Description
The Helsinki Finland Temple is the 124th operating temple, the 1st in Finland and the 10th in Europe. Located at Leppäsillantie 3 in Espoo, it once served the geographically largest temple district of the church, which included Finland, the Baltic states, and all of Russia.[ref name=”rick”] Satterfield, Rick, Helsinki Finland Temple, LDSChurchTemples.com. retrieved 16 October 2012.[/ref] It was the final temple dedicated by President Hinckley.
History
Announcement
President Gordon B. Hinckley announced on 2 April 2000 that a temple would be built near Helsinki giving the closing talk of the 170th Annual General Conference of the Church. It was announced in conjunction with the Aba Nigeria, Asunción, Paraguay, Lubbock Texas, Snowflake, Arizona and Columbia River Washington Temples.[1]Gordon B. Hinckley, “A Time of New Beginnings,” LDS.org, 2 April 2000, accessed 17 May 2017.
Announced 2 April 2000
Groundbreaking
On 29 March 2003 a site dedication and groundbreaking ceremony were held in Karakallio, a district of Espoo. Elder D. Lee Tobler, of the Second Quorum of the Seventy, presided at the ceremony and gave the site dedication prayer.
Open House
An open house was held 21 September – 7 October 2006 to allow the public to tour the temple prior to its dedication.[backref name=”rick”] 55,633 visitors attended the open house over the course of 15 days, with an average attendance of 3,709 visitors per day.
Cultural Celebration
A cultural celebration was held the evening prior to the dedication on 21 October 2006 in the LänsiAuto Arena, Helsinki.[2]Stack, Peggy Fletcher, “Hinckley heads to new dedication”, The Salt Lake Tribune, 20 October 2006, accessed 12 May 2017
Dedication
The temple was dedicated on 22 October 2006 by Gordon B. Hinckley in 4 sessions. About 1,000 members viewed the dedication’s proceedings in the temple directly. About 15,000 members attended via satellite broadcasts within the temple district. Additionally, 62 sites around the world received the satellite transmission of dedicatory sessions, including 44 in Russia and still others in the Baltic states, and in Armenia. Other sites included five in Salt Lake City.{ref] Stahle, Shaun D. , “Temple dedicated in Helsinki, Finland”, Church News, 28 October 2006. retrieved 16 October 2012[/ref] It would be the last of 86 temples Dedicated by President Hinckley (97 including rededications.)
Dedication Order
Helsinki Finland Temple was the 124th temple dedicated. At the time of its dedication there were 6 Temples under construction and another 6 announced and awaiting ground breaking.
Presidents
| TEMPLE PRESIDENT | YEARS SERVED |
|---|---|
| President Seppo O. Syvänen | 2015– |
| President O. Pekka Roto | 2012–2015 |
| President Kari J. A. Haikkola | 2009–2012 |
| President Melvin J. Luthy | 2006–2009 |
Details
the Helsinki Finland Temple has a total of 19,500 square feet (1,810 m2), two ordinance rooms, and four sealing rooms.
Exterior
Cladding
Windows
Symbolism
Inscriptions
Cornerstone
Spires and Moroni
Spire
Moroni
 | ||
| Sculptor | Karl Quilter | |
| Version | 1982 | |
| Placed | 13 October 2005 | |
| Faces | East | |
| Height | ||
| Feet | ||
| Meters | ||
Individuals/Contractors
| Manager | Hanno Luschin | |
| Architect | Evata Architects Helsinki | |
| Contractor | NR Rakennus OY | |
| Woodwork | Raision Puusepät |
[3]“Helsinki temppeli”RaisionPuusepät.com. Accessed 12 May 2017.
Sources and Links
References
| ↑1 | Gordon B. Hinckley, “A Time of New Beginnings,” LDS.org, 2 April 2000, accessed 17 May 2017. |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | Stack, Peggy Fletcher, “Hinckley heads to new dedication”, The Salt Lake Tribune, 20 October 2006, accessed 12 May 2017 |
| ↑3 | “Helsinki temppeli”RaisionPuusepät.com. Accessed 12 May 2017. |