Salta Argentina Temple
Latest News
Recent News Articles
- July 19, 2024 – Video: Elder Christofferson on ‘Renewed Acquaintances’ and Seeing Miracles as He Returned to Argentina
- June 16, 2024 – Elder Christofferson Dedicates Salta Argentina Temple
- June 16, 2024 – ‘Salta the beautiful’: Elder Christofferson dedicates Salta Argentina Temple
- June 4, 2024 – Episode 191: Elder Christofferson reflects on his own mission to Argentina and on returning to South America to dedicate the Salta Argentina Temple
- April 29, 2024 – The Salta Argentina Temple Opens Its Doors to the Public
- February 22, 2024 – Learn about the new leaders of these 8 temples — from Boise to Brazil
- January 29, 2024 – Habrá visitas guiadas para conocer el gran templo mormón que se construyó en Salta
News Stories
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Elder Christofferson Dedicates the Salta Argentina Temple
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the Salta Argentina Temple on Sunday, June 16, 2024. Elder Christofferson served as a full-time missionary in the Argentina North Mission from 1964 to 1966. He recalled working as a young missionary to help build the first chapel in Salta on several preparation days, then later returning with his mission president, President Richard G. Scott, when the chapel was dedicated in 1966. "This temple and all latter-day temples constitute our visible, tangible testimony of the living reality of the Redeemer, since without His Atonement and Resurrection, the temple would serve no purpose," he said.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
News Conference Held for the Salta Argentina Temple
Local government officials and more than 20 media organizations participated in a news conference this morning for the newly constructed Salta Argentina Temple. The temple's architecture and design reflect the region's rich heritage, honoring the cardon cactus flower, a prominent plant in the area, and the guarda pampa pattern motif, traditionally used in regional costumes and handcrafts. Free tours for the general public begin on Friday, May 3, and continue through Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., excluding Sundays.
Photo: Maria Belén Palmer Villagrán
Temple Presidents and Matrons Announced for Salta and Tallahassee
The first temple presidents and matrons for the Salta Argentina Temple and Tallahassee Florida Temple have been announced. Guillermo Francisco De Sousa and Mercedes Elba Hammond De Sousa from Córdoba have been called as the president and matron of the temple in Salta. President De Sousa was born in Portugal and served in the Córdoba Argentina Temple presidency. Douglas Dean Gilbert and Kathy Faye Tate Gilbert of Tifton, Georgia, have been called as president and matron of the temple in Tallahassee. President Gilbert is from Alamosa, Colorado. He currently serves as a temple ordinance worker and is a former stake president.
Photo: Nicolas
Open House and Dedication Announced for the Salta Argentina Temple
The public is invited to tour the Salta Argentina Temple from Friday, May 3, through Saturday, May 18, excluding Sundays. Prior to the public open house, a media day will be held on Tuesday, April 30, and tours for invited guests will occur on Wednesday and Thursday, May 1 and 2. Elder D. Todd Christofferson will dedicate the temple on Sunday, June 16, 2024, in two sessions at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. AST.
Photo: Beth Ar
Construction of the Salta Argentina Temple Wrapping Up
Construction of the Salta Argentina Temple is drawing to a close. Once the building is turned over to the Church, the temple will be furnished and prepared to receive guests at a public open house. The dates for the open house and dedication have not yet been announced. Once dedicated, it will become the third temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in operation in Argentina.
Photo: Beth Ar
Exterior Lighting of the Salta Argentina Temple
Installation of the exterior lighting system for the Salta Argentina Temple has been completed. The lighting of this House of the Lord makes it not only a beautiful building but also a symbolic representation of Jesus Christ as the light of the world. He said: "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12).
Photo: Salta Argentina Stake
Monument Sign Installed on the Salta Argentina Temple Grounds
The monument sign for the Salta Argentina Temple has been installed at the entrance to the property, just across from the guardhouse. Curbing is in place for the semicircular flowerbed that sits in front of the sign, which will be planted later. Large sections of the grounds feature drought-tolerant plants and earth-toned pathways. Construction of the temple is in the final stages, but no completion date has been announced.
Photo: Amparo ZA
Fence Panels Installed at the Salta Argentina Temple Site
A recent photograph of the Salta Argentina Temple shows the progress being made toward completion. More picket panels have been installed for the ornamental fence that encloses the beautiful temple grounds, featuring grass lawns, numerous flowerbeds, and a healthy complement of shade trees. In addition to the excellent progress being made on the landscaping, work continues on finishing the interior rooms.
