Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple

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Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple
Number 94 edit data
Announcement 1998-10-14
Groundbreaking 1999-05-08 by
Monte J. Brough
Open House 1 July - 8 July 2000
Dedication 2000-07-16 by
Gordon B. Hinckley
Location 10339 Highland Road
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
United States
Phone number 225-769-1197
Site 6.3 acres (2.5 hectares)
Total floor area 10,700 sq ft (990 m²)
Exterior finish Imperial Danby White marble from Vermont
Temple design Classic modern, single-spire design
Ordinance rooms 2
Sealing rooms 2
Clothing rental No
Cafeteria No services
Visitors'  center No
Preceded by Veracruz México Temple
Followed by Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple
Official websiteNews & Images

The Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple is the 94th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The first Mormon missionaries arrived in Louisiana in 1841. A few joined the Church, and most left Louisiana to be with the rest of the body of the Church. New Orleans was the port of entry to the United States for most of the early British converts of the Church. Between 1840 and 1855 around 18,500 members crossed the ocean to the U.S. and 17,600 of them first arrived in New Orleans. Because of this most of the Church members in New Orleans were either emigrants who could not yet afford to go further or Church agents who helped the emigrants continue their journey. After 1855 when the last of the emigrants left New Orleans the Church no longer had a presence in the Louisiana. In 1895 Mormon missionaries were sent again to the state and today there are more than 24,000 members in Louisiana.

The First Presidency of the Mormon Church announced on October 14, 1998 that a temple would be built in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and a groundbreaking ceremony and site dedication were held on May 8, 1999. The temple site is 6.3 acres, which includes a meetinghouse.

The Mormon temple was open to the public for tours July 1st through the 8th 2000. The temple is 10,700 square feet, has two ordinance rooms, two sealing rooms, a baptismal font, Celestial room, and other facilities necessary to carry out its purpose. The temple exterior is made from Imperial Danby White marble quarried in Vermont, and the grounds are beautifully landscaped.

Church President Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated the temple for use on July 16, 2000. Four dedicatory services were held to accommodate the members who wanted to attend. Just before the first dedication service a cornerstone ceremony was held.

The Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple serves 24,000 Mormon Church members in the New Orleans, Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Denham Springs, and Monroe Louisiana Stakes, as well as members in Gulfport, Hattiesburg, and Jackson, Mississippi Stakes. These numbers may reflect pre-Katrina church levels. Church membership in the New Orleans to Gulport area has declined as a result of people moving out since Hurricane Katrina hit.

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