Indianapolis Indiana Temple Wiki
Quick Facts
ANNOUNCED
2 October 2010
ANNOUNCED BY
President Thomas S. Monson
GROUNDBREAKING
29 September 2012
GROUNDBREAKING PRESIDED BY
Elder Donald L. Hallstrom
DEDICATED
23 August 2015
DEDICATED BY
Elder Henry B. Eyring
DEDICATION ORDER
148
LOCATION
11565 Temple Dr
Carmel, Indiana 46032-8859
United States
PHONE
(+1) 317-993-3800
Description
There are eleven stakes in Indiana. Prior to the construction of this temple, these Latter-day Saints traveled 130 miles to the Louisville Kentucky Temple to attend. The new Latter-day Saint temple will serve 25,000 members in the area. Church membership in Indiana at the time of the announcement was about 42,000. In 2022, it was over 46,000.
History
Latter-day Saint history in Indiana dates back to 1831, when missionaries came to Indiana to share the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. They organized congregations that met in homes until the first hall was rented in 1913. In 1927, the state’s first Mormon meetinghouse was built and dedicated by Church President Heber J. Grant.
The first stake in the state was also organized in Indianapolis on May 17, 1959, by Elder Spencer W. Kimball.
Announcement
The intention to build the temple was announced by church president Thomas S. Monson on October 2, 2010, during he opening of the 180th Semiannual General Conference.[1]Taylor, Scott (October 2, 2010), “President Thomas S. Monson opens conference by announcing 5 new temples”, Deseret News, retrieved November 11, 2012. The temple was announced concurrently with the Hartford Connecticut, Tijuana Mexico, Urdaneta Philippines and Lisbon Portugal temples.
ANNOUNCED ORDER
154
| Date | 2010 10 02 |
| By | Thomas S. Monson |
| Role | President |
| Via | General Conference |
⮜Preceded by Lisbon Portugal
Followed by Urdaneta Philippines⮞
Announced 2010 10 02
Location Announced
In early 2011, the Church announced the location of the Indianapolis Indiana Temple. It would be located in the city of Carmel on the southwest corner of the intersection of W116th and Spring Mill Road.
Temple Approval
2011 March 16
On March 16, 2011, four Church representatives presented preliminary plans to the Carmel Technical Advisory Committee for Phase I of its 48-acre development, which features the Indianapolis Indiana Temple and an adjoining meetinghouse. Parking, maintenance, and operations will be shared between the two facilities, which will operate on noncompeting schedules—the temple being used primarily on Fridays and Saturdays with modest use on weekdays and the meetinghouse being used primarily on Sundays with modest use on weekdays. A utility building will store the power, water, gas, generators, and transformers for both facilities. At the meeting, standard review comments were given by department representatives who were provided copies of the plans for further review.[2]”Carmel Technical Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes,” City of Carmel 16 Mar. 2011.
2011 April 25
On April 25, 2011, Church representative Kerry Nielsen delivered a presentation to the Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals, seeking special use approval to construct a religious complex in a residential zone. The concept site plan was presented along with a rendering of the meetinghouse and of The Gila Valley Arizona Temple, a comparable facility to the Indianapolis temple. During the public hearing, various citizens voiced concerns with the project. Their desires included
- (1) more time to learn about the project
- (2) a traffic impact study
- (3) evidence of the impact on property values
- (4) a firm commitment to residential—not commercial—for the balance of the property
- (5) proper maintenance of the residential land before its development
- (6) additional information on the residential development
- (7) no changes to the west retention pond
- (8) maintenance of the treeline buffer.
Nielsen stood to address these concerns and directed citizens to a website where they could watch unscripted videos of neighbors of other Mormon temples candidly commenting on the impact of traffic and lighting on the neighborhood and on property values.
Staff recommended approval to the Board with two conditions:
- (1) engineering department approval of the construction documents and traffic study
- (2) forestry department approval of an engineered landscape plan.