Landscaping the Salta Argentina Temple Grounds
Major planting efforts are underway on the Salta Argentina Temple grounds, especially in the main plaza area that connects the temple to the accommodation center. Fresh grass, young trees, and numerous shrubs and flowers are bringing color and new life to the site. Cladding of the temple's exterior walls is nearing completion, and finish work on the interior is progressing.
Photo: Santiago
Scaffolding Removed from the Salta Argentina Temple Steeple
Stone cladding of the Salta Argentina Temple has nearly been completed, allowing scaffolding to be removed from the majestic steeple. Beneath the feet of the angel Moroni is a brilliant blue dome, exquisite stained glass, and classical architectural stone moldings. Landscaping and interior finish work continues to make progress. Construction of the temple began 26 months ago.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Mayor Visits the Salta Argentina Temple Site
Bettina Romero, the mayor of Salta, recently visited the construction site of the Salta Argentina Temple. "Salta values religious expression," she said, "and appreciates the important contribution that the temple provides to the community." She specifically expressed gratitude for the employment that the construction had brought to the city. "We are grateful to see this wonderful temple built in our land and look forward to the open house when it is completed."
Photo: Santiago García Gómez
Angel Moroni Added to the Salta Argentina Temple
On Thursday, November 24, a crane operator lifted a gold-leafed statue of the angel Moroni to the top of the Salta Argentina Temple, marking a major milestone in the construction of the temple. It is the last temple to receive the once-traditional statue, as all other temples in planning have been designed with finials. The angel Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith in 1823 in one of the early events of the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Overhead View of the Salta Argentina Temple Site
Stone cladding of the exterior walls of the Salta Argentina Temple has been completed on three sides, leaving the front and the steeple to be finished. The stunning plaza that connects the temple to the housing buildings will include a water feature with a circular fountain and narrow troughs to the north and south. The temple will reach its two-year groundbreaking anniversary in just two weeks.
Photo: Gabriel Chard
Construction Advancements on the Salta Argentina Temple
Stone cladding has been completed on two of the four sides of the Salta Argentina Temple. The remaining portions of the west and north sides and the entire steeple will be completed in the coming months. The interior is still in the early stages of completion. Scaffolding is assisting workers with the plastering of walls and ceilings, and safety fences have been placed around the opening and concrete base for the baptismal font.
Photo: Karina Seiman
East Side Scaffolding Removed from the Salta Argentina Temple
Scaffolding has been removed from the east side of the Salta Argentina Temple where stone cladding has been completed. The south side is also nearing completion, and work is underway on the west. The temple faces north toward the accommodation center buildings. Frames have been installed for the roofs, and pieces of the top cornice are being attached. Windows have been installed.
Photo: Gisenadir Diaz
Cladding Progress on the Salta Argentina Temple
Stone cladding of the Salta Argentina Temple is making encouraging progress with the east side virtually completed and work well underway on the south side of the north-facing building. The grounds are being prepared for landscaping on the south end where the highway is located. Most of the parking is planned for the northwest corner, just west of the plaza that lies between the temple and the housing facility.
Hardscaping the Salta Argentina Temple Grounds
An aerial view of the Salta Argentina Temple grounds presents the beauty of the surrounding Andes mountains and the satisfying progress being made on installing the hardscape. Beautiful symmetry is achieved in the angled walkways, rounded patios, and raised planters. Various stages of finish work continue on the exterior including sheathing and stone cladding.
Photo: Leonardo Choquevilca
Salta Argentina Temple Steeple Sheathed
The domed steeple that rises over the Salta Argentina Temple has been sheathed, and stone cladding is progressing around the south side of the building. Glass has been installed in the window openings to enclose the temple while brackets have been attached to the top of the openings where ornamental stone will be hung. The temple has been under construction for 17 months.
Photo: The Church of Jesus Christ in Jujuy
Cladding the Salta Argentina Temple in Stone
Exterior cladding of the Salta Argentina Temple is making progress on the east wing, and numerous additional crates sit in the staging areas around the building. The soft gray ornamented stone is a handsome choice for this superbly designed House of the Lord. Local church groups enjoy visiting the construction site and taking pictures of the progress. The temple has been under construction for 16 months.
