Chicago Illinois Temple
The Chicago Illinois Temple is the 35th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In 1985 when the Chicago Illinois Temple was dedicated, it was the first temple to be built in Midwestern United States in nearly 140 years. The last one having been the Nauvoo Temple, which was begun during the lifetime of the Prophet Joseph Smith but not completed until 1846. The Nauvoo Temple was rebuilt in 2002, giving the state of Illinois two Latter-day Saint temples.
It was not easy getting approval for a temple in Illinois. There was considerable opposition from "groups concerned over the visual effect the Temple would have on the area." [1] It took nearly two years of searching for the appropriate site and another two years to seek government approval. When the ground was finally broken in 1983, President Gordon B. Hinckley, then an apostle, promised the community that, "what we do here will be beautiful and will enhance rather than diminish the charm of this lovely area." [2]
The site chosen, an area referred to as The Grove, was known for its beautiful landscape of wildflowers, birds, and grasslands, and the Church of Jesus Christ went to great lengths to preserve the land's beauty. Along with preserving the natural landscape. the Church also created a "one hundred foot buffer zone along the southern border of the Temple site." This southern side of the Temple "remains unlighted at all times as not to disturb the bird migration flyways." [3]
The Chicago Illinois Temple is able to accommodate a broad spectrum of Church members, from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds such as Spanish, Polish, Korean, and other Asian cultures, as well as members who are deaf. The temple construction process also enabled members to contribute their means, talents, and time. Children donated pennies. Young women made dolls for the temple nursery. Women crocheted and tatted altar cloths and many donated hours in helping with the open house.
The Chicago Illinois Temple open house, held 15 July–3 August 1985, allowed the community and its members to tour the sacred edifice before the dedication. Over one hundred thousand people walked the halls of the Chicago Temple learning of the temple's purpose and marveling at the beauty of this majestic building.
President Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated the Chicago Illinois Temple on August 9, 1985. When it was first dedicated, the temple had a total of 17,850 square feet, four ordinance rooms, and three sealing rooms.
Remodeling and Repairs
The Chicago Illinois Temple closed on September 3, 1988, for remodeling that more than doubled its size. The rear central spire and original breezeways between the annex were enclosed, and additional square footage was built underground, largely retaining the exterior appearance of the temple. The remodel added a fifth ordinance room, large sealing room, cafeteria, and maintenance facility. Enlarged were the laundry, administrative area, and baptistry, which was relocated.[1] The addition and affected areas were rededicated in October 1989.[2] The temple square footage is now over 37,000, with much of the new space being underground.
In December 1994, the Chicago Illinois Temple was closed for two months for the addition of an elevator and for other minor changes.
On Christmas Eve of 2008, a frozen ceiling sprinkler pipe burst inside the Chicago Illinois Temple, causing extensive water damage. An army of craftsmen from as far away as New Mexico replaced all of the carpet, replaced over 2,000 feet of wood trim, and replaced or reupholstered most of the furniture in just two months.[3]
In January 2015, the smallest sealing room in the Chicago Illinois Temple was converted into a changing room for patrons participating in proxy sealings.[4]
Notes
- "The First 100 Temples," Hawkins, 2001, 97
- "Rites Begin Construction of New Temple Near Chicago," Winfield, Aug 1983, 3
- "Temple a Mecca for Midwest Mormons," Chicago Tribune, Wood, June 1985
See also
External Links
- Official Chicago Illinois Temple page
- Chicago Illinois Temple page
- Chicago Illinois Temple dedicatory prayer, 1985
- Chicago Illinois Temple dedicatory prayer, 1989
- Church Almanac, Chicago Illinois Temple
- Latter-day Saint Temples - Wikipedia
- Mormon Temples and Secrecy
- FamilySearch RootsTech, Temple Invitation by Russell M. Nelson
- What Are Temples?
