Groundbreaking of the Willamette Valley Oregon Temple
Saints from the Eugene, Oregon, area expressed their excitement and appreciation for the announcement of the Willamette Valley Oregon Temple. “Each [congregation] in this Willamette Valley area has its own beloved history and memories of special people who helped build the kingdom,” one member said.
Even the children were excited — one 11-year-old Saint said, “I am looking forward to seeing the Willamette Valley temple be built and to go inside someday.”
Presiding at the groundbreaking ceremony on Oct. 29, 2022, was Elder Valeri V. Cordón, a General Authority Seventy and first counselor in the North America West Area presidency. In his dedicatory prayer, Elder Cordón said, “We acknowledge the first Saints who came to this valley to live peacefully in their humble circumstances. We are grateful for the faithful Saints who live in this area, for their sacrifice, devotion and obedience.”
Elder Cordón continued, “We pray that the temple will be a beacon of hope and peace that inspires this community to come unto Christ, even in its construction phase.”
Timeline of the Willamette Valley Oregon Temple
A temple for Eugene, Oregon, was announced April 4, 2021, by President Russell M. Nelson. Just over a year and a half later, a groundbreaking ceremony for the newly named Willamette Valley Oregon Temple was held Oct. 29, 2022. Elder Valeri V. Cordón presided over the ceremony.
Architecture and Design of the Willamette Valley Oregon Temple
A house of the Lord for Eugene, Oregon, is being built on a 10.5-acre site. The structure will be located at the intersection of International Boulevard and Corporate Way in Springfield — a suburb of Eugene in the Willamette Valley, where the temple gets its name.
According to building plans, the single-story structure’s area will total approximately 30,000 square feet. The exterior rendering shows a white, layered wall exterior with a large arch leading to the front doors. A single tower in the middle is topped with a four-tier spire.
Flowers and bushes line walkways near the front doors of this house of the Lord. Various trees are also found throughout the temple grounds.
Groundbreaking Photos of the Willamette Valley Oregon Temple
| The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
| The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
| The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
| The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
