Washington D.C. Temple

Washington D.C. Temple is a house of worship in Kensington, Montgomery County, United States, a Latter-day Saint structure clad in white Alabama marble with six golden spires. The tallest feature reaches around 288 feet (88 m) and the building covers roughly 156,500 square feet (14,500 m²).

The dedication took place in 1974, making this the first Latter-day Saint temple built east of the Mississippi River since the Nauvoo structure in 1846. It took several years to develop the site and install the white Alabama marble cladding.

The name references the capital though the building itself sits in Kensington on a hill visible from miles around. Members come here for ceremonies that take place away from public view, while the visitor center remains open to everyone.

The site on 9900 Stoneybrook Drive is accessible by car with parking available on the grounds. The visitor center offers guided tours where you can learn about the history and architecture without entering the ceremonial areas.

The six golden spires carry symbolic meaning: three on the east represent the Melchizedek priesthood and three on the west stand for the Aaronic priesthood. Each year during the holidays, millions of lights draw visitors from across the region.

Location: Kensington

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Operator: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Address: 9900 Stoneybrook Dr, Kensington, MD 20895-3199

Website: https://churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/details/washington-d.c.-temple

GPS coordinates: 39.01410,-77.06560

Latest update: December 11, 2025 22:37