Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple Wiki

Quick Facts

ANNOUNCED
5 April 2020

ANNOUNCED BY
President Russell M. Nelson

GROUNDBREAKING
21 August 2021

GROUNDBREAKING PRESIDED BY
Randall K. Bennett

DEDICATED
15 September 2024

DEDICATED BY
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf


DEDICATION ORDER
196

LOCATION
2093 Powell Road
Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania 16066
United States

Additional Facts

#1

Pittsburgh in the late 1950s and early 1960s consisted only of branches, no wards or stakes. At the time of the Pittsburgh temple dedication, there were three stakes.

#2

Because Pittsburgh is known as the “City of Bridges,” a granite bridge was incorporated into the landscaping design of the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple grounds. The bridge connects the house of the Lord to a nearby meetinghouse.

#3

Before the dedication of the Washington D.C. Temple in 1974, the closest temples to the Saints in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, were in Utah.

Description

Pittsburgh is the second largest city in Pennsylvania. The new temple will serve thousands of members in Western Pennsylvania, Northeast Ohio, and Northern West Virginia who currently participate in temple worship at the Columbus Ohio Temple and the Washington D.C. Temple.

The Church enjoys a rich heritage in Pennsylvania, which is home to more than 52,000 Latter-day Saints in 106 congregations, 13 stakes, and two missions.

History

Joseph Smith translated most of the Book of Mormon in Oakland Township, Pennsylvania. John the Baptist appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in a nearby forest and restored the Aaronic Priesthood. Joseph and Oliver also baptized each other in the Susquehanna River.

Announcement

On Sunday, 5 April 2020, at the afternoon session of the 190th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Russell M. Nelson announced that a temple will be built in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[1]“Prophet Announces Six New Temples at October 2020 General Conference.” newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org, 4 Oct. 2020, newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/october-2020-general-conference-temples.

ANNOUNCED ORDER
221

Date2020 10 04
ByRussell M. Nelson
RolePresident
ViaGeneral Conference

⮜Preceded by Lubumbashi Democratic Republic of the Congo
Followed by Benin City Nigeria

Location Announced

On January 19, 2021, the location of the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple was announced as a 5.8-acre site at 2093 Powell Road in Cranberry Township behind the stake center for the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania North Stake. The temple would stand north of Pittsburgh not far from the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76), providing good access to members living throughout the region.[2]The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, “Location and Rendering Released for Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple,” 19 Jan. 2021

Render Released

On January 19, 2021, an official exterior rendering of the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple was released.[3]The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, “Location and Rendering Released for Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple,” 19 Jan. 2021

Groundbreaking Announced

On 14 July 2021 the Church announced that Elder Randall K. Bennett, North America Northeast Area president, would preside at the 21 August 2021 groundbreaking event for the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple,[4]“Groundbreakings Announced for Temples in Pennsylvania and Kenya.” newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org, 14 July 2021, newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/groundbreakings-announced-for-temples-in-pennsylvania-and-kenya.

Groundbreaking

A groundbreaking ceremony for the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was held on Saturday, 21 August 2021. Elder Randall K. Bennett of the Quorum of the Seventy presided at the event.

During his remarks, Elder Bennett said, “Brothers and sisters, I know you will make this temple, and more importantly Jesus Christ, the center of your lives. Thank you for your examples of faith and diligence, hope [and] love.” He continued, “I pray that this will be the first temple district full of members, or among the first, where attendance will be virtually standing room only. So this temple is filled with faithful Latter-day Saints serving their ancestors, serving one another.”

Several local Latter-day Saints shared testimonies during the groundbreaking ceremony, including Elder T. Michael Price, an Area Seventy. He said, “In temples, and elsewhere, we receive ordinances and make covenants with God that change our very nature and bless our lives.” Sister Brenda Miller of the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania North Stake said, “Having this temple here in Pittsburgh reminds me of His love for all of us. I know this temple will be a great blessing to many people, and I am excited for the opportunity that it will give others to hopefully gain the same peace and reassurance that I’ve been able to have.”

In a dedicatory prayer, Elder Bennett prayed, “Please let today’s groundbreaking also be a day of emotional and spiritual building in our own lives and families. Please bless us and our families with a refreshed commitment and enthusiasm for fully living thy gospel.”

