Melbourne Australia Temple

Melbourne Australia Temple
Number	90
Dedication	16 June 2000 by Gordon B. Hinckley
Site	5.98 acres (2.4 hectares)
Floor area	10,700 sq ft (990 m^2)
Height	71 ft (22 m)
Preceded by	Adelaide Australia Temple
Followed by	Suva Fiji Temple
Official website • News & images
Additional information Announcement 30 October 1998 Groundbreaking 20 March 1999 by P. Bruce Mitchell Open House 2–10 June 2000 Designed by Warwick Tempany and Church A&E Services Location 76 Cathies Lane Wantirna South, Victoria Australia Exterior finish Snow white granite of Campolonghi, Italy Temple design Classic modern, single-spire design Ordinance rooms 2 with Movie, two-stage progressive sessions Sealing rooms 2 Clothing rental No Cafeteria No services Visitors' center No

Coordinates: 37°52′7.586400″S 145°12′45.43920″E / 37.86877400000°S 145.2126220000°E The Melbourne Australia Temple is the 90th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

On 30 October 1998 the LDS Church First Presidency announced that a temple would be built in Melbourne, Australia.^[1] The Melbourne Australia Temple is one of five temples in Australia. Previously, members from the area had traveled twelve hours one-way to visit the Sydney Australia Temple.

Missionary work was slow in Australia until the 1950s when the number of people joining the church suddenly exploded. In 1955 there were 3,000 members in Australia, five years later there were almost 10,000. By 1970 the number of members had more than tripled to 32,000. In 1980 it had jumped to 50,000. Today there are more than 100,000 members in Australia, making the LDS Church the fastest growing Christian church in the country.

On 20 March 1999 a groundbreaking ceremony and site dedication was held.^[2] The site for the temple is 5.98 acres (24,200 m²) and is also the site of a meetinghouse. The temple was open to the public for tours from 2–10 June 2000. Those who toured the 10,700-square-foot (990 m²) temple were able to see the craftsmanship, the Celestial room, two sealing rooms, two ordinance rooms, baptistery, and learn more about Mormon beliefs.

LDS Church president Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated the Melbourne Australia Temple on 16 June 2000.^[3] Four dedicatory services were held to accommodate all the members that wanted to attend. The temple serves 18,000 members in ten stakes from Victoria, Tasmania, and Southern New South Wales.

See also

• Comparison of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• List of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• List of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by geographic region
• Temple architecture (Latter-day Saints)
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Australia

Notes

1. "3 more temples announced, total now 98", Church News, 7 November 1998
2. Sanders, Lindsay J. (3 April 1999), "Ground is broken for Melbourne temple", Church News
3. "Melbourne Australia: 'A peculiar and wonderful sanctity'", Church News, 24 June 2000

References

• Kruckenberg, Janet (20 February 1999), "The announcements of new holy edifices bring joy and tears", Church News
• "Temple dates announced, postponed", Church News, 11 March 2000
• "Temple dedications planned", Church News, 8 April 2000
• "'Spiritual sanctuaries' for faithful Adelaide, Melbourne members", Church News, 24 June 2000
• "Facts and figures: Melbourne Australia Temple", Church News, 24 June 2000

External links

• Official Melbourne Australia Temple page
• Melbourne Australia Temple page