Groundbreaking of the Belo Horizonte Brazil Temple
The groundbreaking of the Belo Horizonte Brazil Temple was presided over Elder Juan A. Uceda, second counselor in the Church’s Brazil Area presidency, on June 17, 2023. Around 500 guests attended, including Duílio de Castro, the mayor of Sete Lagoas; Natalie Oliffson, the representative of the secretary of culture of Belo Horizonte; and Álvaro Azevedo, the secretary of social service from Nova Lima.
In his dedicatory prayer on the site, Elder Uceda said, “I ask Thee, dear Father, that this place and all who live within the boundaries of the temple district enjoy special protection. And may the light of the gospel shine throughout this region. We pray that no influence will stop or delay the building of the temple and that in due time it will be dedicated as the house of the Lord. May Thy spiritual power be strongly felt in this region.”
The Belo Horizonte Brazil Temple is scheduled to be dedicated Aug. 16, 2026, with the presiding authority to be announced later.
Timeline of the Belo Horizonte Brazil Temple
The Belo Horizonte temple was announced April 4, 2021, by President Russell M. Nelson. The groundbreaking and site dedication for this house of the Lord were held on June 17, 2023, and presided over by Elder Juan A. Uceda, second counselor in the Church’s Brazil Area presidency.
After a public open house from June 13 to June 27, 2026, the Belo Horizonte Brazil Temple will be dedicated Aug. 16, 2026.
Architecture and Design of the Belo Horizonte Brazil Temple
A single-story structure of 2,665 square meters (28,685 square feet), the Belo Horizonte temple is made of precast concrete, with structural steel in a spire positioned over the celestial room. The exterior is clad in Branco Ceará, a Brazilian granite. Across the 6-acre grounds, plaza areas feature traditional black-and-white Portuguese-style stone paving.
Inside the edifice, designs draw inspiration from local Portuguese tile patterns, with geometric and floral motifs reflecting regional cultural influences. On the ceiling and friezes, decorative painting features circular mandala patterns. Art-glass windows, inspired by traditional Portuguese tile patterns common in Minas Gerais, display white, yellow and various shades of blue.
Crystal chandeliers can be found in the celestial room, sealing rooms and bride’s room, and decorative fixtures are in other areas of this house of the Lord. Native Brazilian tauari wood makes up millwork, cabinets, benches and other architectural details. Marble flooring is composed of locally manufactured Portinari Calacata Real porcelain tile and Calacatta Michelangelo Supreme marble.
Interior Photos of the Belo Horizonte Brazil Temple
