News Stories
Lighting the Exterior of the Antofagasta Chile Temple
As construction of the Antofagasta Chile Temple nears completion, floodlighting of the exterior is being fined tuned. The lighting accentuates the beautiful architectural details of this house of the Lord and denotes its holy purpose. Before healing the blind man described in the Gospel of John, Jesus said, "I must work the works of him that sent me.…As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world" (John 9:4–5).
Construction of the Antofagasta Chile Temple Nears Completion
Nearly 42 months ago, ground was broken for the Antofagasta Chile Temple that now stands as a beautiful landmark on the northern end of the city. On that occasion, Elder Juan Pablo Villar of the South America South Area presidency said in his dedicatory prayer, "I invite us all to…remove the rocks that weaken our foundation and prepare our spirits with firm foundations to support life's trials and to stand tall in the face of the adversity."
Construction Barrier Removed from the Antofagasta Chile Temple
The wood panel construction barrier that surrounded the Antofagasta Chile Temple site has been fully removed, revealing the grounds and the permanent ornamental fence that replaced it. The temple faces a striking boulevard with palm trees planted in the median. Palm trees were likewise planted on the verdant temple grounds. The project is in the final stages of construction.
First President and Matron Called of the Antofagasta Chile Temple
Claudio Antonio Manuel González Salamanca and Yolanda Patricia Torrejon Vergara de González have been called as the first president and matron of the Antofagasta Chile Temple. President González is a former stake president, high councilor, and bishop born in Santiago, Chile. Sister González is a former stake Primary president and ward Primary president born in El Tofo, Chile.
A Beautiful New Landmark in the City of Antofagasta, Chile
The crisp white walls of the Antofagasta Chile Temple stand in beautiful contrast to the surrounding mountains and colorful residences of "The Pearl of the North." A significant amount of landscaping has taken place on the grounds, including gathering plazas, tiered retaining walls, lamp posts, ornamental fencing, concrete stairs and curbing, benches, trees, and plants.
Monument Sign Installed for the Antofagasta Chile Temple
At the entrance to the Antofagasta Chile Temple site, a handsome monument sign has been installed in front of the ornamental fencing, identifying the names of the temple and the Church. Picket panels are being installed for the fence while landscaping of the grounds continues. The sign will be beautified with plantings of flowers and shrubs around the base in the coming weeks.
Steeple Dome Clad on the Antofagasta Chile Temple
Cladding has been attached to the dome of the Antofagasta Chile Temple steeple, bringing the exterior of the building closer to completion. There are two dedicated temples in Chile—the Santiago Chile Temple (1983) and the Concepción Chile Temple (2018). Antofagasta's temple will be the country's third, and plans have been announced for two additional temples—the Santiago West Chile Temple and the Viña del Mar Chile Temple.
Cladding the Steeple of the Antofagasta Chile Temple
Little work remains to complete the exterior of the Antofagasta Chile Temple. Cladding of the steeple has made significant progress, and the stained-glass windows have been installed. Landscaping of the grounds is in full swing, featuring beautiful plazas, palm trees, and plants. Antofagasta is a major copper producer with over 50 percent of the country's copper coming from the region.
Antofagasta Chile Temple Stained-Glass Windows
Beautiful stained glass has been installed in the window openings of the Antofagasta Chile Temple, as seen in this view of the rear (south) wall. Windows have even been installed in the steeple, which has not yet been clad. Gathering plazas with oval flowerbeds are under construction on the east and west sides of the temple, while grass sod and numerous plantings are beginning to appear.
Planting Palm Trees on the Antofagasta Chile Temple Grounds
Beautiful palm trees have been planted on the grounds of the Antofagasta Chile Temple where landscaping is getting underway. Work has commenced on installing the parking lots and garden spaces. Reinforcement of the temple tower continues in preparation for stone cladding. Finish work on the interior is advancing at various stages of completion.
Cupola Frame in Place Atop the Antofagasta Chile Temple
A frame for the domed cupola has been secured to the top of steeple of the Antofagasta Chile Temple. Construction of the two-story building is well advanced on both the interior and exterior, but minimal landscaping has taken place. The city of Antofagasta has an average rainfall of just one millimeter per year. It is located in the Atacama Desert, the driest desert in the world.
Cladding the Upper Structures of the Antofagasta Chile Temple
Stone cladding has been completed on the rear side of the Antofagasta Chile Temple, and preparations are underway to clad the upper structures. The steeple frame is being reinforced while a moisture barrier is being attached to the walls of the raised section on the roof. Work is also progressing on the interior and on an ancillary building located at the west end of the property.
Stone Cladding Progress on the Antofagasta Chile Temple
Stone cladding is moving up the east side of the Antofagasta Chile Temple with work already been completed on the north and west sides. Scaffolds are being erected next to the steeple frame, which has yet to be sheathed, damp proofed, and clad. The temple bears some similarities to the oldest temple of the Church in continuous operation—the St. George Utah Temple. It has recently been fully renovated.
Inscription Stones Added to the Antofagasta Chile Temple
On the facade of the Antofagasta Chile Temple, the inscribed stone panels have been installed that proclaim Holiness to the Lord—The House of the Lord. The entire north face of the temple has been clad below the steeple in a beautiful light stone. The Saints of Chile are eagerly looking forward to a temple to serve the northern region of the country.
Steeple Frame Installed on the Antofagasta Chile Temple
The Antofagasta Chile Temple just grew a little taller with the addition of a new rooftop structure. The steeple frame was secured over the north end of the building where the main entrance is located. Crews continue to attach a moisture barrier to the concrete walls, and stone cladding is being hung on the temple's facade. Window frames and glass have been installed to enclose the building.
