Oakland California Temple

Oakland California Temple, dedicated 17 November 1964

The Oakland California Temple is the 13th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The building of the Oakland California Temple was announced on 26 May 1962. With its completion, the Oakland Temple was the second of seven temples in California.

The temple in Oakland had been long awaited. In 1924, George Albert Smith, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles saw a vision. In the vision a great white temple stood in the Oakland hills. Land for the temple was purchased as early as 1943, but construction did not start until 1962.

David O. McKay held a groundbreaking ceremony and site dedication on 26 May 1962. The site of the temple is 18.3 acres and is so prominent that ships entering San Francisco Bay use the temple as a navigational landmark.

The Oakland California Temple was open to the public for tours 5-31 October 1954. Those who attended the open house, toured the 95,000 square foot temple and were able to see the four ordinance rooms, seven sealing rooms, Celestial room, baptistery, and other facilities needed to accommodate ordinances according to Mormon beliefs. The temple was dedicated in multiple sessions held during 17-19 November 1964. President of the Church at the time, David O. McKay gave the dedicatory prayer.

The design of the temple is modern with five spires (the only temple with five spires) and Oriental influence, which is designed to reflect the large Asian population in Northern California. The exterior features decorative friezes including one of the Savior. There is a small creek lined with palm trees and bushes leading to the front of the temple from the front gate. In the front, just inside the temple walls, there are two staircases that lead to the roof of the lower part of the temple. This area provides visitors a good view of the temple grounds as well as the part of the San Francisco Bay. Between the temple and the front gate is a multi-stake center that is used for many activities. The Temple Hill orchestra and the Temple Hill dancers are two such groups. Opposite the multi-stake center is the Oakland temple Visitor's center. In the front lobby is a duplicate statue of the Christus, similar to the one in the visitors center of the Salt Lake temple. The visitors center has a section dedicated to family history. It is embodied by missionaries.

The Oakland Temple Pageant is one of many events that was performed at the multi-stake center on the temple grounds. The pageant includes hundreds of actors, dancers, singers, tech crew members, and a balcony choir which consist mostly of members living near the temple. For many years it was performed every 4 years until it was performed yearly beginning in 1998. In 2008 it was discontinued.

Oakland California Temple Updates

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced that the Oakland California Temple will close in February 2018 for extensive renovation. The temple is expected to be closed for a period of at least a year. Per Mormon Newsroom, as part of the renovation, the mechanical systems will be upgraded and the finish and furnishings will be refreshed.

Following the completion of the Oakland California Temple renovation in 2019, the temple will be rededicated. Public open house and rededication information will be provided as the renovations near completion.

The visitors' center will remain open throughout the renovation. According to the East Bay Times, "This means that while visitors can’t enjoy the sweeping view of the Bay Area from the temple terrace, they can still stroll the grounds, take a look inside the visitor’s center and attend the many public events held in the compound. These include performances by the Temple Hill Symphony Orchestra, the Temple Hill Choir, and the Temple Hill Dance Company. Many of these events are free and open to the public, taking place in the Temple Hill Auditorium."

This is at least the second closure in the more than 50 years the temple has existed. It closed for nearly two years in the late 1980s for renovation, reopening in October 1990.

Public Open House and Temple Dedication Dates Announced

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced that a public open house for the newly renovated Oakland California Temple will run from Saturday, 11 May 2019, through Saturday, 1 June 2019. There will not be an open house on 12, 19, and 26 May 2019. Free reservations for tours can be made through templeopenhouse.lds.org. The tours will be held between 9 am and 8 pm PDT daily at 4770 Lincoln Avenue, Oakland, California.

The Oakland California Temple will be formally rededicated on Sunday, 16 June 2019, in three sessions at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm. After the temple is formally dedicated, entrance is reserved for faithful members of the Church. Prior to the rededication of the temple, a youth devotional will be held on Saturday, 15 June 2019.

The Oakland California Temple is one of seven temples in the state with an eighth announced in Yuba City. There are currently 209 temples operating, announced or under construction throughout the world.