Announcement of the Antananarivo Madagascar Temple
President Russell M. Nelson, 17th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, announced the Antananarivo Madagascar Temple on Oct. 3, 2021, during the Sunday afternoon session of October 2021 general conference — one of 13 temples announced worldwide by the Church. A sacred edifice for this island republic off the southeast coast of Africa will be the first for this nation.
Before serving a mission in Durban, South Africa, Domoina Kendell received the temple endowment in the Johannesburg South Africa Temple. The native of Madagascar had been hoping for a temple in her homeland for several years. So when Kendell heard the announcement of a temple for Antananarivo — after her initial excitement — the tears came.
“I am so happy for [the Malagasy people]. ... I commend their hard work and diligence and their faith,” she joyfully related.
In 2002, Kendall moved to the United States and was residing in West Valley City, Utah, at the time of announcement. Reflecting on the blessings a temple will bring her native country, she added: “I have no words to express my gratitude to Heavenly Father. This will bring so many blessings for the people of Madagascar. I think having a temple there will bring a different perspective” of family history work.
Ground was broken for the Antananarivo Madagascar Temple on March 15, 2025, with Elder Denelson Silva — a General Authority Seventy and first counselor in the Africa South Area presidency — presiding.
Timeline of the Antananarivo Madagascar Temple
The Antananarivo Madagascar Temple was announced by Church President Russell M. Nelson on Oct. 3, 2021. Approximately three and a half years later, ground was broken for the temple on March 15, 2025, with Elder Denelson Silva presiding.
Architecture and Design of the Antananarivo Madagascar Temple
According to site plans released by the Church on Dec. 11, 2023, the Antananarivo Madagascar Temple will be a single-story building of approximately 10,000 square feet. The edifice will stand on a 9.8-acre site in Fokontany Andranoro, Ambohibao, Antehiroka, Andranomena, in the northwest sector of Antananarivo.
A meetinghouse currently is located on Lot 208 A, Fokontany Andranoro, Commune Ambohibao, in the locality of Antehiroka in Andranomena. The lot is just west of the RN4 national road, along a section known as Lalana Général Andrimahazo. Patron housing and arrival facilities are planned for the temple grounds.