Helena Montana Temple
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Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Elder Stevenson Dedicates the Helena Montana Temple
"What a great blessing it is now for this great area of Montana to have access to a temple like this now," said Elder Gary E. Stevenson at the dedication of the Helena Montana Temple on Sunday, June 18, 2023. He continued, "It is part of the blessings that are coming to us as our dear Prophet is so focused on gathering Israel on both sides of the veil. This temple will bless the lives of many people." The temple is the 178th dedicated house of the Lord in operation worldwide.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Helena Montana Temple Media Day Held
Journalists were introduced to the recently completed Helena Montana Temple today during a kick-off event for the public open house. Information was provided on the modular construction methods used to create this House of the Lord—a first for Latter-day Saint temple construction. Invited guests will tour the building over the next two days, then anyone is then welcome to walk through the temple from Thursday, May 18, through Saturday, June 3, every day except Sunday.
Photo: Helena Montana Stake
All Hands on Deck at the Helena Montana Temple
With just five weeks remaining before guests arrive at the open house of the Helena Montana Temple, it was all hands on deck on Saturday to plant flowers and lay mulch in the flowerbeds that adorn the grounds. Tents had been previously used to protect the establishing shrubs and grasses that had been planted during colder temperatures. The public is invited to tour the temple from Thursday, May 18 through Saturday, June 3.
Photo: Lee Holmes
Establishing Greenery for the Helena Montana Temple Open House
Planters and flowerbeds around the Helena Montana Temple have been temporarily tented to create a greenhouse environment for the plants and flowers that need to be established before the open house begins in two-and-a-half months. Propane tanks that are fenced off in the parking lot are providing fuel for the heaters. It the second temple to be constructed in Montana. A third has been announced for Missoula.
Photo: Helena Montana Stake
Open House and Dedication Announced for the Helena Montana Temple
The First Presidency has announced the open house and dedication dates for the Helena Montana Temple. A media day will kick off the open house on Monday, May 15, followed by invited guests tours over the next two days. The general public is welcomed to tour the temple from Thursday, May 18, through Saturday, June 3, 2023. No tours will be held on Sundays, May 21 and 28. The temple will be dedicated in two sessions at 10:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 18, 2023. Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will preside.
Photo: Helena Montana Stake
Removal of Tarps Unveils the Helena Montana Temple Facade
The stone-clad facade of the Helena Montana Temple is now fully visible with the removal of the tarps and scaffolds that were used to trap heat while work progressed near the entrance. The handsome portico features a beautifully arched opening, flanked by sconces, that leads to the covered porch. Above the entrance doors is an ornate lunette that is softly illuminated by hanging light fixtures. Paver stones have been laid for the porch and entrance plaza, which features a circular flower bed at the center.
Photo: Helena Montana Stake
Brass Hand Rails Installed at the Helena Montana Temple
Even in freezing temperatures, the crews at the Helena Montana Temple find ways to keep construction moving forward. Plastic sheeting is draped over scaffolding to trap warm air where the work is progressing. Installers recently secured brass hand rails along the walkways, providing a stabilizing support for patrons walking to the entrance.
Photo: Helena Montana Stake
Cladding of the Helena Montana Temple Nearly Finished
Cladding of the Helena Montana Temple is down to the final pieces. A rectangular opening at the southwest corner is the location for the cornerstone. A time capsule will be placed in the cavity before the cornerstone is secured. It will be inscribed with the year that the temple is dedicated. Lamp posts have been installed in the parking areas and over walkways. Exterior flood lights have been mounted to poles that surround the temple.
Photo: Helena Montana Stake
Installing the Ornamental Fence for the Helena Montana Temple
A black ornamental fence is being installed between concrete fence posts around the grounds of the Helena Montana Temple. At the southwest corner, a concrete base for the monument sign stands ready for inscribed panels. Cladding continues on the steeple pedestal and the front entrance to the building. Temperatures have dropped significantly in Helena, which will slow down the landscaping efforts over the winter.