Attendance at the groundbreaking ceremony was by invitation only, while those who reside in the temple district were able to watch a broadcast.[5]”Groundbreaking Held for Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, 21 Aug. 2021.

GROUNDBREAKING ORDER
209

Date2021 08 21
ByRandall K. Bennett
RoleSeventy
Attendees##

⮜Preceded by Salvador Brazil
Followed by Nairobi Kenya

Dedication and Open House Announced

On 15 April 2024 the Church announced the open house and dedication dates for the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple.[6]“News for Temples in Mendoza, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Kananga.” newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org, 15 Apr. 2024, newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/mendoza-cleveland-pittsburgh-kananga-temples.

Open House

A public open house for the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple was held from Friday, 16 August through Saturday, 31 August 2024, excluding Sundays. Before the public tours, a media day occurred on Monday, August 12, 2024, followed by three days of tours for invited guests. [7]Toone, Trent. “Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf Dedicates Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple.” Church News, 19 Sept. 2024, www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2024/09/15/elder-uchtdorf-dedicates-pittsburgh-pennsylvania-temple-bridge-earth-heaven.

Start Date2024 08 16
End Date2024 08 31
Days14
Attendees#
Per dayA/D

Dedication

On 15 September 2024, nearly 200 years since the first Latter-day Saints were in Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple was dedicated to stand as a testament of faith and resilience.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, inspired by Pittsburgh’s moniker “City of Bridges,” said before the dedication: “This is a place where earth is connected to heaven and the other way around. It is a flow of information and of wonderful inspiration and revelation. The house of the Lord is here to make covenants which connect us to heaven. These bridges, from one side to the other, from earth to heaven, are real.”

Elder Uchtdorf, who dedicated the Pittsburgh temple, was accompanied by his wife, Sister Harriet Uchtdorf; Elder Mathias Held, a General Authority Seventy and first counselor in the North America Northeast Area presidency, and his wife, Sister Irene Held; and Elder Craig C. Christensen, a General Authority Seventy and assistant executive director of the Church’s Temple Department, and his wife, Sister Debbie Christensen.

Elder Uchtdorf shared that in the early days of the Restoration of the Church, there was much tribulation in its growth. But the members have shown just how faithful the members in Pittsburgh are. Thanks to the faith and service of many dedicated members, the Church in the area had grown to three stakes — Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh North and Pittsburgh West — by the time the Pittsburgh temple was dedicated.

DEDICATION ORDER
196

Date2024 09 15
ByDieter F. Uchtdorf
RoleApostle
Sessions2
Attendees#

⮜Preceeded by Layton Utah
Followed by Mendoza Argentina

Dedicatory Prayer

Construction Duration

SpanDuration
Announced
to
Groundbreaking
1 y,
4 m,
16 d
Groundbreaking
to
Dedication
3 y,
0 m,
25 d
Announced
to
Dedication
4 y,
5 m,
10 d

Dedicatory Order

GLOBAL

196

REGION
N. AM.
126

COUNTRY
US
94

STATE
PENNSYLVANIA
2

COUNTY
BUTLER
1

CITY
CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP
1

Summary

The Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple was the 196th active Temple in the Church, the 127th in North America, The 94th in the United States, the Second in Pennsylvania, and the first in both Butler County and Cranberry Township.

At the time of Dedication there were 100 Temples awaiting Groundbreaking, 54 Temples under construction, and 8 temples under renovation.

Detail

Scheduled for Groundbreaking

Announced

Presidents

Temple PresidentTemple MatronYears Served
James Martin JindraElizabeth Louise Twigg Jindra2024–

Details

Location

The temple would stand north of Pittsburgh not far from the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76). The temple sits on a 5.8-acre plot, and the landscaping around the temple features flower gardens and grass fields.

The landscaping was designed by Langan Engineering and installed by Eisler Landscapes, both located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Because Pittsburgh is known as the “City of Bridges,” a granite bridge was incorporated into the landscaping design of the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple grounds. The bridge connects the house of the Lord to a nearby meetinghouse, and spans a storm-water retention basin.

