Washington D.C. Temple, Latter-day Saint temple in Kensington, Montgomery County, United States
Washington D.C. Temple is a Latter-day Saint temple in Kensington, Maryland, near the Capital Beltway. It is clad in white Alabama marble and topped by six gold-tipped spires modeled on the Salt Lake Temple, three on each side; the central eastern tower rises 288 feet (88 m) and carries an 18-foot gilded statue of the angel Moroni. The building covers 160,000 square feet (15,000 m²), making it the church's third-largest temple.
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.
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