Antofagasta Chile Temple Wiki

The Antofagasta Chile Temple was announced on April 7, 2019, by President Russell M. Nelson in his concluding remarks at the Sunday Afternoon Session of General Conference. Chile’s second temple, the Concepción Chile Temple, was dedicated just six months prior in October 2018.

The temple was announced in conjunction with temples for Pago Pago American Samoa, Okinawa Japan, Neiafu Tonga, Tooele Vally Utah, Moses Lake Washington, San Pedro Sula Honduras, and Budapest Hungary.^[2]”Prophet Announces Eight New Temples at April 2019 General Conference”, Newsroom, LDS Church, 7 April 2019. https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/eight-new-temples-april-2019-general-conference

Chile Temples at Time of Announcement

Announced

• –

Under Construction

• –

Dedicated

• Santiago Chile [1983.]
• Concepción Chile [2018]

On 2 October 2020, an official exterior rendering of the Antofagasta Chile Temple was released to the public, featuring a Spanish Colonial-style temple of two stories and 23,000 square feet. A housing facility will also be constructed on site.^[4]“Groundbreakings Announced for Two South American Temples.” Newsroom.Churchofjesuschrist.Org, 2 Oct. 2020, newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/groundbreakings-announced-for-temples-in-south-america.

On Friday, 27 November 2020, a groundbreaking ceremony was held, signaling the beginning of construction of the Antofagasta Chile Temple. Elder Juan Pablo Villar, a General Authority Seventy and a member of the South America South Area Presidency, presided at the event. He was joined by his wife, Sister Carola Villar.

He said, “We should be grateful to our Father for having chosen Antofagasta as a place to be a light to the nations, for shining His divine light to the hearts of those who have their eye on rewards beyond what the world has to offer.” He further commented, “From this day on and for several years, the construction of the temple will be carried out. This will require coordination and work to excavate, remove rocks and materials that are not needed, to prepare it so that it is ready for the foundation that will make it a firm and stable House of the Lord.”

A public open house for the Antofagasta Chile Temple was held from Wednesday, May 14, through Saturday, May 24, 2025, excluding Sundays. A media day kicked off the event on Monday, May 12, followed by invited guest tours on Tuesday, May 13.

Just six months before the 100th anniversary of the beginnings of the restored gospel in South America, Chilean Latter-day Saints celebrated a third house of the Lord in their country. The Antofagasta Chile Temple was dedicated June 15, 2025, by Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Elder Stevenson said that “this temple dedication serves as a testament of the patience, strength and devotion of the Saints who reside in this beautiful region of Chile.” The edifice is a place where, he said, all can learn of their Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness and make covenants with Him and with the Savior, Jesus Christ. “We are children of a loving Heavenly Father who desires that we return and live in His presence as an eternal family,” Elder Stevenson said.

He was accompanied at the dedicatory service by his wife, Sister Lesa Stevenson. They were joined by Elder Kevin R. Duncan, a General Authority Seventy and executive director of the Church’s Temple Department, and his wife, Sister Nancy Duncan; as well as Elder Eduardo Gavarret, General Authority Seventy and second counselor in the South America South Area presidency, and his wife, Sister Norma Gavarret.

Elder Stevenson said the Lord is inspiring His servants to build temples because first, the house of the Lord helps Heavenly Father’s children fulfill their divine potential. And second, temples are all about families. “Understanding the eternal nature of the temple will draw you closer to your family; understanding the eternal nature of the family will draw you closer to the temple,” he said. “It is in the temple that sacred ordinances take place, which bind or seal families together eternally.”

A 13.3-acre parcel located at the intersection of N 800 West and W 100 North has been chosen as the location for the temple.

Outside the building, the spaces have been terraced to take advantage of the natural slope of the land and feature small plazas and benches for quiet moments of reflection and contemplation.

The gardens surrounding this House of the Lord feature a variety of trees, shrubs, flowers, and plants native to northern Chile. In addition to their color, variety, and beauty, these species have been selected for their drought resistance and suitability for Antofagasta’s desert climate. The gardens have been designed with water conservation in mind. The perimeter fences are made of painted prefabricated iron.

Plans call for a two-story temple of approximately 23,000 square feet.

The interior design motifs of the Antofagasta Temple are inspired by the coastal environment, including details such as seashells and geometric patterns inspired by the sea. The color palette references the blues and whites of the desert sky. One of the predominant design features is the beautiful stained-glass windows with rich orange and blue hues.

The temple floors are a combination of soft nylon rugs and light cream and Crema Marfil marble tiles, accented with brightly colored hand-woven wool rugs, whose designs and tones are similar to those found in the stained-glass windows.

The wall finish combines eggshell and satin paint, complemented by gold leaf and blue and coral stencils around the ceilings and upper bays.

Lighting throughout the temple includes crystal chandeliers, wall sconces, and bronze and acrylic bowls.

Doors, frames, and panels are made of dark African sapele wood, with custom-designed decorative glass and bronze hardware.

Railings throughout the temple are made of bronze, wood, and glass. The patterns used on the bronze structures are inspired by the sea, aligning with the rest of the temple’s design motifs.

This sacred structure is a concrete and steel building with a single tower over the entrance.

Cladding

The entire exterior is finished with cream-colored Turkish limestone cladding.