Site

NO visitors’ center open to the public
NO arrival center available
NO patron housing available
NO distribution center on site or nearby

Location

Address
2093 Powell Road
Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania 16066
United States

Latitude40.694093
Longitude-80.140677

Phone

(+1) 878-208-1325

Elevation

FeetMeters
1,076328

Site

AcresHectares
5.82.3

Exterior

The temple is a steel-frame structure with granite cladding. The steel structure was fabricated by Littell Steel and installed by Century Steel, both located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Cladding

The exterior stone cladding is granite from Portugal and was installed by Cleveland Marble of Cleveland, Ohio.

Windows

The exterior fo the temple is filled with tall rectangle windows Set in large metal panels. The windows are mostly arranged in a triptych pattern with a larger center window.

The art glass features a dogwood tree and flower motif done in golds, purple, pinks, greens, blue-yellow gradient and jewels (frosted). It was designed by HKS, Lisman Studio and Holdman Studios and was fabricated and installed by Holdman Studios of Lehi, Utah.

Transom panel

Most of the windows on the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple is topped with a large ornamental rectangle panel featuring bas relief designs of flowers and leaves.

Exterior Finish

Granite

Architectural Features

text

FeetMeters
Height12538.1
To Shoulder29.58.99
Width16049.07
Length20060.91
Footprint22,3002,071.73

Symbolism

Inscription
Location

There is a single inscription on the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple. It is on the east side of the temple above the archway in the portico that leads to the front door.

HOLINESS TO THE LORD ◊ THE HOUSE OF THE LORD

Order:Holiness > House
Location:East side, top of portico
Language:English
Type:Engraved
Color:Gold
Setting:Granite
Font:Michelangelo
Glyph
ChurchNameNo
Temple NameNo
DatesNo
Cornerstone

Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple is located on the middlemost south east corner of the temple, facing east, within the watercourse of stone.

ERECTED

2024

LocationSoutheast corner
Faceseast
Materialgranite
Setflush
Edgeflush
Typeengraved
Finishunadorned
Languageenglist

Spires and Finial

Spires

A Single spire is located centrally above thet emple. The tower portion conssists of three sections of decreasing size, the top and bottoms ections featureing windows. The twoer is square in cgeneral shap, with square corner pillars on each level.

Atop the twoer is a gold colored metal cupola, pyramid shaped, topped with a finial. it was placed 9 June 2023.

Spire Details

Spires1
LocationCenter
Finishstone
Typesteeple
shapesquare
Tower shapesquare
Finial

The finial of the temple is square in cross section. at about the bottom quarter point are four arrowhead sshaped fins set at each of the corner points, leaving the center hollow.

The Final was placed atop the spire 9 June 2023.

Spire Details

FinishMetal
Placed2023 06 09
ColorGold/brass
Height26.5′
Weight#

Interior

The design motif of this house of the Lord centers on the mountain laurel — Pennsylvania’s state flower — and the pink and white blossoms of the dogwood tree.

The carpet throughout the temple is soft gold and green patterned. Solid green pile is used in the administration area. It was fabricated by Bentley Mills in City of Industry, California, and installed by Re:Source Utah CFS, located in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The temple’s interior stone is Crema Ella marble from Turkey, accented with Inca Gold, Azul Macuba Emperador Light, Costa Esmerelda and Safran. The tile was fabricated by Metamar of Turkey and installed by Global Stone and Tile in Utah.

All other areas are a light-beige vinyl wallcovering.

All the paint and wallcovering installation was done by Thomarios of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The lighting in all other areas is frosted glass with brass and crystal accents. The lighting was fabricated by HB Lighting in Bronx, New York, and Preciosa Lighting in Dallas, Texas, and the Czech Republic. It was installed by Ferry Electric in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Entry

Nylon rugs are used throughout the entry and waiting areas. They are manufactured by Rugs International in Cartersville, Georgia.

Area73,492 f2
(2,995.19 m2)
Floors above grade1
Floors below Grade0.25
Baptistries1
Initiatories10*
Endowment Rooms2
Sealing Rooms2

Baptistry

The baptistry of the Pittsburgh Temple is on the North Center side, and features cream stone interior, with tarnished brass oxen.

