Johannesburg South Africa Temple, Mormon temple in Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Johannesburg South Africa Temple is a six-spire building on Parktown Ridge, its tallest spire reaching 112 feet (34 m) and topped by a gilded angel Moroni statue. Church architects worked with Hartford & Hartford on the design, which uses brick cladding, a slate roof, and native quartzite in the perimeter walls and entrance arches. The 19,184-square-foot interior holds four ordinance rooms, three sealing rooms, and a baptistry.
Church president Spencer W. Kimball announced the temple on April 1, 1981, and apostle Marvin J. Ashton led the groundbreaking at 7 Jubilee Road, Parktown, on November 27, 1982. Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated it on August 24–25, 1985, in four sessions before about 3,480 members. It was the first Latter-day Saint temple in Africa, and remained South Africa's only one until Durban was dedicated in 2020.
The name on the facade and in church records is Johannesburg South Africa Temple, the church's 36th operating temple. It is not used for Sunday services; after dedication only members holding a current temple recommend may enter, and a president and matron oversee operations, Howard N. Kingsley and Jennifer Kingsley as of 2024. A stone from the Nauvoo Temple was set into the gate.
The temple stands on a ridge in a quiet residential area, making it visible from many locations across the city. Visitors should be aware this is a sacred space with specific guidelines about who may enter different areas.
The building sits on Parktown Ridge near grand Victorian mansions, creating an interesting contrast between different architectural styles from different eras. This location places the temple within a neighborhood known for its architectural heritage.
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