News Stories
Photo: Cassandra Briscoe
Modesto California Temple Designed with Scores of Arches
From the windows and doorways to the steeple and parapets, arches are found throughout the Modesto California Temple. A famous arch has stood in Modesto for over a century at the intersection of 9th and I Streets. Known as the Modesto Arch, the landmark bears the city's motto: Water, Wealth, Contentment, Health. It is illuminated by 696 incandescent light bulbs. The temple has been under construction for just over a year.
Photo: Jeff Vail
Granite Cladding Arriving at the Modesto California Temple Site
Deliveries of granite cladding are arriving at the Modesto California Temple site, and the crates are being staged on site for future installation. Sheathing of the exterior walls is progressing with bright green gypsum boards, while concrete curbing for the parking areas is being installed. The steel frames for the steeple are staged next to the temple, and framing for the architectural features of the building is underway.
Photo: Jeff Vail
Framing the Roof and Steeple of the Modesto California Temple
At the Modesto California Temple, a pair of rectangular frames has been staged on site for the steeple, which is being prepared for installation. Heavy steel framing for the base of the structure is rising from the center of the building. Framing for the pitched roof is also underway on the south end. Plans to construct the temple were announced at the April 2022 general conference, and the groundbreaking ceremony was held a year and a half later in October 2023.
Photo: Sandrajeanne Bushell
Forming the Parapet Walls of the Modesto California Temple
Concrete wall forms are being installed for the curvilinear parapets that will be featured on each side of the Modesto California Temple. Parapets will adorn both the outer walls and the raised center section, which will support the beautiful windowed steeple. The city of Modesto (meaning "modest" in English) was named for the modesty of banker William C. Ralston, who turned down the suggestion that the city be named after him.
Photo: Cassandra Briscoe
Preparing for the Modesto California Temple Steeple
Forming continues for the structural walls of the Modesto California Temple, including the structure that will support the central steeple. The steeple frame has been staged on site and is awaiting installation. One other temple is under construction in California in the community of Yorba Linda. The San Diego California Temple is also undergoing renovations. Two additional temples have been announced for San Jose and Bakersfield.
Photo: R.C. Hague
Walls Rising for the Modesto California Temple
Members of the Modesto California North Stake attended stake conference this past weekend at the meetinghouse next to the Modesto California Temple site. The rising exterior walls of the temple are a joyful sight for members who currently belong to the Oakland California Temple district. Visitors to the construction site are welcomed to stop by the visitors' trailer on weekdays or on weekends and evenings by appointment.
Photo: Dawn Annette Jorgensen
Forming the Structural Walls for the Modesto California Temple
Wall forms are rising over the concrete footings and foundation for the Modesto California Temple. The insulated concrete form (ICF) blocks are the same product used for the Yorba Linda California Temple. They stay in place after the concrete is poured, acting as an insulator and moisture barrier. The temple is the second to be constructed in California's San Joaquin Valley after the Fresno California Temple. A third temple is slated for construction in Bakersfield.
Photo: Google
Satellite View of the Modesto California Temple
A recent satellite view of the Modesto California Temple site shows the progress being made on forming and pouring the footings for the foundation. The concrete walls for the partial basement and baptismal font are also visible. The temple is rising in northwest Modesto behind the Almond Grove Ward meetinghouse, where the offices for the Modesto California North Stake are located.
Photo: Grant W Davis
Building the Foundation Walls of the Modesto California Temple
At the northern end of the San Joaquin Valley, work is progressing on installing the footings and foundations for the Modesto California Temple. Construction observers have a nice view of the construction activity from the east parking lot of the adjacent meetinghouse. Two baseball fields were cleared to make way for the temple, which will become the tenth house of the Lord in the state of California.
Photo: Modesto California Temple Facebook page
Pouring Footings for the Modesto California Temple Foundation
During the two months since the groundbreaking was held for the Modesto California Temple, heavy equipment has been hard at work preparing the site and excavating for the temple foundation. The sloping sides of the excavation have been covered, and footings are being formed and poured. Concrete mixer trucks and pump trucks work in tandem to transport wet concrete to the awaiting forms for curing.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Groundbreaking Held for the Modesto California Temple
Elder Gary B. Sabin, first counselor in the North America West Area presidency, presided at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Modesto California Temple on Saturday, October 7, 2023. "We are reminded that temples bring us closer to Christ, and when we come closer to Christ, we are more joyful," he said. In his site dedicatory prayer, he prayed that this house of the Lord "will stand as a beacon of light and hope and a witness of the reality and divinity of Thy Beloved Son and of the eternal nature of the soul and the divine potential of thy children."
Photo: Google
Modesto California Temple Groundbreaking Date Announced
The groundbreaking service for the Modesto California Temple will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2023. Elder Gary B. Sabin, General Authority Seventy and First Counselor in the North America West Area Presidency, will offer the site dedicatory prayer. The 30,000-square-foot temple will be constructed on a 17.63-acre parcel adjacent to an existing meetinghouse on Dale Road.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Artist's Rendering Revealed for the Modesto California Temple
An artist's rendering for the Modesto California Temple has been revealed. The temple will be built on a 17.63-acre site adjacent to the meetinghouse at 4300 Dale Road. Plans call for a single-story temple of approximately 30,000 square feet. There are seven dedicated temples in California and two under construction: the Feather River California Temple and the Yorba Linda California Temple.
Photo: Google
Location of the Modesto California Temple Revealed
A 17.63-acre site adjacent to the meetinghouse at 4300 Dale Road will be the location of the new Modesto California Temple. Plans call for a single-story temple of approximately 30,000 square feet. Detailed design plans are still under development. An official exterior rendering and groundbreaking date will be released to the public later. Modesto is located in the Central Valley, approximately 90 miles north of Fresno.