Announcement of the Santos Brazil Temple
President Russell M. Nelson, 17th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, announced the Santos Brazil Temple on April 3, 2022, during the Sunday afternoon session of April 2022 general conference. A house of the Lord for Santos was one of 17 temples announced at the conference — and the 16th sacred edifice for Brazil.
Almost 1.5 million members of the Church live in Brazil — the third-largest population of Latter-day Saints by country. Only the United States and Mexico have more members. The first temple in Brazil — and in South America — was in São Paulo, dedicated in 1978, when the country had some 54,000 members.
Ground will be broken for the Santos Brazil Temple on Aug. 1, 2026, with Elder Ronald M. Barcellos — a General Authority Seventy and counselor in the Brazil Area presidency — presiding.
Timeline of the Santos Brazil Temple
The Santos Brazil Temple was announced by President Nelson on April 3, 2022. Ground will be broken for the temple on Aug. 1, 2026, with Elder Ronald M. Barcellos presiding.
Architecture and Design of the Santos Brazil Temple
According to site plans released by the Church on Nov. 28, 2022, the Santos Brazil Temple will be a two-story building of approximately 23,000 square feet. The edifice will be constructed at Avenida Doutor Waldemar Leão. A ward meetinghouse currently stands on the site.