Bakersfield California Temple Wiki

On April 2, 2023, President Russell M. Nelson announced plans to construct the Bakersfield California Temple at the April 2023 General Conference. It was the 12th temple announced for the state. Bakersfield, located about 100 miles northwest of Los Angeles at the southern end of the Central Valley near the Sequoia National Forest. Nearly 400,000 residents live in Bakersfield.^[3]”The Church of Jesus Christ Will Build 15 New Houses of the Lord,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, 2 Apr. 2023, https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/april-2023-general-conference-new-temples.

California Temples at the time of Announcement

Announced

• Modesto California
• San Jose California

Under Construction

• Yorba Linda California

Dedicated

• Los Angeles California [1997]
• Oakland California [1964]
• San Diego California [1993]
• Freson California [2000]
• Redlands California [2003]
• Newport Beach California [2005]
• Sacramento California [2006]

On January 8, 2024, the official exterior rendering of the Bakersfield California Temple was released.^[5]”Renderings Released for Three Temples,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, 8 Jan. 2024, https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/renderings-released-for-three-temples.

Bakersfield, located about 100 miles northwest of Los Angeles at the southern end of the Central Valley near the Sequoia National Forest. A 13.07-acre site located northwest of the intersection of Stockdale Highway and Jewetta Avenue in Bakersfield has been chosen as the temple location.

Site

An accompanying distribution center and meetinghouse are also planned for the site.^[6]”Site Announced for Temple in California,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, 25 Jul. 2023, https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/news-for-temples-in-california-and-ohio.

Plans call for a single-story temple of approximately 30,000 square feet.