Winchester Virginia Temple Wiki

On 2 April 2023, President Russell M. Nelson announced plans to construct the Winchester Virginia Temple at the April 2023 General Conference.^[2]”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. The Temple was announced in conjunction with 14 other temples.

The First Presidency released the official render for the Winchester Virginia Temple on 16 December 2024.^[4]“Renderings Released for Five Temples in North America.” newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org, 16 Dec. 2024, newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/renderings-released-for-five-temples-in-north-america-buenos-aires-argentina.Renderings for the exteriors of four additional temples; Mexico City Benemérito Mexico, Harrisburg Pennsylvania; Jacksonville Florida; Springfield Missouri; as well as the site of the Buenos Aires City Center Argentina Temple, were announced at the same time.

Ground was broken for the Winchester Virginia Temple on Aug. 9, 2025, with Elder Robert M. Daines — a General Authority Seventy and second counselor in the United States Northeast Area presidency — presiding. He said that more than an event or photo op, temple groundbreakings “are moments when God’s people begin to make a space for Him to dwell with them.”

He noted the temple is useful only if it shapes patrons outside of its walls. “We are shaped by our temple worship and our attempts to build and become worthy of that,” said Elder Daines. “Every temple is a sign of God’s hope for us and an invitation to live with and be like Him. We make promises, but really we learn to be fitted and formed by these promises.”^[5]Randall, Joel. “Ground Broken for Winchester Virginia Temple.” Church News, 27 Aug. 2025, www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2025/08/09/groundbreaking-held-for-winchester-virginia-temple-2nd-in-state.

Winchester is situated in far Northwest Virginia, about 75 miles west of Washington, D.C. An 11.27-acre site located at 200 Merrimans Lane in Winchester has been chosen as the location of the future temple.

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

Plans call for a single-story temple of approximately 30,000 square feet.^[6]”Three New Temple Sites Announced in the US and Europe,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, 30 Oct. 2023, https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/three-new-temple-sites-announced–us-europe-2023.