Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints


Lisbon Portugal Temple

Durban South Africa Temple

Arequipa Peru Temple

167th dedicated temple in operation
Arequipa Peru Temple

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Address

Calle Cusco 380
Carmen Alto
Distrito De Cayma
Arequipa, Arequipa
Peru
Telephone:  (+51) 54-640-300

Services

NO visitors' center open to the public
NO arrival center available
NO patron housing available
Distribution center on site or nearby (Store Locator)

Announcement: 

6 October 2012

Groundbreaking and Site Dedication: 

4 March 2017 by Carlos A. Godoy

Public Open House: 

15–30 November 2019

Dedication: 

15 December 2019 by Ulisses Soares

Site: 

7.91 acres  |  3.2 hectares

Exterior Finish: 

Grey-white granite

Architectural Features: 

Single attached central tower with an angel Moroni statue

Ordinance Rooms: 

Two instruction rooms, two sealing rooms, and one baptistry

Total Floor Area: 

26,969 square feet  |  2,506 square meters

Elevation: 

7,969 feet  |  2,429 meters

Temple Locale

The Arequipa Peru Temple is located just three miles north of the city center near the entrance to the quiet village of Carmen Alto. The land stands on a bluff rising from the Chili River and surrounded by breathtaking pastures and mountain views including the prominent volcano Misti. Carmen Alto is easily accessible by public transportation and is described by visitors as "heaven like."


Temple Facts

The Arequipa Peru Temple was the third temple built in Peru, following the Lima Peru Temple (1986) and the Trujillo Peru Temple (2015).

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Arequipa Peru Temple was held on the same day as the groundbreaking ceremony for the Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple.


Temple History

Announcement

The Arequipa Peru Temple was announced by President Thomas S. Monson on October 6, 2012, during the opening session of the 182nd Semiannual General Conference. At the time of the announcement, there were over a half million members of the Church in Peru organized into 101 stakes and 19 districts. Missionary work officially began in the country in 1956.1

Governement Approval

In January 2016, the site for the Arequipa Peru Temple was rezoned, which allowed for the acquisition of building permits. The general contractor was selected in March 2016.

Groundbreaking

on Saturday, March 4, 2017, Elder Carlos A. Godoy, president of the South America Northwest Area, presided at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Arequipa Peru Temple. "I have no doubt, brothers and sisters, that somehow all of us need to change something in our lives; to make a change in our hearts," said Elder Godoy. "This is an opportunity, perhaps, to evaluate ourselves and to qualify to be here in this house with our heart turned towards God and to be more like His Son Jesus Christ."2

Angel Moroni

On November 30, 2018, the Saints of Arequipa and Southern Peru celebrated as a brilliant gold-leafed statue of the angel Moroni was hoisted to stand atop the lantern that caps the cupola of the Arequipa Peru Temple. Hundreds of spectators gathered for the event and expressed their enthusiasm.

Open House

During the two-week open house held in November 2019, more than 80,000 people toured the interior of the Arequipa Peru Temple. Visitors were given information on why the Church builds temples and an explanation of the ordinance work performed there.

Dedication

The Arequipa Peru Temple was dedicated on December 15, 2019, by Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He prayed: "We are grateful for the early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Peru — for their pioneering work and courage. We pray that many more may come to a knowledge of their Redeemer and His holy work."


Temple Design

A stylized version of the Flor de Texao Arequipa, is used in many places throughout the temple — in the carved hardwood, art glass windows, metal fixtures, stonework and flooring decorative painting. The Flor de Texao Arequipa is also featured in the art glass window panels on the exterior of the temple. Of special note are the large windows on the landing and at both central axes of the structure.

In addition to white and cream carpets, interior floors feature Perlantino marble tiling from Italy as well as multi-colored woolen area rugs from China.

The temple’s walls and corridors are adorned with giclee prints of familiar and beloved artwork depicting the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

A Spanish-style water fountain near the main entrance of the temple is of similar design to those seen in other plazas and courtyards of Arequipa.

The landscape design highlights a mixture of grasses, flowers, shrubs and trees native to the region that beautify the gardens surrounding the temple. Among the many plants found in the gardens are the cantuta, the national flower of Peru; the queñua, a small Andean tree found at higher elevations; and the achupaya, traditionally used in Incan handicrafts. There are dozens of additional flowering trees, evergreens and palms.3


  1. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, "Church Announces New Temples in Arizona and Peru," 6 Oct. 2012.
  2. Jason Swensen, "Ground broken for future temples in South America," Church News, 9 Mar. 2017.
  3. "Doors Open for Public Tours of the Arequipa Peru Temple," The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, 12 Nov. 2019.

Lima Peru Temple
38th dedicated temple in operation
Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple
171st dedicated temple in operation
Trujillo Peru Temple
147th dedicated temple in operation