Accra Ghana Temple
Manhattan New York Temple
Copenhagen Denmark Temple
118th dedicated temple in operation
© Aaron Nuffer. All rights reserved.
Services
NO visitors' center open to the publicNO arrival center available
Patron housing available
NO distribution center on site (Store Locator)
Announcement:
17 March 1999Groundbreaking and Site Dedication:
24 April 1999 by Spencer J. CondiePublic Open House:
29 April–15 May 2004Dedication:
23 May 2004 by Gordon B. HinckleySite:
0.6 acres | 0.2 hectaresExterior Finish:
Original brick and columns of meetinghouse dedicated in 1931Architectural Features:
Single detached spire with an angel Moroni statueOrdinance Rooms:
Two instruction rooms (two-stage progressive), two sealing rooms, and one baptistryTotal Floor Area:
25,000 square feet | 2,323 square metersElevation:
27 feet | 8 metersTemple History
The Copenhagen Denmark Temple was the ninth temple built in Europe and the second built in the Nordic countries, following the Stockholm Sweden Temple (1985).
The Copenhagen Denmark Temple was the second temple built from an existing building, following the Vernal Utah Temple (1997). The temple is a total renovation of the neo-classical Priorvej chapel, which was built in 1931 and dedicated by Elder John A. Widtsoe of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The interior was completely gutted, leaving the exterior and a few carefully reproduced portions of the interior as reminders of the original chapel.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Copenhagen Denmark Temple was held on the same day as the groundbreaking ceremony for the San José Costa Rica Temple.
Construction of the Copenhagen Denmark Temple came to a halt not long after renovation began when discoveries were made regarding the building's physical dimensions and the high water table in the area. Plans had to be redrawn, significantly increasing the cost of the temple.
Redrawn plans for the Copenhagen Denmark Temple necessitated the demolition of an existing mission office and garage known as the "villa." The baptismal font was relocated underground and would receive natural light through a circular skylight feature on the east side of the temple grounds. A copper dome was added to the roof over the Celestial Room.
A new meetinghouse, the Nitivej Chapel, was built near the Copenhagen Denmark Temple during the same time the temple was constructed. The chapel served as the starting point for tours during the temple open house.
On August 16, 2003, a gold-leafed fiberglass statue of the angel Moroni was placed atop the detached steeple to the delight of the gathered crowd.
A total of 25,512 visitors toured the Copenhagen Denmark Temple during its two-and-a-half week public open house, resulting in 1,084 missionary referrals.
During the open house, an 8-foot replica of Bertel Thorvaldsen's Christus statue was placed in the chapel entryway for visitors to see. The original statue stands in the Vor Frue Kirke (The Church of Our Lady), just a few minutes away in downtown Copenhagen.
At the dedication of the Copenhagen Denmark Temple, President Gordon B. Hinckley spoke of his testimony of eternal life with our loved ones, which had been an anchor to him in dealing with the void of losing his dear wife, Marjorie, who had passed away the month before.
