Neiafu Tonga Temple
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Photo: Henry Liutai
Scaffolding Around the Neiafu Tonga Temple Steeple
The handsome steeple of the Neiafu Tonga Temple is wrapped in scaffolding, giving crews access to the lofty structure. Moldings are being attached above and below the steeple housing while the exterior walls of the temple are being prepared for ornamental panels that will be featured under the eaves, around the windows, and over the arched entry. Hardscaping of the grounds continues.
Photo: Kuuipo Langi Fakatava
Installing Base Moldings Around the Neiafu Tonga Temple Spire
At the base of the Neiafu Tonga Temple spire, moldings are being lifted into place that will provide a visual transition from the steeple body to the spire. The exterior walls are being plastered and primed, and work continues on the roof. Plans to construct the temple were announced at the April 2019 general conference, and groundbreaking services were held three years ago in September 2021.
Photo: Kuuipo Langi Fakatava
Installing Hardscape Features on the Neiafu Tonga Temple Grounds
Hardscape features are being installed on the grounds of the Neiafu Tonga Temple. Concrete block is being used to create rectangular planters and retaining walls for the plazas that are under construction on the street side of the temple and between the temple and ancillary building. Neiafu is located beside the Port of Refuge, a deep harbor on the south coast of Vava'u. It is the administrative center of the Vava'u island group.
Photo: Ross Mackenzie
Construction of the Neiafu Tonga Temple Advancing
Numerous materials are staged around the Neiafu Tonga Temple site, as construction progresses inside and out. Groundbreaking services were held 33 months ago when Elder Inoke Kupu, Area Seventy, said: "Temples are houses of the Lord and to have one on this beautiful Island of Vava’u is a blessing sent of God and a reflection of the goodness and faithfulness of citizens and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who live here and in the surrounding area."
Photo: Tonga Nuku'alofa Mission
A Temple Rises for the Faithful Saints of Vava'u
The distinctive spire of the Neiafu Tonga Temple shines under the Pacific sun on the Tongan island of Vava'u. On August 19, 1895, assistant church historian, Andrew Jensen, sailed into the Vava'u archipelago and into the channel leading to the village of Neiafu, which had about 200 inhabitants at the time. The next month, on September 9, Jensen hiked Mount Talau with some others and dedicated the Vava’u archipelago for the preaching of the gospel. Today, there are 25 wards and 11 branches on the island group.
Photo: Nia Kioa
Plastering the Exterior Walls of the Neiafu Tonga Temple
The Neiafu Tonga Temple has become a distinguished landmark on the beautiful island of Vava'u. The copper-colored spire rises against a backdrop of cloudy azure skies, drawing the eyes heavenward. The exterior walls of the temple are being plastered, turning the rough surfaces of the concrete block smooth. Progress is being made on the roof and on the body of the steeple.
Photo: Ite Uasilaa
Spire Installed on Top of the Neiafu Tonga Temple
The lower segment of the Neiafu Tonga Temple spire has been set in place atop the steeple frame, and the panels housing the body of the steeple have been installed. The temple is rising on the Tongan island of Vava'u where Church members are organized into four stakes. A temple of similar design is also under construction in American Samoa.
Photo: Kuuipo Langi Fakatava
Building the Steeple Frame of the Neiafu Tonga Temple
A glorious sunrise over the islands of Vava'u colored the skies in golden hues last month, creating a magnificent backdrop for the rising steeple frame of the Neiafu Tonga Temple. Framing is in place for the pitched roofs that sit over the wings of the building, and an underlayment has been installed. It the second temple to be constructed in the Kingdom of Tonga—the first being the Nuku'alofa Tonga Temple (1983).
Photo: Ite Uasilaa
Building the Upper Walls of the Neiafu Tonga Temple
After building the main floor masonry walls of the Neiafu Tonga Temple, crews set blocks for the upper walls and began the work of framing and sheathing the roof. The steel frame for the steeple pedestal rises out of the center of the building. The steeple frame will stand on this base structure, featuring four windows and a metallic spire. The administrative wing of the building is visible through the entrance gate.
Photo: Tonga Nuku'alofa Mission
Framing the Steeple for the Neiafu Tonga Temple
Looking through the entrance to the Neiafu Tonga Temple construction site shows the southeast end of the southwest-facing building. At the center of the roof, steel framing for the steeple is rising amid columns of rebar that have been set for the upper walls and roof. Footings have been poured for the ancillary building that will stand northwest of the temple next to the Church-owned school.
Photo: Google
Structural Framing Progress for the Neiafu Tonga Temple
A recent satellite view of the Neiafu Tonga Temple site shows the commendable progress that has made on structural framing for the temple. The exterior walls and major interior walls are in place, while framing for the steeple is underway. Footings for the ancillary building have also been installed, which will stand immediately adjacent to the campus of Church-owned Saineha High School.
Photo: Tapaita Halakotone Tonga Fevanga
Building the Walls for the Neiafu Tonga Temple
Construction of the Neiafu Tonga Temple continues to progress just north of the entrance to Saineha High School. Once a firm foundation was established for the temple, work began on building the concrete columns and block walls. The groundbreaking ceremony for the temple was held 18 months ago, but construction began last year.
Photo: Travelling Nate N Joe
Structural Columns Installed for the Neiafu Tonga Temple
Load-bearing columns are rising at the Neiafu Tonga Temple site where work is underway on the superstructure of the building. Steel bars and concrete blocks will form the temple's reinforced walls that are designed to withstand high winds and movement of the earth. Tropical trees surround the temple property adjacent to Saineha High School.
Photo: Setaita Tupuivaha Metui
Construction Activity at the Neiafu Tonga Temple Site
Construction is ramping up at the Neiafu Tonga Temple site where a construction barrier has been erected, trailers set on site, and heavy equipment put to work. Tonga opened its borders a few weeks ago after being closed for than two years in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Only certain nationals were allowed to enter during that time. The temple in Neiafu will be the second in Tonga and the first on the island of Vava'u.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
King and Queen Attend the Groundbreaking for the Neiafu Tonga Temple
The King and Queen of Tonga, His Majesty ʻAhoʻeitu Tupou VI, and Her Majesty Nanasipau'u, were among the honored guests at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Neiafu Tonga Temple held on Saturday, September 11, 2021. Elder Inoke Kupu, Area Seventy, presided at the service. He said: "Temples are houses of the Lord and to have one on this beautiful Island of Vava’u is a blessing sent of God and a reflection of the goodness and faithfulness of citizens and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who live here and in the surrounding area." Members living in the northern islands of Tonga have traditionally attended the temple in Nuku'alofa about once a year, but having a temple in Neiafu will allow for more frequent attendance.
Photo: Kenneth Mays | Deseret News
Groundbreaking Announced for the Neiafu Tonga Temple
Elder ‘Inoke F. Kupu of the Quorum of the Seventy will preside at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Neiafu Tonga Temple on Saturday, September 11, 2021. The temple will be constructed next to Church-owned Saineha High School. The single-story building will be about 17,000 square feet and be the second constructed in the Kingdom of Tonga, joining the Nuku'alofa Tonga Temple.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Details Released for the Neiafu Tonga Temple
The official rendering has been released for the Neiafu Tonga Temple—the second temple to be constructed in the Tongan Islands. The 17,000-square-foot, single-level temple will be constructed on Tu’i Road on the site of Church-owned Saineha High School. Housing for the temple president and matron and for temple missionaries will be constructed on site in addition to a distribution center. No school buildings will be impacted by the project.