Photo: Helena Montana Stake
Cupola and Finial Added to the Helena Montana Temple
Cladding of the Helena Montana Temple steeple has been completed, and the cupola and finial assembly has been installed. Each wall of the steeple features an arched stained-glass window. Walkways are being poured around the temple in a full circle, and trees are being planted along Bobcat Drive. The parking lots have been paved and striped. The accompanying photograph shows the steeples of the temple (left) and meetinghouse (right) that stand side by side on the property.
Photo: Aaron Allen
Preparing to Clad the Helena Montana Temple Steeple
Eight levels of scaffolding surround the steeple frame of the Helena Montana Temple, giving stone installers a multi-level platform for cladding the walls in beautiful granite imported from Portugal. Stained glass has been inserted, the front entrance doors hung, and framing for the arched portico installed. Landscaping is making progress around the meetinghouse and maintenance building.
Photo: Helena Montana Stake
View of the Helena Montana Temple Stone Cladding
Construction observers have a much better view of the beautiful stone cladding on the exterior of the Helena Montana Temple with sections of the scaffolding now removed. Near the top of the wall, an ornamental frieze features a geometric pattern that coordinates with the patterns in the stained glass and the crossheads over the windows. Soft landscaping has begun on the grounds around the temple and the meetinghouse.
Photo: Helena Montana Stake
Installing Window Headers at the Helena Montana Temple
Ornamental headers are being installed over the stained-glass windows of the Helena Montana Temple. The patterned panels coordinate splendidly with the geometric design in the glass. Stone cladding of the main exterior walls is making progress while the steeple frame has yet to be sheathed or clad. Hardscaping of the grounds is moving forward with the installation of concrete curbing and walkways.
Photo: Helena Montana Stake
Cladding Progress on the Helena Montana Temple
A view of the southwest corner of the Helena Montana Temple shows the progress that has been made on cladding the exterior walls in stone. Pallets of stone pieces sit in the staging areas of the construction site ready for installation. The city of Helena began as a small mining town known as "Last Chance Gulch," but when official naming was on the table, miners from Minnesota prevailed in having it named after Saint Helena. Other suggestions included Pumpkinville and Squashtown.
Photo: Helena Montana Stake
Stained Glass Installed in the Helena Montana Temple
Several stained-glass windows have been installed in the Helena Montana Temple while stone cladding on the west end continues. The bold design of the glass, which is inspired by the buttercup plant and Native American beadwork, features strong geometric shapes and beautiful shades of blue, green, gold, and brown. Brickwork on the meetinghouse has been completed, and preparations are being made to begin landscaping the grounds.
Photo: Helena Montana Stake
Cladding the Helena Montana Temple in Stone
Stone cladding of the Helena Montana Temple has begun along the base of the west end while brickwork on the stake center is nearing completion. Concrete roof tiling on the stake center is also making progress, and windows have been installed. Windows on the south side will have a beautiful view of the temple across the way. Ground was broken on the project just 10 months ago, but fabrication of the interior modules started months earlier.
Photo: Helena Montana Stake
Exterior Progress on the Helena Montana Temple and Meetinghouse
Brick layers are carrying out beautiful work on the exterior of the new stake center being constructed next to the Helena Montana Temple. All six wards in the city are currently meeting in the 6th Avenue building until the stake center is complete. Framing and sheathing continues on the exterior of the temple. The groundbreaking event was held just nine and a half months ago.
Photo: Helena Montana Stake
Framing the Exterior Walls for the Helena Montana Temple
Following the installation of the steeple frame on top of the Helena Montana Temple, framing for the exterior walls has made significant progress. The steel studs run along the exterior surface of the modules, adding to the height of the building and creating recessed areas around the window groups. Construction observers are looking forward to the installation of ornamented wall panels that will decorate the exterior.
Photo: Helena Montana Stake
Framing the Helena Montana Temple Steeple
Over the course of just a few days, much of the framing for the upper walls and steeple of the Helena Montana Temple has been set in place. A gold pyramidal cupola with a delicate finial will eventually sit atop the steeple walls. The orange exterior of the prefabricated modules are being covered in a silver insulating layer. About half of the wood framing for the ancillary building has been completed.