Cladding the Exterior of the Antofagasta Chile Temple
Stone panels are moving up the north face of the Antofagasta Chile Temple, which was recently wrapped in a dark moisture barrier. Windows are being cased in stone trim with handsome keystones. The temple in Antofagasta, located approximately 700 miles (1,100 kilometers) north of Santiago, will bring the blessings of the temple much closer to the Saints of Northern Chile.
Antofagasta Chile Temple Moisture Barrier and Windows
On the sunny coast of Northern Chile, construction advances on the Antofagasta Chile Temple and ancillary building. The concrete frames for the buildings have been completed, and work has begun on attaching a moisture barrier to the building exteriors. On the west side of the temple, window frames and clear glass are being installed in the arched window openings. Watch a video presentation.
Antofagasta Chile Temple Construction Worker Baptized
Construction crews have been positively affected by the work of building the Antofagasta Chile Temple. One worker was baptized on Saturday, November 12, and warmly welcomed into his ward family. On the north end of the temple, base walls have been poured for the steeple. A rectangular indentation beneath the steeple is where the Holiness to the Lord plaque will be installed.
Top Floor Added to the Antofagasta Chile Temple Accommodation Center
A beautiful aerial view of the Antofagasta Chile Temple looks west toward the crashing waves of the nearby ocean. The palm trees that decorate Avenida de Las Palmeras sit to the north. Construction is advancing on both buildings at the complex with the structural walls now completed for the top floor of the two-story accommodation center.
Temporary Bridge in Use at the Antofagasta Chile Temple
With the foundation of the Antofagasta Chile Temple not yet been backfilled, a temporary bridge is being used on the east side to provide access to the main floor of the temple interior. At the top of the building, forms for the parapet have been removed, and scaffolding has been erected from the roof to a second-floor window. Wall forms are going up for the second level of the ancillary building.
Walls Poured for Antofagasta Chile Temple Mechanical Level
The walls for the mechanical level of the Antofagasta Chile Temple are rising above the building's second floor roof while rebar has been set for the parapet. West of the temple, the ground floor walls for the ancillary building are making progress. Visitors are welcomed at the construction site where they may ask questions and watch construction through the windows of the observation room.
Building the Second Level Walls for the Antofagasta Chile Temple
The exterior walls of the Antofagasta Chile Temple have reached the second level. The west wall has been poured and cured with regularly spaced window openings, and forms have been set for the east wall. Rebar is rising over the temple entrance where the steeple will be located. The basement walls for the ancillary building are in place, and crews are installing the floor at the ground level.
Second Level Floor Slab Poured for the Antofagasta Chile Temple
The concrete floor slab has been poured and cured for the second level of the Antofagasta Chile Temple while forms have been set for the basement walls of the ancillary building. Rows of steel bar are neatly stacked in the area between the temple and ancillary building for use in reinforcing the walls and floors. Watch a recent video that gives an overhead view of the temple site, starting over the crashing ocean waves.
Aerial Footage of the Antofagasta Chile Temple Site
Watch a recently posted video providing aerial footage of the rising Antofagasta Chile Temple and housing facility. The concrete structural walls are largely in place for the main floor of the temple, and footings are being poured for the housing facility. Antofagasta is a long and narrow city, sandwiched between the beautiful ocean and mountains. The temple is being constructed on the north side of the city near an oceanside park named Jardines del Norte.
Setting Rebar for the Structural Walls of the Antofagasta Chile Temple
The beautiful rocky shores of Chile's northern coast are just steps away from the site of the rising Antofagasta Chile Temple and accommodation center. The temple foundation is complete, and the concrete slab for the main floor has been poured. Reinforcing steel bar is being set for the structural walls of both buildings. The temple is the third to be constructed in the nation of Chile, and a fourth has been announced for western Santiago.
Pouring the Foundation Walls for the Antofagasta Chile Temple
The first concrete walls for the foundation of the Antofagasta Chile Temple have been poured and cured. Forming continues for the rest of the foundation. Tower cranes stand at each end of the property, one next to the temple and the other next to the housing facility. Before construction of the temple could begin, several existing structures were demolished, and the site was cleared.
A Drone View of the Antofagasta Chile Temple Site
An overhead view of the Antofagasta Chile Temple site shows the progress being made on the foundations for the temple and its accompanying buildings and the pair of tower cranes that will be instrumental in their construction. The property is located on Las Palmeras, a beautiful boulevard-style street that features palm trees and street lamps in a grassy median. The coastal city of Antofagasta is home to approximately 400,000 residents.
Construction Advancements on the Antofagasta Chile Temple
Excavation has been completed for the Antofagasta Chile Temple, and concrete forms are on site, ready to be installed for the foundation walls. Excavation continues for the accommodation center with trucks removing large quantities of dirt and rocks.
Antofagasta Chile Temple Site Prepared for Excavation
Excavation lines have been drawn for the Antofagasta Chile Temple ahead of the arrival of heavy machinery to carry out the excavations. In addition to a temple, other supporting buildings will be constructed on site including an accommodation center. The temple will rise just east of the coastline and be the third constructed in Chile. A fourth was recently announced for the capital city of Santiago, which will be the city's second temple.
Construction to Begin on the Antofagasta Chile Temple
Construction trailers have arrived at the Antofagasta Chile Temple site, as the general contractor prepares for large-scale construction. The groundbreaking event for the temple was held ten months ago in November 2020, and members have been looking forward to the beginning of construction with great anticipation. Structures that formerly occupied the site have already been demolished.