Aba Nigeria Temple
Sacramento California Temple
Newport Beach California Temple
122nd dedicated temple in operation
© Daniel Craven . All rights reserved.
Address
2300 Bonita Canyon DrNewport Beach, California 92660-9118
United States
Telephone: (+1) 949-644-1820
Services
NO visitors' center open to the publicNO arrival center available
NO patron housing available
NO distribution center on site (Store Locator)
Announcement:
21 April 2001Groundbreaking and Site Dedication:
15 August 2003 by Duane B. GerrardPublic Open House:
23 July–20 August 2005Dedication:
28 August 2005 by Gordon B. HinckleySite:
8.8 acres | 3.6 hectaresExterior Finish:
Salisbury pink granite from North CarolinaArchitectural Features:
Single attached tower with an angel Moroni statueOrdinance Rooms:
Two instruction rooms (two-stage progressive), three sealing rooms, and one baptistryTotal Floor Area:
17,800 square feet | 1,654 square metersHeight:
90 feet | 27.4 metersElevation:
196 feet | 60 metersTemple History
The Newport Beach California Temple was the sixth temple built in California, the fourth built in Southern California, and the second built in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, following the Los Angeles California Temple (1956).
The Newport Beach California Temple was announced the same day as the Redlands California Temple and Sacramento California Temple on April 21, 2001.
The Newport Beach Planning Commission gave its approval for the Newport Beach California Temple on October 3, 2002, despite protests from the numerous residents in attendance. The Church worked closely with residents in a spirit of compromise, making changes in response to their concerns that included turning off flood lighting by 11:00 p.m., changing the color of the building from off-white to an earth-tone shade of seashell, and reducing the height of the spire from 124 feet to 100 feet.1
Early Rendering of the Newport Beach California Temple
On November 12, 2002, the Newport Beach City Council gave final approval for the temple upon agreement by the Church to make a second reduction in the height of the steeple from 100 feet to 90 feet. The 10-foot concession gained yards in public relations, as staunch opponents embraced the compromise, saying they were ready to move forward as a community.2
Ground was broken for the temple on Friday, August 15, 2003, in the presence of area authorities, local Church leaders, civic leaders, temple architects, and media representatives. Elder Duane B. Gerrard, first counselor in the North America West Area presidency, presided and dedicated the temple site.3
On January 13, 2005, a statue of the angel Moroni crowned the temple. During placement, a remarkable solar halo was visible, which surrounded the sun. Once Moroni was in place, the phenomenon dissipated.4
- Chantal Lamers, "100-foot-tall Mormon temple OKd," Orange County Register 10 Oct. 2002.
- Fermin Leal, "Council OKs shorter Mormon steeple," Orange County Register 13 Nov. 2002.
- Kathleen Lubeck Peterson, "Ground broken for Newport Beach Temple," Church News 23 Aug. 2003: 4.
- "Topping the Temple," Los Angeles Times 14 Jan. 2005: B3.