Photo: Lee Holmes
Additional Framing and Insulation for the Helena Montana Temple
Activity has picked up on the exterior of the Helena Montana Temple where an additional layer of insulation is being attached to the surface of the modules, and construction of a steel frame for the upper structure has begun. Work also continues on a meetinghouse and ancillary building that will share the temple property. Construction is expected to move swiftly over the next few months.
Photo: Helena Montana Stake
Helena Montana Temple Featured in the News
The Helena Montana Temple was featured in a recent news segment presented by KPAX-TV. It was noted that the temple is the first to be built through modular construction methods. A handful of members are interviewed who expressed their excitement and even disbelief at the temple announcement. A House of the Lord for Western Montana has been on the minds of Latter-day Saints since the 1960s when a Church leader visited Helena and mentioned the possibility of a temple.
Constructing an Ancillary Building for the Helena Montana Temple
Foundation walls were poured this week for an ancillary building that will stand on the grounds of the Helena Montana Temple, providing an on-site space for storage and grounds equipment and other services. The temple modules have been stitched together, and steel for the steeple is being assembled on site. Windows have been installed in the new meetinghouse including the south entrance, which will offer a beautifully framed view of the temple.
Photo: Helena Montana Stake
A Beautiful Dawn at the Helena Montana Temple
It was a lovely morning at the Helena Montana Temple site this week as the first rays of sun illuminated the eastern and southern faces of the modular edifice that is being assembled. Over the past two weeks, many modules have been installed by crane and bolted together on the concrete foundation including the mechanical level that will support the central steeple. Once the modules have been fastened in place, utilities will be connected, exterior cladding will move forward, and final work will commence on the mostly completed interior.
Photo: Helena Montana Stake
Installing Modules for the Helena Montana Temple
The first few modules of the Helena Montana Temple were fastened to the foundation this week. Work began with installation of the baptistry floor and font, followed by a north-wing module. Modules are now being installed on the west end of the west-facing temple. Modular building dramatically accelerates construction time while maintaining the high standards and quality of a traditional build.
Photo: Lee Holmes
Major Deliveries in Transit for the Helena Montana Temple
A caravan of trucks carrying huge rectangular boxes were seen traveling the highway outside of Helena last week. These are the prefabricated modules that will be used to construct the Helena Montana Temple. The deliveries were taken to a staging site about eight miles from the temple property. From there, the modules will be transported in a predetermined order to the newly paved staging pad at the temple site.
Photo: Helena Montana Stake
Meetinghouse Frame Rising at the Helena Montana Temple Site
Most of the wood frame has been erected for the meetinghouse that will share the site of the Helena Montana Temple. The concrete temple foundation has been waterproofed, backfilled, and prepared for the installation of prefabricated modules that are under construction at a remote facility. Once the modules arrive, they will be installed and assembled on site, forming a beautiful House of the Lord.
Photo: Lee Holmes
Footings and Foundation in Place for the Helena Montana Temple
The concrete foundation for the Helena Montana Temple has been poured and cured, ready for the superstructure to begin. "And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall" (Helaman 5:12).
Photo: Helena Montana Stake
Forming and Pouring the Helena Montana Temple Foundation
Following the installation of the meetinghouse foundation at the Helena Montana Temple site, crews have begun forming and pouring the foundation for the temple. Plumbing is being roughed in for the meetinghouse, which is a replacement for the former stake center that occupied the property. Portions of the old driveways have been temporarily retained to help with staging at the construction site.
Photo: Helena Montana Stake
Meetinghouse Foundation Installed at the Helena Montana Temple Site
The foundation has been installed for the new meetinghouse that will stand next to the Helena Montana Temple. The temple and meetinghouse are being constructed on the site of the former stake center. Helena is the capital of Montana and a growing city of almost 35,000 people with numerous architectural gems including the Montana State Capitol, the Cathedral of St. Helena, the Helena Civic Center, and numerous Victorian mansions in the historic district.
Photo: Gayle Shirley
Clearing the Helena Montana Temple Site
Heavy machinery is clearing the site for the Helena Montana Temple. A water hose is used to moisten the soil and reduce dust levels around the construction site. The property was formerly occupied by a stake center and a grass field. The stake center was razed in early June ahead of the groundbreaking. Asphalt and vegetation are being removed before excavation gets underway for the foundations of the temple and new stake center.