Due to high demand, the Temple of the Church of Latter-day Saints in Washington, DC, will extend its opening to the public as needed through August.
In July, the temple, known informally as the Mormon Temple in Kensington, announced it would be open to the public for the first time in nearly 50 years between April 28 and June 4.
In a press release posted online Friday, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said the open house would be extended “as needed” and the rededication had been pushed back to August 14. The opening date of the period remains April 28. .
“We are inspired and grateful for the response of friends, neighbors, and Church members to the invitation to ‘come see’ the renovated temple,” the press release reads. “Within two weeks of the announcement, almost 50% of available parking reservations were filled, and many more people showed interest.”
Available dates will be posted online “as soon as they are determined,” the post read. The temple’s website says decisions about offering additional days of self-guided tours will be made by March 15.
Tours are free and self-guided and last about 40 minutes, according to the temple’s website. People will be available to answer questions in multiple languages after tours outside the temple.
Parking and tickets for a shuttle that travels from Forest Glen Underground Station to the temple at designated times on weekday evenings and Saturdays are required to access the parking lot or use the shuttle service. Tickets are available online.
The temple originally planned to hold the open house in September and October 2020, followed by a rededication in December. But those plans have been put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The temple was last opened to the public in 1974.
The upcoming open house follows a multi-year renovation project.
The 160,000 square foot temple closed in 2018 for renovations, which included upgrades to electrical, lighting and plumbing systems. New flooring, wood finishes and art glass were also added.
Guests are not allowed to take photos or videos inside the temple.
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