The San Salvador El Salvador Temple is the 135th temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is the fourth temple to be built in Central America and the first in El Salvador.[1] The intent to build the temple was announced on November 18, 2007, in a statement from the church's First Presidency.[2]
This temple was designed by VCBO Architecture.[3] A groundbreaking ceremony, to signify the beginning of construction, was held on September 20, 2008, conducted by Don R. Clarke.[4]
Announced in 2007, construction began on the temple in September 2008. On 20 September, ground was broken and the site was dedicated by Don R. Clarke, of the Seventy and president of the church's Central America Area. The temple is in Antiguo Cuscatlán, an affluent district southwest of San Salvador. The San Salvador volcano provides a background for the temple grounds and the three-story building.
A public open house was hed from 1–23 July 2011. The temple was dedicated by Henry B. Eyring on 21 August 2011, in three dedicatory sessions.
In 2020, like all those in the church, the San Salvador El Salvador Temple was closed temporarily during the year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[5]
The temple sits on a 6.5-acre plot, and the landscaping around the temple features palm trees and tropical bushes. These elements are designed to provide a tranquil setting that enhances the sacred atmosphere of the site.
It is constructed with Branco Sienna granite. The temple has a single attached end spire topped with a statue of the angel Moroni.[6] The exterior has “arches and conches inside and out, giving it a Spanish colonial touch found in the San Salvador region.”
The interior features art-glass windows, granite, and woodwork, designed to create a spiritually uplifting environment.[7] There are also paintings and artwork of the Salvadoran landscape throughout.[8] The interior design uses a flor de izote-El Salvador’s national flower-motif throughout. The temple includes two ordinance rooms, two sealing rooms, a baptistry, and a bride’s room, each arranged for ceremonial use.
The design uses symbolic elements which provide deeper spiritual meaning to the temple's appearance and function. Symbolism is important to church members, and these include the temple’s use of El Salvador’s national flower, the flor de izote, throughout the interior.[9] The flor de izote is a symbol of fertility, wealth, and abundance.[10]
The church's temples are directed by a temple president and matron, each serving for a term of three years. The president and matron oversee the administration of temple operations and provide guidance and training for both temple patrons and staff.[11]
Serving from 2011 to 2014, the first temple president was Walter R. Petersen, Eileen M. Petersen as matron. As of 2024, the president and matron are E. Tiberio Santos and Olimpia Santos.[12]
On February 9, 2011, the church announced that a public open house would be held from July 1-July 23, 2011 (excluding Sundays).[13] During the open house, 165,790 people toured the temple. The temple was dedicated by Henry B. Eyring on August 21, 2011.[14] Like all the church's temples, it is not used for Sunday worship services. To members of the church, temples are regarded as sacred houses of the Lord. Once dedicated, only church members with a current temple recommend can enter for worship.[15]