Following staff comments, Board member Leo Dierckman addressed Nielsen, firmly stating the conditions on which he would support approval including a commitment from the applicant to
- (1) maintain the proposed open space to the west
- (2) develop a maximum of 30 residential lots
- (3) rename the temple with no reference to Indianapolis, such as Carmel Indiana Temple or Indiana Temple
- (4) complete the Architectural Design, Exterior Lighting, Landscaping & Signage (ADLS) approval process.
He paid high compliments to members of the Mormon church for dedication to their faith. After 70 minutes of discussion, a motion was sustained on staff recommendation to table the item to the May 23 meeting.[3]”Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals Regular Meeting,” City of Carmel 25 Apr. 2011.
2011 May 23
On May 23, 2011, the Board of Zoning Appeals resumed its special use hearing where Kerry Nielsen stood to address concerns voiced at the previous meeting. He noted that Church representatives had contacted every neighbor who had expressed disfavor with the project in order to obtain feedback, answer questions, and provide additional explanation. He described the respectful construction practices that would be followed and noted the many favorable aspects of the project including retention of a tree buffer to the west, enlargement and improvement of the retention pond, and cultivation of 60 percent of the temple site as open space. Neighbors stood to express additional concerns including
- (1) motorists using the new roads around the temple complex as a shortcut from 116th to Springmill during high-traffic hours
- (2) retention of the treeline as is—no walkways through the trees or around the pond
- (3) increase in traffic not only because of the temple but also because of recently approved developments in the area.
Nielsen addressed these concerns, showing graphics of an additional buffer of hedges planned along the treeline and pond; there would be no activity in these areas, but they would be maintained. Staff stated that City engineering and forestry are satisfied with the plans and support the project as a good transition and buffer from residential.
Before going to a vote, Board member Leo Dierckman asked for firm commitments from the applicant including (1) that the tree buffer would be dedicated on the plat as a tree preservation area, (2) that the balance of the property would be developed under S2 residential zoning at a density not exceeding 2.4 units/acres, (3) that a minimum of 200 feet would be maintained between the middle of the road and westmost property line, (4) that an additional buffer would be planted as part of the temple construction project, and (5) that the stub road would be configured in some way to discourage shortcut traffic. Dierckman noted that he had dropped the naming restriction he had imposed in the previous meeting once he understood the naming convention practiced by the Church. Nielsen agreed to these commitments. Following a motion, the members of the Board voted 5-0 in favor of approval of the special use.[4]”Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals Regular Meeting,” City of Carmel 25 Apr. 2011.Mack, Justin L. “Mormon temple, first in Indiana, dedicated”, The Indianapolis Star, 23 August 2015. Retrieved on 2 April 2020.; Carlson, Carole. “Mormon temple opens in Indiana heartland”, Chicago Tribune, 31 July 2015. Retrieved on 2 April 2020.[/ref]
2012 December 19
On December 19, 2012, at a Board of Public Works and Safety Meeting, a request for dedication of right of way for the Indianapolis Indiana Temple, submitted by Banning Engineering, was on the agenda.
Groundbreaking
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Indianapolis Indiana Temple was held Saturday, September 29, 2012. Elder Donald L. Hallstrom of the Presidency of the Seventy presided. He was accompanied by Elder Gregory A. Schwitzer of the Second Quorum of the Seventy.[5]Boren, Michael (September 29, 2012), “Mormons celebrate groundbreaking for new temple in Carmel”, The Indianapolis Star, retrieved November 11, 2012; Mormon Temple being built in Carmel, Indianapolis, Indiana: WISH-TV, archived from the original on November 2, 2012, retrieved November 11, 2012; Walker, Joseph (September 30, 2012), “Ground broken for LDS temple in Indiana”, Deseret News, retrieved November 11, 2012.
Elder Hallstrom spoke of the focus the temple gives: “The holy temple helps us to know, in our lives, what to embrace and what to discard.”[6]“Groundbreaking for Indiana’s First Mormon Temple,” Mormon Newsroom, Sept. 29, 2012, http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/groundbreaking-for-indiana’s-first-mormon-temple.
