ST. GEORGE — Two days after the 142-year-old St. George Temple closed for major renovations, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced where a second temple will be built in the city.

Church officials said Wednesday they acquired a 14-acre parcel of land near 3000 E. 1580 South in the southeastern portion of the city, in an area that is several blocks north of the St. George Regional Airport. The new temple will be about 5 miles southeast of the St. George Temple, meaning it will be a 10-to-15-minute drive between the two locations, according to Google Maps.

The church did not release renderings of what the temple will look like, as it is still developing a plan for the outside and interior of the building. A groundbreaking date is also yet to be set.

Latter-day Saint President Russell M. Nelson announced in Oct. 2018 that a second temple would be built in Washington County. It was one of 12 new temples announced at the time.

There are currently 17 temples in the state. With Washington County and five other proposed temples, Utah is poised to have 23 temples scattered across the state.

The new temple in Washington County will be the fourth in southern Utah. The St. George Temple was completed in 1877, the Monticello Temple opened in 1998, and the Cedar City Temple opened in 2017. However, the St. George Temple renovations are expected to keep that building closed until 2022.

×

Photos