The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has released new information regarding temple projects in three locations: Jacksonville, Florida; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; and Calabar, Nigeria. The Church Newsroom updates include a groundbreaking date and the announcement of two temple sites, marking continued growth of temple building efforts worldwide.
Jacksonville Florida Temple Groundbreaking
Groundbreaking services for the Jacksonville Florida Temple will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026. Elder Massimo De Feo, First Counselor in the United States Southeast Area Presidency, will preside at the event. Attendance will be by invitation.
The Jacksonville temple was originally announced by President Russell M. Nelson in October 2023. At that time, he emphasized the purpose behind the expansion of temple construction. “The ordinances and covenants of the temple are of eternal significance,” he said. “We continue to build more temples to make these sacred possibilities become a reality in each of your lives.”
Florida is home to nearly 180,000 Latter-day Saints across around 280 congregations. The Jacksonville Florida Temple will be the fifth temple in the state. Two temples—in Fort Lauderdale and Tallahassee—are dedicated and in operation. The Orlando Florida Temple is closed for renovation, and construction on the Tampa Florida Temple began earlier this year.
The planned Jacksonville temple will be approximately 29,000 square feet and built on a 6.6-acre site at 3323 Loretto Road. The Church has released an exterior rendering depicting the intended design.
Coeur d’Alene Idaho Temple Site Announced
The Church has also identified the location for the Coeur d’Alene Idaho Temple. The temple will be built on a 10.91-acre site at the corner of Hanley Avenue and Coeur Terre Boulevard in Coeur d’Alene. Plans call for a single-story structure of roughly 29,630 square feet, along with a meetinghouse and an ancillary building.
More than 480,000 Latter-day Saints live in Idaho in nearly 1,300 congregations, making it one of the states with the highest concentrations of Church members. Temples play a central role in the religious life of many in the region.
The Coeur d’Alene temple was announced by President Nelson during the October 2024 general conference. At that time, he taught about the blessings that come from temple worship. “Every sincere seeker of Jesus Christ will find Him in the temple,” he said. “You will feel His mercy. You will find answers to your most vexing questions. You will better comprehend the joy of His gospel.”
Idaho currently has 10 temples announced, in operation, or under construction in Boise, Burley, Caldwell, Idaho Falls, Meridian, Montpelier, Pocatello, Rexburg, Teton River and Twin Falls. The new location in Coeur d’Alene will add to this presence, serving Latter-day Saints in the northern part of the state.
Calabar Nigeria Temple Location Released
In Nigeria, The Church has revealed the site for the Calabar Nigeria Temple, first announced by President Nelson in October 2023. The temple will be built on a 7-acre property on Atekong Drive in Calabar, located in Cross River State. Plans include a single-story structure of approximately 26,000 square feet, accompanied by patron housing, arrival facilities, and a meetinghouse. An exterior rendering has also been provided.
During the announcement of the temple in 2023, President Nelson spoke to the global purpose of temple construction. “The Lord is directing us to build these temples to help us think celestial,” he said. “God lives. Jesus is the Christ. His Church has been restored to bless all of God’s children.”
Nigeria has over 250,000 Church members in more than 840 congregations. The Aba Nigeria Temple is in operation, while temples in Lagos and Benin City are under construction. Additional temples have been announced for Eket, Abuja, and Uyo. The temple in Calabar will support continued growth in one of the fastest-expanding areas of the Church.
The Role of Temples
Temples in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints differ from meetinghouses, where weekly worship services and activities are held. Each temple is considered a house of the Lord, set apart for sacred ordinances and covenants. In temples, Latter-day Saints participate in teachings focused on Jesus Christ, eternal family relationships, and commitments to service and discipleship. Members often describe temples as places of peace and personal revelation.
As construction continues in Florida, Idaho, and Nigeria, these temples will serve as new gathering places for worship and reflection for Church members in their regions. The announced developments reflect the ongoing emphasis by Church leadership to expand access to temple worship worldwide.
Which temple announcement are you most excited about? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Holly Wallace is a writer and storyteller drawn to meaningful questions and overlooked details. Her work explores Latter-day Saint life and culture through faithful inquiry, inviting readers to pause, consider, and engage more deeply with what matters most.
I am excited for all the announcements. Growing up in Northern California, the nearest Temple was Salt Lake Temple. Our Stake would charter a bus to take the youth to Salt Lake Temple to do baptisms. Then with the Los Angeles temple completed, Stake would charter a bus to allow adults to go. Then the Oakland Temple was built, a little closer. Now the Yuba City Temple, however I was living in UTAH. I am happy for all the members in California to have a closer Temple and for all the Temples constructed throughout the world.