Announcement of the Tacoma Washington Temple
President Russell M. Nelson, 17th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, announced the Tacoma Washington Temple on Oct. 2, 2022, during the Sunday afternoon session of October 2022 general conference. A house of the Lord for this port city was one of 18 announced worldwide by the Church — and the fifth for this northwestern coastal state.
When the family of Monica Chamberlain of the Maple Valley Washington Stake heard the announcement of a house of the Lord for Tacoma, they threw their arms in the air and cheered.
“This is exciting for every Church member in Washington,” Chamberlain said soon after watching the Sunday afternoon session of October 2022 general conference.
Sitting in the Conference Center was Alex McCain of Bothell, Washington. He said he was excited for people who live south of Seattle to be able to avoid the traffic congestion to get to a house of the Lord. “It makes going to the temple a whole lot easier,” McCain said. “More temples, more blessings.”
George Slaughter, of Layton, Utah, recalled growing up in Tacoma. “I remember attending the open house and dedication of the Seattle temple as a kid,” he wrote soon after the temple announcements. “Never did I imagine there would be a temple in Tacoma. I was so surprised by the news I actually teared up a bit. So exciting!”
For Matt Fry of Garland, Utah, there was just excitement. The native of Bremerton, about 25 miles from Tacoma, said: “It will cut the drive by almost an hour for all of my family and friends where I grew up. They are all so very excited. Many were brought to tears. It will be a great blessing for that area and for its surrounding members.”
Timeline of the Tacoma Washington Temple
The Tacoma Washington Temple was announced by Church President Russell M. Nelson on Oct. 2, 2022. Details about the temple’s groundbreaking have not yet been released.
Architecture and Design of the Tacoma Washington Temple
According to site plans released by the Church on Sept. 16, 2024, the Tacoma Washington Temple will be a multistory structure of approximately 45,000 square feet. The edifice will stand on an 11.6-acre site at 1405 S. 364th Way, Federal Way, Washington. An accompanying utility building is planned for the site as well.