken at site of future temple in Barranquilla, Colombia,” Church News 20 Feb. 2016, 1 Apr. 2016.
Thousands of others viewed the event, via satellite, in meetinghouses across the country. Also in attendance were local government, police and business leaders.
GROUNDBREAKING ORDER
166
| Date | 2016 20 02 |
| By | Juan A. Uceda |
| Role | Seventy |
| Attendees | # |
⮜Preceded by Kinshasa DRC
Followed by Durban South Africa⮞
Open House
The public open house for the Barranquilla Colombia Temple was held from Saturday, November 3, 2018, through Saturday, November 24 except for November 4, 11, and 18, 2018.[5]“Second Colombian Temple Opens for Free Public Tours”, Newsroom, LDS Church, 2018-10-30
| Start Date | 2018 11 03 |
| End Date | 2018 11 24 |
| Days | 13 |
| Attendees | 35,000 |
| Per day | 2,692.3 |
Youth Devotional
Youth were invited to attend a devotional especially for them on Saturday, 8 December 2018. President Oaks and Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles greeted and spoke to Latter-day Saint youth in a special devotional.[ref”]Barranquilla Colombia Temple Is Dedicated,” Newsroom, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 9 December 2018. [/ref]
President Oaks encouraged young people to study the Book of Mormon. He said, “Reading should be first on your list of what you do each day to learn the gospel and keep the commandments. The importance of the Book of Mormon is related to the testimony of Jesus Christ and His Atonement.”
During his remarks, Elder Soares told youth, “Whatever you do, keep your eyes on the temple. We invite you to go to the temple and do the vicarious work for your relatives and others. We are all transformed when we go to the temple.”
Dedication
The temple was dedicated on Sunday, December 9, in three sessions at 9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., by President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The dedication was broadcast to all congregations in Colombia.[6]“Announcement of Temple Dedication Dates in Chile and Colombia: Second temple in both countries”, Newsroom, LDS Church, 2018-02-28
Before the first dedicatory session, President Oaks, Elder Soares, and members of the local Church leadership participated in the cornerstone ceremony. President Oaks explained that placing mortar around the cornerstone block is symbolic that the temple is complete.
He invited Church leaders, as well as, a young boy and a young girl to fill the cornerstone with mortar. President Oaks said, “These children represent the rising generation, the future leaders of the Church in Colombia.”[ref”]Barranquilla Colombia Temple Is Dedicated,” Newsroom, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 9 December 2018. [/ref]
The Barranquilla Temple is the Church’s 161st temple worldwide and the second in Colombia, the first having been completed in Bogota in 1999; it is the 19th in South America. This temple will serve approximately 35,000 Latter-day Saints in Colombia’s northern regions.
DEDICATION ORDER
161
| Date | 2018 12 09 |
| By | Dallin H. Oaks |
| Role | 1st Counselor |
| Sessions | 3 |
| Attendees | # |
⮜Preceeded by Concepción Chile
Followed by Rome Italy⮞
Construction Duration
| Span | Duration |
|---|---|
| Announced to Groundbreaking | 4 y, 4 m, 19 d |
| Groundbreaking to Dedication | 2 y, 9 m, 18 d |
| Announced to Dedication | 7 y, 2 m, 8 d |
Dedicatory Order
GLOBAL
161
REGION
S. AM.
19
COUNTRY
COLOMBIA
2
STATE
ATLANTICO
1
COUNTY
–
–
CITY
PUERTO COLOMBIA
1
Summary
The Barranquilla Colombia Temple is the second temple in Colombia; following the Bogotá Colombia Temple. It is the 161st Temple built in the world. At the time of it’s dedication there were 10 additional temples announced or under construction in South America. Additionally there were 10 temples under construction worldwide, with another 30 announced awaiting groundbreaking.
Detail
Announced
- text
- text
Under Construction
- text
- text
Under Renovation
- text
- text
Presidents And Matrons
| Temple President | Temple Matron | Years Served |
|---|---|---|
| Hernando Camargo Pedraza | Claudia Ines Suarez Cepeda de Camargo | 2024– |
| Bruce Frederick Carter | Kathryn Thelma Hayes Carter | 2021–2024 |
| César Augusto Dávila Peñaloza | Miryam Hernández Cruz de Dávila | 2018–2021 |
Details
Location
Just outside of Barranquilla, in the picturesque oceanside community of Puerto Colombia across from Colegio Alemán, approximately two kilometers west of Barranquilla proper, the Barranquilla Colombia Temple rises from a hill located on the highway to Cartagena. The elvated property overlooks the Magdalena River- the biggest river in Colombia, and the ocean.[7]The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, “Nuevo Templo Mormón en Barranquilla, Colombia,” 26 Jun. 2012.
Site
Exterior
Cladding
The exterior of the Barranquilla Colombia Temple is Limestone block.
Windows
The windows on the Barranquilla Colombia Temple are stained art glass
Exterior Finish
text
Architectural Features
text
| Feet | Meters | |
|---|---|---|
| Height | # | # |
| To Shoulder | # | # |
| Width | # | # |
| Length | # | # |
| Footprint | # | # |
| Heading | Calc |
Symbolism
Inscription
The inscription on the Barranquilla Colombia Temple is at the top of the temple, at the base of the spire. The inscription is gilded and has been carved into the stone in Spanish.