Baptistries:1
Location:North Center
Exterior Windows:Yes
Artwork:Yes
Artwork Type:Framed
Oxen:12
Type:1/4
Hoof:Visible
Color:Tarnished Brasss
Layout:3 spread each at Compass
Font Exterior:Cream Stone
Interior:White Tile
Shape:Round
Bowl Shape:Round
Pillar:Reeds
Stairs:Single, Center
Font Well:Interior

Instruction Rooms

The instruction rooms feature a striated linen patterned vinyl wall covering.

Rooms2
TypeStationary
Capacity40
Muralsn
Total Muraled Rooms0
Mural Typena
*Estimated

Celestial Room

The celestial room is in the center of the temple, directly under the spire. The carpet is white sculpted broadloom. The vinyl wallcovering in the celestial room has an organic leaf pattern. The center of the room features crystal chandeliers.

Sealing Room

The carpet in the sealing room is white sculpted broadloom. The sealing room features crystal chandeliers.

Rooms2
Largest capacity#

Brides Room

The bride’s room features custom wall-to-wall nylon rugs using the dogwood motif. Nylon rugs are used throughout the entry and waiting areas. They are manufactured by Rugs International in Cartersville, Georgia.

Clothing Issue
Yes

Contractors

Architect

HKS was the architect for this temple.

text

Projects by HKS Architects

ProjectYears
Atlanta Georgia 2009
Chicago Illinois2013
Columbus Ohio2019
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania2020-2024
Yorba Linda California2022

General Contractor

Jacobsen Construction was the General Contractor for this project.

Other Contractor

The Landscape Architect for this project was Langan Engineering.

The Landscaper was Eisler Landscapes.

Littell Steel manufactured teh structural steel.

Structural steel was installed by Century Steel.

Carpet was fabricated by Bentley Mills in City of Industry, California.

Carpet was installed by Re:Source Utah CFS, located in Salt Lake City.

The stone interior tile was fabricated by Metamar of Turkey.

Interior stone was installed by Global Stone and Tile in Utah.

Interior paintwork was done by Thomarios of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The lighting was fabricated by HB Lighting in Bronx, New York, and Preciosa Lighting in Dallas, Texas, and the Czech Republic. It was installed by Ferry Electric in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The baptismal font’s brass railing with glass panels was installed and fabricated by Belt Forge of Colombia.

The main entry exterior doors were fabricated by Ellison Bronze in the United States and installed by Southwest Aluminum in Cuddy, Pennsylvania.

The exterior windows were fabricated by Kawneer, headquartered in Norcross, Georgia, and installed by Southwest Aluminum, located in Cuddy, Pennsylvania. The interior doors were fabricated and installed by Masterpiece Millwork, located in Tijuana, Mexico.

The temple’s ceilings feature gypsum board and acoustic ceiling tiles. The framing and drywall were installed by Easley & Rivers of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The stained millwork is anigre and maple, and the painted millwork is maple and poplar. They were fabricated and installed by Masterpiece Millwork of Tijuana, Mexico.

The temple’s original artwork includes “God Doth Provide” by Kenneth Corbett and “October Dawn” by Adair Payne.

Lisman Studio and HKS Architects in conjunction with Holdman Studios designed and manufactured the art glass for this temple. Holdman Studios did the install.

Projects by Holdman Studios

ProjectYears
Snowflake Arizona2000-2002
San Antonio Texas2001-2005
Manhattan New York2002-2004
Rexburg Idaho2003-2008
Draper Utah2004-2009
Twin Falls Idaho2004-2008
São Paulo Brazil2004
Laie Hawaii2005
San Salvador El Salvador2007-2011
Rome Italy2008-2019
Cordoba Argentina2008-2015
Trujillo Peru2008-2015
Gilbert Arizona2008-2014
Laie Hawaii2008-2010
Payson Utah2010-2015
Tijuana Mexico2010-2015
Ogden Utah2010-2014
Paris France2011-2017
Boise Idaho2011-2012
Winnipeg Manitoba2011-2021
Suva Fiji2014-2015
Cedar City Utah2015-2017
Mesa Arizona2015?
Saratoga Springs2017-2023
Pocatello Idaho2017-2021
Memphis Tennessee2017-2019
Raleigh North Carolina2017-2019
Oklahoma City Oklahoma2017-2019
Tokyo Japan20172022
Idaho Falls2017
Red Cliffs Utah2018-2024
Phnom Pehn Cambodia2018
Orem Utah2019-2024
Bentonville Arkansas2019-2023
Tallahassee Florida2020
Elko Nevada2021
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania2021-2024

