| Oakland California Temple | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Number | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dedication | 19 November 1964 by David O. McKay |
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| Site | 18.3 acres (7.4 hectares) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Floor area | 95,000 sq ft (8,800 m2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 170 ft (52 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | London England Temple | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Followed by | Ogden Utah Temple | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Official website • News & Images | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Oakland California Temple (formerly the Oakland Temple) is the 15th constructed and 13th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The LDS temple in Oakland, California was announced on May 26, 1962, and dedicated on November 19, 1964 by David O. McKay.
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Located in the city of Oakland, California at 4770 Lincoln Ave, it is the only temple built with a modern five-spire design and exhibits an Oriental motif. Its architect was Harold W. Burton.[1] The exterior of the temple is reinforced concrete faced with sierra white granite from Raymond, California. On the north and south faces of the temple are two decorative friezes, and is the last temple to have such. The back (south side) is a depiction of Christ descending from heaven to the people of the American continent soon after his resurrection in the Holy Land. The front (north side) illustrates Christ preaching His gospel to the people. Within the front garden courtyard there is a statue of children in front of a bronze plaque bearing a scripture from 3 Nephi 17, from the Book of Mormon, telling how Christ blessed the children during his visit to the people of ancient America.
The temple sits on a prominent site in the Oakland hills and has become a local landmark. Through the front courtyard are stairways which lead to the temple terrace situated above the ground floor of the temple. From the temple grounds and terrace are spectacular views of the Bay Area, including downtown Oakland, the Bay Bridge, Yerba Buena Island, downtown San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge. The Grounds are accented by flowers, palm trees, and a formal-style man-made river running from one fountain to the other.
The temple was built on an 18.3-acre (74,000 m2) plot, has 4 ordinance rooms, 7 sealing rooms, and has a total floor area of 95,000 square feet (8,800 m2).[2]
The Visitor Center has free tours around the grounds and atop the temple daily.
The building of the Oakland Temple, as well as other temples in California was planned as early as 1847. The Mormons who had traveled by ship around Cape Horn to California were told by Brigham Young that "...in the process of time, the shores of the Pacific may yet be overlooked from the Temple of the Lord."[3]
The site where the Oakland Temple now stands was inspected by David O. McKay, then second counselor in the First Presidency in 1942. The 14.5 acres (59,000 m2) were purchased by the Church on January 28, 1943.[4] Ground was broken for the temple in 1962.
The first president of the Oakland Temple was Delbert F. Wright. The current president of the temple is Richard A. Hunter, one of the sons of Howard W. Hunter.[5]
In the nearby Interstake Center, local members performed a Latter-day Saint Pageant (an annual theatrical production) for many years. The pageant, commonly known as the "Temple Pageant," was a musical stage production rehearsing the history and legacy of the LDS Church. It was one of only a few "temple pageants" around the country; others include the Easter Pageant in Mesa, Arizona and the Mormon Miracle Pageant in Manti, Utah. Until its retirement it was the only such pageant performed indoors as well as the only one to be fully accompanied by a live orchestra. Initially, the pageant consisted of three acts performed over three consecutive nights, however, it was eventually shortened to an hour and a half.[6][7][8] In November 2007 the pageant was officially retired in a letter to regional stake and mission presidents by Elder D. Todd Christofferson, at the time one of the Presidents of the Seventy.
The temple is not the oldest building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the site. The Inter-stake center dates to the 1950s. This building was originally referred to as the tri-stake center, serving the needs of the San Francisco, Oakland and Berkeley stakes.[9] This building includes two chapels for sacrament meetings, an auditorium, a gymnasium and several classrooms and offices.
The auditorium seats 1,600 people and has a 60-foot (18 m) stage. Besides the three resident organizations and the Temple Pageant, many Brigham Young University performing arts groups have appeared on this stage.[10]
The site also has a visitors center that was opened in 1992. There is also a Family History Center, an LDS Employment Center, an LDS Distribution Center and the headquarters of the California Oakland-San Francisco Mission.[9]
The Temple Hill Symphony Orchestra was formed in 1985. It has 52-members, about a third of whom are not Latter-day Saints. It has other sponsors besides the LDS Church. It is a non-profit organization that offers free concerts. It is currently directed by John Pew.[11]
There is also a Temple Hill Public Affairs Council which seeks to use the resources on the location to raise awareness of the Church and its mission. As of 2007 it was directed by Lorenzo Hoopes.[9]
There is also a Temple Hill Choir.
Another organization based at Temple Hill is Behold Dance Collective - The Temple Hill Dance Company.[12]
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