SANTIDAD AL SEÑOR
LA CASA DEL SEÑOR
| Order | |
| Location | |
| Language | |
| Type | |
| Color | |
| Setting | |
| Font | |
| Glyph | |
| Church Name | |
| Temple Name | |
| Dates |
Cornerstone
The cornerstone on the Barranquilla Colombia Temple is on the left hand corner when staring at the Temple front door. This is on the South east corner of the temple, East most face.
text
| Location | |
| Faces | |
| Material | |
| Set | |
| Edge | |
| Type | |
| Finish | |
| Language |
Spires and Finial
Spires
There is a Single spire on the Barranquilla Colombia temple. It is on the center of the North East most end of the temple. The spire design is heavily influenced by the twin spires on the Iglesia de San Jose in Barranquilla Colombia.
Spire Details
| Spires | # |
| Location | # |
| Finish | # |
| Type | dome, steeple, tower, spire |
| shape | # |
| Tower shape |
Moroni
The Angel Moroni Statue on the Barranquilla Colombia Temple is a fiberglass replica of Karl Quilter’s 1982 Statue. The statue was placed upon the temple 15 November 2017 and faces North East by East.

| Sculptor: | Karl Quilter |
| Commissioned: | 1978 |
| Completed: | 1982 |
| Material: | Fiberglass |
| Height: | 7 ft (2.1 m) |
| Weight: | ~300 lbs (181.4 kg) |
| Currently On: | 105 temples |
| Finish: | |
| Placed: | |
| Faces: |
Interior
text
text
Entry
text
| Area | – f2 (- m2) |
| Floors above grade | |
| Floors below Grade | |
| Baptistries | |
| Initiatories | |
| Endowment Rooms | |
| Sealing Rooms |
Baptistry
text
| Baptistries: | – |
| Location: | – |
| Exterior Windows: | – |
| Artwork: | – |
| Artwork Type: | – |
| Oxen: | – |
| Type: | – |
| Hoof: | – |
| Color: | – |
| Layout: | – |
| Font Exterior: | – |
| Interior: | – |
| Shape: | – |
| Bowl Shape: | – |
| Pillar: | – |
| Stairs: | – |
| Font Well: | – |
Initiatory Spaces
text
| Style | detached, attached, combined |
| Type | stationary, progressive |
| Rooms | # |
Instruction Rooms
text
| Rooms | # |
| Type | # |
| Capacity | # |
| Murals | y/n |
| Total Muraled Rooms | # |
| Mural Type |
Celestial Room
text-images
Sealing Room
text-images
| Sealing Rooms | |
| Largest Capacity |
Contractors
Architect
[with additional version]
text
Projects by Architect
Project Manager
[without additional version]
text
General Contractor
text
Other Contractor
contractor and position
Region
TEMPLES IN SOUTH AMERICA by country
| Argentina | 7 | Bahía Blanca · Buenos Aires Argentina · Buenos Aires City Center · Córdoba · Mendoza · Rosario · Salta |
| Bolivia | 3 | Cochabamba · La Paz · Santa Cruz |
| Brazil | 24 | Belém · Belo Horizonte · Brasília · Campinas · Campo Grande · Curitiba · Florianópolis · Fortaleza · Goiânia · João Pessoa · Londrina · Maceió · Manaus · Natal · Porto Alegre · Recife · Ribeirão Preto · Rio de Janeiro · Salvador · Santos · São Paulo · São Paulo East · Teresina · Vitória |
| Chile | 6 | Antofagasta · Concepción · Puerto Montt · Santiago · Santiago West · Viña del Mar |
| Colombia | 4 | Barranquilla · Bogotá · Cali · Medellín |
| Ecuador | 2 | Guayaquil · Quito |
| Paraguay | 1 | Asunción |
| Peru | 10 | Arequipa · Chiclayo · Chorrillos · Cusco · Huancayo · Iquitos · Lima · Lima Los Olivos · Piura · Trujillo |
| Uruguay | 2 | Montevideo · Rivera |
| Venezuela | 2 | Caracas · Maricaibo |
Total: 61
Sources and Citations
References
| ↑1 | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, “New Temples Announced for France, Africa, Colombia, Utah and Wyoming,” 1 Oct. 2011. |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | Walker, Joseph (1 October 2011). “LDS general conference opens with the announcement of six new Mormon temples”. Deseret News. Salt Lake City. Retrieved 1 October 2011 |
| ↑3 | “Mormon church president announces plans for new temples in Utah, Wyoming, Colombia, Africa”. Washington Post. AP. 1 October 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2011 |
| ↑4 | ”Ground is broken at site of future temple in Barranquilla, Colombia,” Church News 20 Feb. 2016, 1 Apr. 2016. |
| ↑5 | “Second Colombian Temple Opens for Free Public Tours”, Newsroom, LDS Church, 2018-10-30 |
| ↑6 | “Announcement of Temple Dedication Dates in Chile and Colombia: Second temple in both countries”, Newsroom, LDS Church, 2018-02-28 |
| ↑7 | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, “Nuevo Templo Mormón en Barranquilla, Colombia,” 26 Jun. 2012. |
Last updated on: 12 September 2025