GROUNDBREAKING ORDER
154
| Date | 2012 09 29 |
| By | Donald L. Hallstrom |
| Role | Seventy |
| Attendees | # |
⮜Preceded by Tijuana Mexico
Followed by Paris France⮞
Capstone
On October 17, 2014, the statue of the angel Moroni was lifted into place, creating a striking addition to the Carmel skyline.
Open House
An open house for the Indianapolis Indiana Temple, located in the city of Carmel, Indiana, was held from Friday, 17 July 2015 through Saturday, 8 August 2015.
The open house tours began in the church building next to the temple with the showing of a 12-minute video providing an overview of temples and why they are significant to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints. Following the video, a tour host escorted visitors through the temple, explaining the purpose of each room and answering questions as time allowed. At the conclusion of the tour, visitors were invited to a reception area to have any further questions answered.[7]Weaver, Sarah Jane. “90,000 Tour New Indianapolis Temple.” Church News, 11 Jan. 2024, www.thechurchnews.com/2015/8/20/23213283/90-000-tour-new-indianapolis-temple.
Some 3,387 Latter-day Saints served as volunteers during the open house — directing parking, weeding gardens, giving tours or cleaning the building.
| Start Date | 2015 07 17 |
| End Date | 2015 08 08 |
| Days | 15 |
| Attendees | 90,000 |
| Per day | 6,000 |
Cultural Celebration – “Gather to the Light”
Prior to the temple dedication, on Saturday, 22 August 2015, 1,600 Latter-day Saint youth, ages 12 to 18, from throughout the temple district, participated in a cultural celebration entitled Gather to the Light which highlighted the significant contributions of Indiana in agriculture, culture, sports and history, including the state’s role in the Underground Railroad. The celebration also recognized notable Hoosiers such as Abraham Lincoln and Ernie Pyle and the long-running Indianapolis 500. The event was held at the Michael Carroll Track & Field Stadium on the campus of Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis. Attendance was by invitation only, but media was invited to attend.
President Eyring said,“Let’s fill this stadium with joy, with love and with light.” He also offered encouragement about the youth’s potential during his remarks and said, “You’ll never forget the feeling of satisfaction as you discover that through effort and determination you can do more that you thought possible.” Alyssa Hightower, one of the 1,600 youth participants, commented, “I think it’s such an amazing opportunity to be with everyone to come together to celebrate the building of this temple.”[8]Weaver, Sarah Jane, “President Eyring Dedicates Temple in the Crossroads of America.” Church News, 11 Jan. 2024, www.thechurchnews.com/2015/8/24/23213292/president-eyring-dedicates-temple-in-the-crossroads-of-america.
Dedication
Cornerstone
Prior to the temple dedication, President Henry B. Eyring conducted the traditional cornerstone ceremony. John Jensen Chipman, Temple President, and his wife, Karen Russon Chipman, the temple matron, along with other members of the presidency, were invited to seal the cornerstone with mortar using a monogrammed trowel signifying completion of the temple. Several members of the Church, including children, were also invited to place mortar around the cornerstone. A choir comprising Latter-day Saints from within the temple district provided uplifting music near the temple. Another choir provided music inside the temple for all three dedicatory sessions. Elder Richards commented, “I think everyone appreciates how [the temple] complements everything that is already in Indianapolis. It’s really a gorgeous place and a lovely environment, and the temple fits right in.”
Dedication
The Indianapolis Indiana Temple was dedicated on Sunday, 23 August 2015 in three dedicatory sessions at 9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. The services were broadcast only within the temple district, and the three-hour block of meetings for those congregations were cancelled.
