Columbia South Carolina Temple

The Columbia South Carolina Temple is the 62nd operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Over one hundred sixty years ago, Emmanuel Masters Murphy was the only member in South Carolina, but through his efforts others were converted to Church of Jesus Christ. Murphy even visited Joseph Smith during the Prophet's incarceration in Carthage Jail.

Because of the Civil War, the migration of the Saints to Utah, and persecution within the state itself, the Church of Jesus Christ in South Carolina saw little growth until 1917, when the first branch (small congregation) was organized with 40 members. The next 80 years saw enormous growth, and in 1999 there were 26,000 members in South Carolina. In 2022, there were over 42,000.

One member, Gwen Slay Llewllyn, remembers when the Church was smaller, before permanent buildings were built. She said, “I was 13 when the stake was organized. My relatives and I would have to clean tobacco out of rented buildings before services could be held.” [1] Now the Church not only has over 75 congregations in South Carolina but a temple as well.

At the groundbreaking of the Columbia South Carolina Temple held on December 5, 1998, Elder Gordon T. Watts of the Seventy said, “As the contractors and building people prepare and begin construction, let us also begin a program of personal construction that we will be as exemplary as this beautiful temple when it is completed. If changes are required in your life to gain entrance into the temple, let us begin now.” [2]

Before the South Carolina temple was dedicated about 20,000 people walked through it during an open house. President Gordon B. Hinckley presided and gave the dedicatory prayers 15-16 October 1999.

The new temple is located in Columbia, South Carolina, because it is the capital and a central location within the state. The building is set in a residential neighborhood and surrounded by native loblolly pine and oak. The grounds are landscaped with the area's natural flora including myrtle, holly, mums, and dogwood trees. The exterior of the temple is gray granite and features art glass windows. The temple is graced by a traditional single spire topped by a gold-plated angel Moroni. The Columbia South Carolina Temple has a total of 10,700 square feet, two ordinance rooms, and two sealing rooms.