Region

Alabama2Birmingham · Huntsville
Alaska1Anchorage · Fairbanks
Arizona7Gilbert · Mesa · Phoenix · Queen Creek · Snowflake · The Gila Valley · Tucson · Yuma
Arkansas1Bentonville
California12Bakersfield · Feather River · Fresno · Los Angeles · Modesto · Newport · Oakland · Redlands · Sacramento · San Diego · San Jose · Yorba Linda
Colorado4Colorado Springs · Denver · Fort Collins · Grand Junction
Connecticut1Hartford
Florida5Fort Lauderdale · Jacksonville · Orlando · Tallahassee · Tampa
Georgia1Atlanta
Hawaii4Honolulu · Kahului · Kona · Laie
Idaho10Boise · Burley · Coeur d’Alene · Idaho Falls · Meridian · Montpelier · Pocatello · Rexburg · Teton River · Twin Falls
Illinois2Chicago · Nauvoo
Indiana1Indianapolis
Iowa1Des Moines
Kansas1Wichita
Kentucky1Louisville
Louisiana1Baton Rouge
Maryland1Washington D.C.
Massachusetts1Boston
Michigan2Detroit · Grand Rapids
Minnesota1St. Paul
Missouri3Kansas City · Springfield · St. Louis
Montana3Billings · Helena · Missoula
Nebraska1Winter Quarters
Nevada4Elko · Las Vegas · Lone Mountain · Reno
New Jersey1Summit
New Mexico2Albuquerque · Farmington
New York2Manhattan · Palmyra
North Carolina2Charlotte · Raleigh
North Dakota1Bismarck
Ohio3Cincinnati · Cleveland · Columbus
Oklahoma2Oklahoma City · Tulsa
Oregon3Medford · Portland · Willamette Valley ·
Pennsylvania3Harrisburg · Philadelphia · Pittsburgh
South Carolina1Columbia
Tennessee3Knoxville · Memphis · Nashville
Texas10Austin · Dallas · El Paso · Fort Worth · Houston South · Houston · Lubbock · McAllen · McKinney · San Antonio
Utah30
Virginia3Richmond · Roanoke · Winchester
Washington6Columbia River · Moses Lake · Seattle · Spokane · Tacoma · Vancouver
Wisconsin1Milwaukee
Wyoming3Casper · Cody · Star Valley
Canada11Calgary · Cardston · Edmonton · Halifax · Lethbridge · Montreal · Regina · Toronto · Vancouver · Victoria · Winnipeg
Costa Rica1San José
Dominican Republic1Santiago · Santo Domingo
El Salvador1San Salvador · Santa Ana
Guatemala6Cobán · Guatemala City · Huehuetenango · Miraflores Guatemala City · Quetzaltenango · Retalhuleu
Haiti1Port-au-Prince ·
Honduras2Tegucigalpa · San Pedro Sula
Mexico26
Nicaragua1Managua
Panama1Panama City
Puerto Rico1San Juan
United States143

Sources and Citations

References

References
1 “Prophet Announces Six New Temples at October 2020 General Conference.” newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org, 4 Oct. 2020, newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/october-2020-general-conference-temples.
2, 3 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, “Location and Rendering Released for Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple,” 19 Jan. 2021
4 “Groundbreakings Announced for Temples in Pennsylvania and Kenya.” newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org, 14 July 2021, newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/groundbreakings-announced-for-temples-in-pennsylvania-and-kenya.
5 ”Groundbreaking Held for Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, 21 Aug. 2021.
6 “News for Temples in Mendoza, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Kananga.” newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org, 15 Apr. 2024, newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/mendoza-cleveland-pittsburgh-kananga-temples.
7 Toone, Trent. “Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf Dedicates Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple.” Church News, 19 Sept. 2024, www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2024/09/15/elder-uchtdorf-dedicates-pittsburgh-pennsylvania-temple-bridge-earth-heaven.