Newport Beach California Temple Wiki

The First Presidency announced on 20 April 2001 that a temple would be built in Newport Beach, California.^[7]“Three Temples Announced for California”, Ensign, July 2001. Accessed 6 August 2017.

It was announced in conjunction with the Redlands California and Scramento California Temples.

California Temples at Time of Announcement

Announced

• Sacramento California
• Redlands California

Under Construction

• –

Dedicated

• Fresno California [2000]
• San Diego California [1993]
• Oakland California [1964]
• Los Angeles California [1956]

On 23 October 2001, an official exterior rendering was released for the Newport Beach California Temple. ^[9]Lobdell, William, “Mormons Unveil a Towering Temple.” Los Angeles Times, 24 October 2001.

The render showed a granite 35-foot temple with an 83-foot spire topped by an 8-foot golden statue of the angel Moroni.
The one-story 17,500-square-foot Art Deco building will be accented with arches and elaborate window artwork.

Around March 2003 a new, updated official render was released.

Ground was broken for the temple, Orange County’s first, on Friday, 15 August 2003, in the presence of area authorities, local Church leaders, civic leaders, temple architects, and media representatives. Elder Duane B. Gerrard, first counselor in the North America West Area presidency, presided and dedicated the temple site.^[13]Peterson, Kathleen Lubeck. “Ground broken for Newport Beach Temple.” Church News 23 August 2003. 30 August 2003 http://www.desnews.com/cn/view/1,1721,380002132,00.html. The ceremony, which marks the beginning of construction, is the byproduct of compromise between the Church and nearby homeowners, who strongly opposed the originally proposed height, color, and lighting of the temple, fearing it would decrease property values and increase traffic. Construction of the temple, located on a lot adjacent to the Newport Beach California Stake Center, is expected to last about 18 months.^[14]Minaya, Zeke. “Rites launch major Mormon site in county.” Los Angeles Times 16 August 2003. 17 August 2003 http://www.latimes.com/news/local/orange/la-me-temple16aug16,1,6943526.story?coll=la-editions-orange.

Ground was broken in the presence of area authorities, local Church leaders, civic leaders, temple architects, and media representatives.

Prior to the dedication an open house was held 23 July–20 August 2005. 175,000 people attended during the 25  day Open House an open house, an average of  7,000 per day.^[16] Penrod, Sam (August 28, 2005). “LDS Temple Dedicated in Newport Beach”. ksl.com. KSL-TV. Retrieved December 29, 2014. 10,076 people attended on the final Saturday

Church President Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated the house of the Lord on Aug. 28, 2005. In his dedicatory prayer, the Prophet said, “May the presence of this beautiful structure lead to interest and desire on the part of those who are not members of [the] Church, that they may be led to inquire and learn the truths of the everlasting gospel.”

A Newport Beach local, who had been among protesters against the temple construction, said after its completion: “Seeing the beauty of the temple and what it adds to the neighborhood, I’m sorry I ever opposed it.”

Another local expressed a similar excitement for the new structure: “It is totally awesome, and the hosts treated us like visiting royalty. We saw nothing short of a first-class effort, and we’re proud to have the temple as our new neighbor.”

In attendance with President Hinckley were President James E. Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency; and Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Seventy.

The Temple is located on an 8.8-acre campus, on Bonita Canyon Road, at Prairie Drive, near California State Route 73.^[18] Cunningham, Bill (December 28, 2007). “In The Spirit: Misconceptions follow Mormon faith”. The Orange County Register. Retrieved December 29, 2014.^[19]Lobdell, William (July 13, 2001). “Mormons Pick Site, Give Details of Proposed Temple in Newport”. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 7,2015.

As with many of it’s contemporary temples, the Newport Beach California Temple is built on the grounds of an existing stake center and shares parking with it.

Similar to the Redlands California Temple, it uses interior and exterior architectural themes consistent with what was used in the Spanish missions of the early Western US and Mexico.^[20] Davis, Erik (2006). The Visionary State: A Journey Through California’s Spiritual Landscape. San Francisco, California: Chronicle Books. p. 28.

Cladding

The exterior skin incorporates 29,200 SF of intricately carved Salisbury Pink Granite with the sitework and paving utilizing 20,476 SF of natural stone. Salisbury Pink Granite was chosen for this unique temple to ensure it would blend with its surroundings.

Water Course

The bottom most course of stone is a plished version of the stone that gives a darker appearance.

Windows

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Spandrel panel

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The temple is topped by a cupola topped with a statue of the angel Moroni.

On January 13, 2005, a statue of the angel Moroni crowned the temple. During placement, a remarkable solar halo was visible, which surrounded the sun. Once Moroni was in place, the phenomenon dissipated.^[21]Barbara Bell, “OC Register Photo/NB Angel Halo,” Email to Rick Satterfield, 15 Jan. 2005.

The temple has a total of 17,800 square feet (1,650 m2), two ordinance rooms, and three sealing rooms.

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The interior includes murals of the California coast.^[22]Dodero, Tony (July 29, 2005). “New Mormon temple welcomes visitors”. Huntington Beach Independent. Retrieved December 29, 2014.

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 Jacobsen Construction