DEDICATION ORDER
148
| Date | 2015 08 23 |
| By | Henry B. Eyring |
| Role | 1st Counselor |
| Sessions | 3 |
| Attendees | # |
⮜Preceeded by Trujillo Peru
Followed by Tijuana Mexico⮞
Dedicatory Prayer
Construction Duration
| Span | Duration |
|---|---|
| Announced to Groundbreaking | 1 y, 11 m, 27 d |
| Groundbreaking to Dedication | 2 y, 10 m, 24 d |
| Announced to Dedication | 4 y, 10 m, 21 d |
Dedicatory Order
GLOBAL
148
REGION
N. AM.
99
COUNTRY
US
71
STATE
INDIANA
1
COUNTY
MARION
1
CITY
CARMEL
1
Summary
The Indianapolis Indiana Temple is the 148th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the world. It opened for ordinance work on Monday, 24 August 2015, by invitation, and Tuesday, 25 August 2015, for all patrons. The temple serves approximately 30,000 members of the Church in Indianapolis, South Bend, Lafayette, Muncie Fort Wayne, Bloomington and Champaign, Illinois.
The Indianapolis Indiana Temple was the first temple built in the state of Indiana.
Detail
Groundbreaking Scheduled
Announced
Dedication Scheduled
Under Construction
Presidents and Matrons
| Temple President | Temple Matron | Years Served |
|---|---|---|
| Patrick Edward Connolly | Lisa June Motes Connolly | 2024–2024 |
| Phil Ronald Ellis | Margaret McAllister Heard Ellis | 2021–2024 |
| William Garn Cowley | Gail Susan Allen Cowley | 2018–2021 |
| John Jensen Chipman | Karen Russon Chipman | 2015–2018 |
Details
Location
The Indianapolis Indiana Temple stands on the southwest corner of West 116th Street and Spring Mill Road in Carmel, Indiana—a picturesque suburb located on the north end of Indianapolis. The temple is easily accessible from U.S. 31, two miles north of its interchange with I-465. Sharing the temple site is a beautiful meetinghouse with an open courtyard.
Throughout the temple grounds, flowers, shrubbery and trees cause visitors to ponder the beauty of God’s creation. A domed fountain stands before the front doors, which are flanked by columns. Above the columns are the words “Holiness to the Lord, the House of the Lord,” reminding patrons of the sanctity of the building they are to enter. The temple grounds also include a Church meetinghouse.
Exterior
The design of the stately spire of the Indianapolis Indiana Temple draws inspiration from the historic memorials and monuments found in the heart of Indianapolis, such as the Indiana World War Memorial and the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument.
The temple is built of structural steel and concrete with Aero Cream Limestone cladding quarried in Myra, Turkey, and fabricated in Isparta, Turkey. The building’s architecture echoes some of the historically significant buildings in downtown Indianapolis.
The exterior art glass was designed by MHTN Architects of Salt Lake City, Utah, and was fabricated by Glass Images of Orem, Utah. Much of the glass came from Kokomo Opalescent Glass in Kokomo, Indiana. The principle design motif includes a Celtic knot pattern of intertwining ribbons interlaced with floral elements. The floral design incorporated in the motif is the blossom of the tulip poplar, the Indiana state tree. The colors of the art glass are various shades of blues and other warm tones.
The fountain was designed by MHTN Architects and features two varieties of granite — Giallo Antico, a darker caramel color quarried in Brazil, and a lighter golden white color, called G350, quarried in northern China. The fountain stone was installed by KEPCO PLUS of Salt Lake City, Utah.
The landscape architect was Ratio Architects of Indianapolis, Indiana. Featured are many varieties of plants, flowers and trees native to Indiana, including the tulip poplar.
The fence was designed by MHTN Architects and fabricated and installed by Capital City Ironworks of Indianapolis. It features the Celtic knot, and the gate medallion is the tulip poplar flower.
Interior
The primary color schemes are variations of blue with accents of gold and green. Interior wall color and coverings are similar to the warm tones of the limestone on the exterior of the temple. This limestone is also used in some interior features, such as the baptismal font and the stone pilasters.
Floors and wall base throughout the temple feature Perlatino, Sahara Beige and Artic Grey marble. Perlatino and Golden Garnet marble is used for the countertops. Blocks of stone were quarried in Italy, Pakistan and Iran and were installed by Bedrock Quartz of West Jordan, Utah.
