Norfolk Virginia Temple
During his general conference message, President Russell M. Nelson announced plans to construct a temple in Norfolk, Virginia. The Norfolk Virginia Temple is one of fifteen new temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced on April 6, 2025.[1]
Norfolk, a waterfront city located along Chesapeake Bay, is the fifth-largest city in Virginia. The area includes includes four of Virginia’s five most-populous cities — Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Newport News. It includes one of the largest naval bases in the world, Naval Station Norfolk.
Virginia is home to 100,000 Latter-day Saints in about 210 congregations.
The temple in Norfolk will be the fourth in the state, joining the Richmond Virginia Temple, which was dedicated May 2023. The Roanoke Virginia Temple and Winchester Virginia Temple were each announced in 2023. Norfolk is currently in the temple district of the Richmond Virginia Temple, about 110 miles to the northwest.[2]
- President Mark E. Smith of the Chesapeake Virginia Stake said tears flowed when they heard the announcement. It was completely unexpected since the Richmond temple is within a two-to-four-hour drive for many of their members.
- “The distance was a limiting factor for many of our well-experienced members to get to the temple. A temple in Norfolk will change that for many,” he said.
- A new house of the Lord in Norfolk will be a blessing for many stakes in the area.
- “I envision more temple workers, easy day trips for the youth and more work being done in the temple by the faithful coastal Saints in this area,” he said. “It may also make it easier for all of the faithful Saints serving in the U.S. Military, who come through this area, to add a temple trip to their visit. We could not be happier and it brings joy to the lives of many.”[3]
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Location
The Norfolk Virginia Temple is currently in the planning stages. The specific location will be announced later.
