Groundbreaking of the Willamette Valley Oregon Temple
On Oct. 29, 2022, Elder Valeri V. Cordón — a General Authority Seventy and first counselor in the North America West Area presidency — presided at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Willamette Valley Oregon Temple. In his dedicatory prayer, Elder Cordón said, “We acknowledge the first Saints who came to this valley to live peacefully in their humble circumstances. We are grateful for the faithful Saints who live in this area, for their sacrifice, devotion and obedience.”
Elder Cordón continued, “We pray that the temple will be a beacon of hope and peace that inspires this community to come unto Christ, even in its construction phase.”
The Willamette Valley Oregon Temple is scheduled to be dedicated June 7, 2026, by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Timeline of the Willamette Valley Oregon Temple
A temple for Eugene, Oregon, was announced April 4, 2021, by President Russell M. Nelson. Just over a year and a half later, a groundbreaking ceremony for the newly named Willamette Valley Oregon Temple was held Oct. 29, 2022. Elder Valeri V. Cordón presided over the ceremony.
After a public open house from April 23 to May 9, 2026, the Willamette Valley Oregon Temple will be dedicated June 7, 2026, by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Architecture and Design of the Willamette Valley Oregon Temple
Standing on a 10.29-acre site at 300 International Way, Springfield, Oregon, the Willamette Valley temple is a 30,635-square-foot structure. Design motifs draw inspiration from the lush Pacific Northwest landscape and features the mountain laurel and repeating prism patterns. Art-glass windows highlight the green vegetation and blue water of the nearby McKenzie and Willamette rivers, as well as hues of gold, purple, pink, green and a blue-yellow gradient.
Throughout the temple, soft gold- and green-patterned carpets are used in various areas, with white sculpted broadloom carpet in the sealing and celestial rooms and solid-green pile in the administration area. Stone flooring includes marble from Italy, accented with gold, and green and blue stones from Italy and Brazil. The celestial and sealing rooms also feature White V marble from Vietnam and Italy.
Millwork throughout this temple is made of stained cherry wood, with paint-grade maple and poplar in select areas. Interior doors are also stained cherry, with art-glass panels and brass hardware. Ceilings feature gypsum board and acoustic ceiling tiles.
Interior Photos of the Willamette Valley Oregon Temple
