Praia Cabo Verde Temple Wiki

On 7 October 2018, President Russell M. Nelson announced plans for the construction of the Praia Cape Verde Temple during his closing remarks at the 188th Semiannual General Conference.

A temple in Praia would make the sacred ordinances of the temple an attainable blessing for Church members who belonged to the Madrid Spain Temple district and would soon be transferred to the Lisbon Portugal Temple district.^[1]”Twelve Temples Announced as October 2018 General Conference Closes,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, 7 Oct. 2018.

On 8 February 2019, the official rendering of the Praia Cape Verde Temple was released to the public. It depicted a two-toned exterior with a domed steeple rising over the entrance, reflective of local architectural styles.^[3]“Groundbreaking Date Set for Praia Cabo Verde Temple.” newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org, 8 Feb. 2019, newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/groundbreaking-date-set-praia-cabo-verde-temple.

On Saturday, 4 May 2019, Elder Paul V. Johnson, president of the Europe Area, presided at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Praia Cape Verde Temple. He explained the significance of the construction of a temple in the country: “For Cabo Verde’s faithful sons and daughters the blessing of having a temple of the Lord in their own country is a powerful reminder of the Lord’s promise in the Book of Mormon that He remembers His children upon the isles of the sea.”^[5]”Ground Broken for Three International Temples,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, 4 May 2019.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Praia Cape Verde Temple was held on the same day as the groundbreaking ceremonies for the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple and Yigo Guam Temple.

During the public open house of the Praia Cape Verde Temple held 21 May to 11 June 2022, over 10,000 guests toured the interior of the temple. Dignitaries included the President of the Republic of Cabo Verde, the Prime-Minister of Cabo Verde, the Mayor of the city of Praia, the President of the National Assembly of Cabo Verde, and a former President of the Republic of Cabo Verde.^[8]“More Than Ten Thousand Visitors at Praia Cabo Verde Temple Public Open House.” news-uk.churchofjesuschrist.org, 15 June 2022, news-uk.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/more-than-ten-thousand-visitors-at-praia-cabo-verde-temple.

Elder Neil L. Andersen dedicated the Praia Cape Verde Temple in three sessions on 19 June 2022. Elder Andersen was accompanied for the dedication-weekend events by his wife, Sister Kathy Andersen; Elder Kevin R. Duncan, a General Authority Seventy and executive director of the Temple Department, and his wife, Sister Nancy Duncan; Elder Rubén V. Alliaud, a General Authority Seventy and second counselor in the Europe North Area presidency, and his wife, Sister Fabiana Alliaud.

In addition to the cornerstone ceremony outside during the morning’s first dedicatory session, Sister Andersen, Elder Duncan, and Elder Alliaud joined the Apostle in speaking at different times during one of the three sessions. Other speakers included the temple presidency, matrons and assistant matrons, and three local youth.

Cabo Verde had been experiencing a drought since 2017, causing food insecurities in the area. In the dedicatory prayer for the Praia Cape Verde Temple, Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles blessed the area that “the clouds may produce rain.” Later that day, after the final dedication of the temple, rain came. It was considered a miracle by the Latter-day Saints in Praia, and the news of the “miracle of the rain” would travel around the world.

Not only did it rain that day, it continued to rain the rest of the week in a steady downpour that allowed the ground to absorb the water rather than create floods. It created hope for locals who were preparing for the upcoming harvest. The rain also became widespread across the 10-island nation.

President David J. Wunderli and Sister Diane Wunderli, mission leaders in Cape Verde at the time, told Elder Andersen in an email about the miracle of the rain. “In our time here, we have yet to see the likes of this. The islands are green, and there is a noticeable spirit of optimism felt in every town.”

Elder Andersen said that the Praia Cape Verde Temple would be a “beacon of light and truth” to the country. “Think of the good men and women who have lived their lives in these islands and who have, in the spirit world, increased their faith in Jesus Christ and are awaiting these ordinances,” he said.

“Holiness to the Lord is much more than the words,” said Elder Andersen, who dedicated the Praia temple on June 19, 2022. “It is something we are taught in the soul.”

He continued, saying that “in the records of heaven, this is one of the most important days for Cabo Verde in the whole history of the world.”^[10]Taylor, Scott. “Scott Taylor: An Apostle’s Prayer for the Praia Temple and ‘The Miracle of the Rain.’” Church News, 11 Jan. 2024, www.thechurchnews.com/2022/6/30/23218793/elder-andersen-prayer-for-praia-cape-verde-temple-miracle-of-rain.^[11]Taylor, Scott. “Ongoing ‘Miracle of the Rain’ After Cape Verde Temple Dedication.” Church News, 10 Jan. 2024, www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/9/20/23354005/miracle-of-the-rain-continues-praia-cape-verde-temple-dedication-elder-andersen.^[12]Taylor, Scott. “How The New Praia Cape Verde Temple Will Bless the Country and Its People, Increase Holiness and Complete Families.” Church News, 11 Jan. 2024, www.thechurchnews.com/2022/6/20/23218664/praia-cape-verde-temple-dedication-elder-andersen.

The temple is located on the island of Santiago, the largest island in the country.

Site

The landscaping was designed to evoke peace and tranquility and complement the temple and the adjacent chapel. All plantings in the temple gardens came from local nurseries. While many of the plants are native to the islands, some species are native to other parts of the world. The selection was based on the plants’ characteristics and their adaptability to the local climate and environment. There are dozens of shade trees, flowering trees such as plumeria, and a variety of palms. In addition, there are hundreds of flowering shrubs, hedges, perennials, and succulents. Topiaris, based in Lisbon, Portugal, was in charge of the design and installation of the land.

A chapel was also built on the site and is in the style of the other chapels on the island.

The sidewalks surrounding the temple are made of limestone and basalt cubes, quarried in Portugal and finished in Spain, along with some cement flooring. The fences and handrails are stainless steel and were manufactured in Portugal and painted to match the temple’s metal elements.

Cladding

The reinforced concrete structure is a single-story building with a spire and details that reflect the architectural styles of Cabo Verde. The exterior features a plaster stucco finish with Moleanos limestone panels and accent ornaments around doors, windows, and parapet caps. The limestone used in the exterior finish is from Portugal. The building’s style is understated, with simple lines consistent with the style of the islands and reflecting many of the traditional public and religious structures in Cabo Verde.

Water Course

Moleanos Limestone from Portugal panels comprise the foundational course of stone on the temple exterior.

Windows

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Transom panel

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Spandrel panel

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The temple features a spire reaching 80 feet (24.4 meters) that has been described as reflective of the architectural styles in the area. The spire is on the center of the south-east side of the temple. The entry is at the base of the spire.

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