A rendering of the Davao Philippines Temple.The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Davao Philippines Temple site in relation to nearby countries.Screenshot from Google Maps
The Davao Philippines Temple site in relation to other parts of the Philippines.Screenshot from Google Maps
Groundbreaking of the Davao Philippines Temple
Construction began on the Davao Philippines Temple after a groundbreaking ceremony was held in Davao City on Nov. 14, 2020. COVID-19 restrictions limited the event to invitation only. Presiding over the ceremony in the shadow of Mount Apo, the country’s tallest peak, was Elder Taniela B. Wakolo, president of the Philippines Area.
In the dedicatory prayer offered over the site, Elder Wakolo declared, “We pray that this temple, even while being constructed, will bless the lives of all who live in the vicinity and those who pass by, by increasing their hope and peace through Christ.”
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Davao Philippines Temple was held Nov. 14, 2020, with Elder Taniela B. Wakolo, president of the Philippines Area, presiding. Due to pandemic restrictions and precautions, the groundbreaking was limited to a handful of individuals, with part of the event held on the temple site and part at an adjacent meetinghouse.
The Davao Philippines Temple was announced by Church President Russell M. Nelson on Oct. 7, 2018. The groundbreaking ceremony and dedication over the temple site were held on Nov. 14, 2020. Presiding over the event was Elder Taniela B. Wakolo, president of the Philippines Area.
Architecture and Design of the Davao Philippines Temple
The house of the Lord in Davao City will be a two-story, 18,450-square-foot edifice under a two-story steeple with eight arched windows. The temple will stand on a 2.7-acre site at Ma-a Road and Anahaw Road. A new meetinghouse, replacing the existing meetinghouse on site, will be constructed, along with patron and temple presidency housing.
Groundbreaking Photos of the Davao Philippines Temple
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Local Church leaders in Davao, Philippines, participate in the groundbreaking of the Davao Philippines Temple on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. Attendance at the event was limited because of existing COVID-19 social guidelines. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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A small group of Latter-day Saints in Davao, Philippines, participates in the groundbreaking of the Davao Philippines Temple on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Local Church leaders in Davao, Philippines, participate in the groundbreaking of the Davao Philippines Temple on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. Attendance at the event was limited because of existing COVID-19 social guidelines. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, a limited number of guests attended the Davao Philippines Temple groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Elder Taniela B. Wakolo, Philippines Area president, speaks at the groundbreaking of the Davao Philippines Temple on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, a limited number of guests attended the Davao Philippines Temple groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Elder Steven R. Bangerter of the Philippines Area presidency speaks at the groundbreaking of the Davao Philippines Temple on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Elder Steven R. Bangerter of the Philippines Area presidency participates at the groundbreaking of the Davao Philippines Temple on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Additional Facts
Fact #1
This was the sixth temple announced in the Philippines and the second for the island of Mindanao.
The first two Latter-day Saint temples announced for the island of Mindanao — the Cagayan de Oro Philippines and the Davao Philippines temples — were both announced in 2018.
Fact #4
At the time of the Davao temple’s groundbreaking, the Philippines had around 805,000 Latter-day Saints in 115 stakes and 1,239 congregations.
Fact #5
The first stake in the Philippines was created in 1973, 45 years before the Davao temple was announced.
Fact #6
Once dedicated, it will be the southernmost temple in the Philippines.
The first two Latter-day Saint temples announced for the island of Mindanao — the Cagayan de Oro Philippines and the Davao Philippines temples — were both announced in 2018.
Fact #4
At the time of the Davao temple’s groundbreaking, the Philippines had around 805,000 Latter-day Saints in 115 stakes and 1,239 congregations.
Fact #5
The first stake in the Philippines was created in 1973, 45 years before the Davao temple was announced.
Fact #6
Once dedicated, it will be the southernmost temple in the Philippines.
