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Pago Pago American Samoa Temple

Announced
7 April 2019
Groundbreaking
30 October 2021
A rendering of the Pago Pago American Samoa Temple.
A rendering of the Pago Pago American Samoa Temple.The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
A map of American Samoa.
A map of American Samoa.Screenshot from Google Maps
A map of the Pago Pago American Samoa Temple and surrounding area.
A map of the Pago Pago American Samoa Temple and surrounding area.The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Groundbreaking of the Pago Pago American Samoa Temple

The groundbreaking of the Pago Pago American Samoa Temple was presided over by Elder K. Brett Nattress, first counselor in the Church’s Pacific Area presidency, on Oct. 30, 2021. The Pago Pago temple was initially announced in 1977, but it wasn’t constructed because its location was later changed to Apia, Samoa, by President Spencer W. Kimball.

After the Apia Samoa Temple was dedicated in 1983, another temple was announced by Church President Russell M. Nelson for Pago Pago during April 2019 general conference. The groundbreaking ceremony for this house of the Lord was initially announced on July 27, 2021, and was supposed to take place on Oct. 9, 2021. However, the ceremony was rescheduled in September, and finally, the groundbreaking for the long-awaited Pago Pago temple took place on Oct. 30, 2021.

At the groundbreaking ceremony, Elder Nattress said, “The Savior is at the very center of everything we do. He is at the center of all that is done within the walls of the temple. As we symbolically turn the soil, let us turn our hearts to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Let us establish a firm foundation in our Savior, Jesus Christ.”

Timeline of the Pago Pago American Samoa Temple

April
07
2019
Announced
President Russell M. Nelson announced a temple for Pago Pago, American Samoa, on April 7, 2019, during April 2021 general conference. This announcement came during the last talk of the Sunday afternoon session and was announced with seven other temples.
October
21
2021
Groundbreaking
The Pago Pago American Samoa Temple groundbreaking ceremony was held on Oct. 30, 2021, with Elder K. Brett Nattress, first counselor in the Church’s Pacific Area presidency, presiding. The groundbreaking ceremony was initially supposed to take place three weeks earlier, on Oct. 9, but was rescheduled in September 2021.

The Pago Pago American Samoa Temple was announced April 7, 2019, by Church President Russell M. Nelson. The groundbreaking and site dedication were originally supposed to take place on Oct. 9 but were delayed and instead held on Oct. 30, 2021, presided over by Elder K. Brett Nattress, first counselor in the Church’s Pacific Area presidency.

Architecture and Design of the Pago Pago American Samoa Temple

The Pago Pago American Samoa Temple is planned to be a single-story, 17,000-square-foot building. Exterior renderings show the temple will have a blue, slatted roof with three arched entryways in front of the main door. Atop the temple is a three-tiered tower that ends in a golden spire.

The temple grounds will be grassy and filled with palm trees, flowers and small bushes.

Groundbreaking Photos of the Pago Pago American Samoa Temple

Elder K. Brett Nattress is joined by special guests, including American Samoa Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga, at the groundbreaking for the Pago Pago temple.
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Elder K. Brett Nattress is joined by special guests, including American Samoa Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga, at the groundbreaking for the Pago Pago temple. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
A special multistake choir performs during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new temple in Pago Pago, American Samoa.
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A special multistake choir performs during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new temple in Pago Pago, American Samoa. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Elder Faapito Auapaau, an Area Seventy, welcomes a guest at the groundbreaking event for the Pago Pago temple in American Samoa.
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Elder Faapito Auapaau, an Area Seventy, welcomes a guest at the groundbreaking event for the Pago Pago temple in American Samoa. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Leaders from the community join members of the five stakes in American Samoa at the groundbreaking for a new temple in Pago Pago.
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Leaders from the community join members of the five stakes in American Samoa at the groundbreaking for a new temple in Pago Pago. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Young women and men from American Samoa listen to the messages at the Pago Pago groundbreaking ceremony.
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Young women and men from American Samoa listen to the messages at the Pago Pago groundbreaking ceremony. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Elder Nattress greats Savali Talavou Ale, Speaker of the American Samoa House of Representatives, at the groundbreaking event for the Pago Pago temple.
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Elder Nattress greats Savali Talavou Ale, Speaker of the American Samoa House of Representatives, at the groundbreaking event for the Pago Pago temple. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Elder K. Brett Nattress addresses community and Church members attending the groundbreaking ceremony for a new temple in Pago Pago, American Samoa.
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Elder K. Brett Nattress addresses community and Church members attending the groundbreaking ceremony for a new temple in Pago Pago, American Samoa. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Elder Brett Nattress (center) greets Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga and his wife, Ella, at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new temple in Pago Pago, American Samoa.
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Elder Brett Nattress (center) greets Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga and his wife, Ella, at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new temple in Pago Pago, American Samoa. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
At the conclusion of the ceremony, guests walk from the chapel to the groundbreaking area on the temple site in Pago Pago.
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At the conclusion of the ceremony, guests walk from the chapel to the groundbreaking area on the temple site in Pago Pago. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Additional Facts

Fact #1
This will be the first Latter-day Saint temple in American Samoa.
Fact #2
A Pago Pago temple was initially announced in 1977, but it wasn’t constructed because its location was later changed to Apia, Samoa, by President Spencer W. Kimball.
Fact #3
This temple will be located less than one mile (1.6 kilometers) away from the ocean.

Quick Facts

Announced
7 April 2019
Groundbreaking
30 October 2021
Groundbreaking presided by
Elder K. Brett Nattress
Location

Ottoville Road
Tafuna, Western District 96799
American Samoa

Appointments
View schedule and book online

Additional Facts

Fact #1
This will be the first Latter-day Saint temple in American Samoa.
Fact #2
A Pago Pago temple was initially announced in 1977, but it wasn’t constructed because its location was later changed to Apia, Samoa, by President Spencer W. Kimball.
Fact #3
This temple will be located less than one mile (1.6 kilometers) away from the ocean.