Austin Texas Temple Wiki

History

Missionary work began in Texas in 1843. In 1898, land was purchased that eventually became the East Texas colony of Kelsey, composed of 300 Church members.

There are more than 362,000 Latter-day Saints in Texas. Austin is the Texas state capital.^[1]”President Nelson Announces 17 New Temples,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, 3 Apr. 2022.

The first stake in Austin was organized in 1973. The Church has experienced rapid membership and congregational growth in the Austin area during the past 15 years. As of year-end 2021, the Church in Texas reported 371,007 members, 737 congregations, 78 stakes, two districts, and 10 missions. Membership growth rates in Spain have consistently outpaced essentially all other Western European nations for many years, with annual membership growth rates of 2-3% since the late 2000s. The number of congregations in Spain has been essentially stagnant for the past decade, although the number of wards increased from 67 in 2009 to 93 in 2019.

Announcement

Temple Site

On December 19, 2022, the location of the Austin Texas Temple was announced as a 10.6-acre site adjacent to an existing meetinghouse located at 1801 East Park Street in Cedar Park. Plans call for a single-story temple of approximately 30,000 square feet.^[3]”Three Temple Sites Announced in the Americas,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, 19 Dec. 2022. https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/three-sites-and-four-temple-renderings-announced

Temple Rendering

On September 5, 2023, the official exterior rendering for the Austin Texas Temple was released to the public.^[4]“News for Temples in Canada and Texas.” newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org, 5 Sept. 2023, https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/location-of-lethbridge-alberta-temple-announced.

Construction Status

On 6 May 2024 the Church announced the groundbreaking date for the Austin Texas Temple.^[5]“News for Temples in Brazil, Bolivia, and Texas.” newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org, 6 May 2024, newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/news-for-temples-in-brazil-bolivia-and-texas.

Groundbreaking

On Saturday, August 17, 2024, ground will be broken for the Austin Texas Temple. Elder Michael A. Dunn, Second Counselor in the North America Southwest Area Presidency, will preside at the event and offer the site dedicatory prayer. Attendance at the temple site will be by invitation only.^[6]“News for Temples in Brazil, Bolivia, and Texas.” newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org, 6 May 2024, newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/news-for-temples-in-brazil-bolivia-and-texas.