The clear interior glass in the baptistry wall, railing and doors was designed by MHTN Architects and fabricated by Glass Images of Orem, Utah. The design motif features a Celtic knot pattern of intertwining ribbons interlaced with floral elements of the tulip poplar blossom.
Lighting for the temple was designed by MHTN Architects and fabricated and installed by HB Lighting of Bronx, New York. Materials used include bronze, gold-plated brass, carved crystal bands and Swarovski pendant crystals.
Cherry wood from the eastern United States with a natural finish is featured throughout the building. The carvings feature a circle within a square, the Celtic knot and the tulip poplar blossom. The millwork was fabricated and carved by Granite Mill & Fixture Co. of Salt Lake City, Utah. It was installed by Glen’s Custom Cabinetry, LLC of Riverton, Utah.
The bronze railing surrounding the font was designed by MHTN. It was fabricated and installed by Stewart Iron Works of Erlanger, Kentucky.
The 12 bronze oxen supporting the baptismal font were sculpted and installed by Stan Watts, Atlas Casting of Kearns, Utah.
The marble mosaic for the baptistry tile came from Iran and Pakistan and was installed by Bedrock Quartz of West Jordan, Utah.
The unique marble bas-relief panel that depicts the baptism of Jesus Christ was sculpted by Jacob E. Dobson Studios, LLC of Indianapolis. The sculpture was created with clay, molded in silicone rubber, and cast in white marble powder and resin.
The original oil painting wall mural, depicting landscape scenes of Indiana, was done by Michael Albrechtsen of Olathe, Kansas.
The cast bronze entry doors were designed by MHTN Architects. Their design incorporates the circle within a square, which is found in the original street and block platting of Indianapolis in 1821. The doors were manufactured by Ellison Door of Falconer, New York, and installed by MTH Industries of Hillside, Illinois.
The decorative paint on some ceilings and wall panels incorporates simple Celtic knot motifs in some rooms, while other rooms feature gold leafing and more complex designs with the tulip poplar blossom. The decorative paint was designed by MHTN Architects and installed by Dekko Design of Salt Lake City, Utah.
Contractors
Architect
[with additional version]
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Projects by Architect
Project Manager
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General Contractor
text
Other Contractor
contractor and position
Region
TEMPLES IN UNITED STATES by state
Total: 158
TEMPLES IN NORTH AMERICA by country
Total: 209
Sources and Citations
References
| ↑1 | Taylor, Scott (October 2, 2010), “President Thomas S. Monson opens conference by announcing 5 new temples”, Deseret News, retrieved November 11, 2012. |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | ”Carmel Technical Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes,” City of Carmel 16 Mar. 2011. |
| ↑3, ↑4 | ”Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals Regular Meeting,” City of Carmel 25 Apr. 2011. |
| ↑5 | Boren, Michael (September 29, 2012), “Mormons celebrate groundbreaking for new temple in Carmel”, The Indianapolis Star, retrieved November 11, 2012; Mormon Temple being built in Carmel, Indianapolis, Indiana: WISH-TV, archived from the original on November 2, 2012, retrieved November 11, 2012; Walker, Joseph (September 30, 2012), “Ground broken for LDS temple in Indiana”, Deseret News, retrieved November 11, 2012. |
| ↑6 | “Groundbreaking for Indiana’s First Mormon Temple,” Mormon Newsroom, Sept. 29, 2012, http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/groundbreaking-for-indiana’s-first-mormon-temple. |
| ↑7 | Weaver, Sarah Jane. “90,000 Tour New Indianapolis Temple.” Church News, 11 Jan. 2024, www.thechurchnews.com/2015/8/20/23213283/90-000-tour-new-indianapolis-temple. |
| ↑8 | Weaver, Sarah Jane, “President Eyring Dedicates Temple in the Crossroads of America.” Church News, 11 Jan. 2024, www.thechurchnews.com/2015/8/24/23213292/president-eyring-dedicates-temple-in-the-crossroads-of-america. |
Last updated on: 14 September 2025