Photo: The Church of Jesus Christ in Jujuy
Cupola Frame Installed Atop the Salta Argentina Temple
The metal frame for the domed cupola of the Salta Argentina Temple has been fastened to the top of the steeple frame. A cylindrical pole that rises from the center of the cupola will eventually support a gold-leafed figure of the angel Moroni. Sheathing board is being attached to the exterior walls that have already been wrapped in a vapor barrier. This will be followed by stone cladding.
Photo: Sergio Enrique Suarez Nico
A View of the Salta Argentina Temple from the Highway
Catch a view of the Salta Argentina Temple from the highway that runs between the temple and the Martín Miguel de Güemes International Airport, also known as El Aybal Airport. It is the main hub of the Argentine Andes. Window frames and glass are currently being installed in the temple, and hardscaping of the temple grounds has begun including the walkways and gathering plazas that will surround the building.
Photo: Vicky Cabranes
Steeple Frame Added to the Salta Argentina Temple
A new structure has been added to the top of the Salta Argentina Temple. The steeple frame has been hoisted and secured into place at the center of the roof. The tiered tower will hold eight stained-glass windows and support a cupola with the angel Moroni. The exterior walls have been damp proofed ahead of the ornamental cladding, which will feature arched openings with scrolled keystones and parapets accented with pinnacles.
Photo: Juanjo Bz
Wrapping the Salta Argentina Temple in a Vapor Barrier
Construction of the Salta Argentina Temple began nearly eleven months ago, and the concrete walls have already been wrapped in a vapor barrier to damp proof the exterior of the building. Member groups from throughout the region make visits to the construction site and look forward to the day of dedication. Construction of the Mendoza Argentina Temple is following closely behind the temple in Salta, and construction of a temple in Bahía Blanca is expected to begin soon.
Photo: Lucas Gonzalez
Framing the Interior of the Salta Argentina Temple
Over the past couple of months, the concrete structure for the Salta Argentina Temple has been completed and the roof has been installed, allowing framing on the interior to move forward. Work has also begun on applying a vapor barrier to damp proof the exterior of the building. The temple will be the third of five temples operating, under construction, or in planning for the country of Argentina.
Photo: Jesus Enrique Higa
Concrete Walls in Place for the Salta Argentina Temple
Construction continues on the Salta Argentina Temple at the entrance to El Aybal—a gated community and country club in southwestern Salta. The concrete walls for the temple are nearly finished, and work on the accommodation buildings is moving above ground. Excavations have been carried out for the footings of a Church services building and temple president and matron residence.
Photo: Titi Brizuela
Salta Argentina Temple Continues to Grow
Concrete forms are in place for the next pour of the exterior walls of the Salta Argentina Temple—the third of five temples operating, under construction, or announced for the country of Argentina. Accommodation buildings are also under construction just north of the temple.
Photo: Esther Romina Z. Biggs
Pouring Exterior Walls for the Salta Argentina Temple
With the foundation installed for the Salta Argentina Temple, the concrete crew is now forming and pouring the steel-reinforced exterior walls of the building. A collection of construction signs sit above the green fence including a prominent print of the temple rendering. Salta has a population of over a half million people and is the largest city in the province of Salta.
Photo: Fabiana Ledesma
Tower Crane Installed at the Salta Argentina Temple Site
A recently installed tower crane stands over the construction site for the Salta Argentina Temple where progress is being made on the foundation. Excavation for the partial basement that will support the baptismal font had been completed by the end of January. The temple will sit in the southern part of Salta at the entrance to a private residential area and country club named El Aybal.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Groundbreaking Held for the Salta Argentina Temple
"Heavenly Father, receive our grateful hearts for this significant and special day," prayed Elder Benjamín De Hoyos, president of the South America South Area, in his site dedicatory prayer for the Salta Argentina Temple. The prayer was uttered at the temple's groundbreaking ceremony held on Wednesday, November 4, 2020. Due to social distancing restrictions, the number of participants was limited. Several Church and government leaders were in attendance including the governor of Salta, Gustavo Sáenz.
Photo: Gislaine Nazário
Salta Argentina Temple Groundbreaking Further Postponed
A second postponement has been announced for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Salta Argentina Temple. The service was originally announced for August 15 and then postponed until October 9, but it is now anticipated to take place in November 2020. The specific day was not released. Both postponements are due to the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The temple will be constructed on a beautiful field across from the airport in the southern section of Salta.