Description

History

Elder Melvin J. Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles made a historic visit to Buenos Aires on Christmas Day in 1925 to dedicate all of South America for the preaching of the gospel.

At the time, only four Mormons were living in South America. Elder Angel Abrea, a Church leader at the time the temple was built, spoke of his experience growing up in Buenos Aires as a young boy in the 1940s: “The only temple I heard about was in Salt Lake City. I couldn’t imagine a temple in my country.”The building of a temple in Argentina evidences the tremendous growth of the Church in that area. Elder Abrea not only lived to see the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple built but was also called to serve as the temple’s first president.^[1]Don L. Searle, “Elder Angel Abrea: Prepared for a Life of Service,” Ensign, Oct. 1984, 28.^[2]“Elder Angel Abrea of the First Quorum of the Seventy,” Ensign, May 1981, 96.

Announcement

Plans to construct the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple were announced on April 2, 1980.

Groundbreaking

Ground was broken for the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple on April 20, 1983. Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles presided.^[3] He passed away two years later on April 19, 1985, just eight months before the open house of the temple began.

Construction began soon after, and local members contributed to the temple project in meaningful ways. For example, women crocheted 64 altar cloths by hand for the temple even though only seven were requested.

Open House

Over 29,000 visitors toured the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple during the eight days of its public open house with some visitors waiting two and a half hours to get inside. Numerous newspapers and radio stations announced the events connected with the opening of the temple.

Many guests left poignant comments in the temple’s guest book. One said, “Very pretty, and I need to know more. It interests me.”^[3]“Buenos Aires Temple Fulfills Desire of Saints,” Ensign, Mar. 1986, 85. Another remarked that “the beauty and delicacy of the interior offered a small glimpse of the world to come.”^[4]“Buenos Aires Temple Fulfills Desire of Saints,” 85.

Dedication

The Buenos Aires Argentina Temple was dedicated January 17–19, 1986, by President Thomas S. Monson, a member of the Church’s First Presidency.

“May this temple ever stand as a beacon of righteousness, pointing to all the way of life eternal,” President Monson petitioned in his dedicatory prayer. “As we dedicate this temple, we dedicate our very lives. We desire to lay aside anything petty or sordid and reach to Thee in daily prayer and supplication, that our thoughts may be pure, our hearts and hands clean and our lives in conformity with Thy teachings. . . . May all who enter this, Thy house, be privileged to say, as did the Psalmist of old, ‘We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.’”^[5]Buenos Aires Argentina Temple dedicatory prayer, in Church News, Jan. 26, 1986,

A total of 9,630 Saints attended the eleven dedicatory sessions of the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple, many traveling long distances from within the country and from Uruguay.

Bishop Ángel Abrea as simultaneously called as a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, and, along with his wife, Sister Maria Victoria Chiapparino Abrea was called to be the first president and matron of the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple during the services.

Dedication Order

The Buenos Aires Argentina Temple was the fourth temple built in South America and the first built in Argentina.

The Buenos Aires Argentina Temple was dedicated just one week after its South American sister building, the Lima Perú Temple.

MTC And Patron Housing

The Missionary Training Center and patron housing facility that share the site of the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple were dedicated on March 5, 1994, by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, approximately eight years after the dedication of the temple.

Renovation

Announced

On2 September 2009 it was announced that the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple would close for an anticipated 18 months for a renovation of the temple. The renovation was to include mechanical upgrades to the temple’s mechanical systems.^[6] “Buenos Aires Temple to Close in November.” Church News, 12 Sept. 2009,.

Commencement

On November 1, 2009, the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple closed for a renovation that instead took nearly three years The renovation expanded the temple with the addition of two new wings connected by a central foyer. Argentine details were used throughout the building including art glass featuring the colors of the Argentine flag, decorative painting and gold leafing reflecting patterns from historic architecture in Buenos Aires, and decorative wood trim and paneling featuring Anigre and Makore hardwoods from Africa. The landscaping and gardens were redesigned to include a beautiful entry plaza and fountain.

Open House

Before the temple’s rededication, another open house was held from August 4 to 25, 2012, and was attended by nearly 100,000 visitors.

A cultural celebration was held on September 8, 2012, and featured dancing and music performed by a cast of young Mormons from the area.

Rededication

The following day, September 9, the temple was rededicated in three sessions by President Henry B. Eyring, a counselor in the Church’s First Presidency.^[7] Swensen, Jason. “Buenos Aires Argentina Temple Rededicated.” Church News, 15 Sept. 2012, https://www.thechurchnews.com/archives/2012-09-15/buenos-aires-argentina-temple-rededicated-49830.

Presidents

Temple President	Years Served
Horacio J. Nieto	2018–2018
Emilio C. Canga	2015–2018
Carlos R. Fernández	2012–2015
N. Earl Deschamps	2006–2009
Ángel J. Sulé	2005–2006
Donald E. Jacobson	2003–2005
Hugo R. Gazzoni	2000–2003
E. Lionel Brady	1997–2000
Hugo N. Salvioli	1994–1997
Rodolfo W. Mortensen	1992–1994
Ángel M. Fernández	1989–1992
Egeo A. Gabasa	1987–1989
Ángel Abrea	1986–1987

Details

Location

Located on the western outskirts of Buenos Aires approximately 14 miles from downtown in the suburb of Ciudad Evita, the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple is easily accessible from the Teniente General Pablo Ricchieri Freeway.

Landscaping

The temple and its grounds are situated on 3.73 manicured acres, and the grounds are open to the public. Lovely gardens surround the temple, and several pathways and benches beckon visitors to linger and ponder on the things of heaven. Captivating water fountains are also located at each end of the temple.

Also on site are a Missionary Training Center, temple worker housing facility, and patron housing facility.

Exterior

Notable features of the building include its large sloping rooftops, six soaring spires, and three wings branching from a central foyer.

Cladding

The exterior finish is light gray Argentine granite.

Windows

Stained-glass windows in shades of blue and white pay homage to the Argentine flag.

Spire and Moroni

Spire

The Buenos Aires Argentina Temple features a modern six-spire design.

Moroni

On August 1, 2011, a new angel Moroni statue was hoisted atop the tallest spire of the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple in conjunction with its renovation.