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


Aba Nigeria Temple

Sacramento California Temple

Newport Beach California Temple

122nd dedicated temple in operation
Newport Beach California Temple

© 2006, Rick Satterfield. All rights reserved.

Address

2300 Bonita Canyon Dr
Newport Beach, California  92660-9118
United States
Telephone:  (+1) 949-644-1820

Services

NO clothing rental available
NO cafeteria food served
NO patron housing available
NO distribution center nearby (Store Locator)

Announcement: 

21 April 2001

Groundbreaking and Site Dedication: 

15 August 2003 by Duane B. Gerrard

Public Open House: 

23 July–20 August 2005

Dedication: 

28 August 2005 by Gordon B. Hinckley

Site: 

8.8 acres  |  3.6 hectares

Exterior Finish: 

Salisbury pink granite from North Carolina

Architectural Features: 

Single attached tower with an angel Moroni statue

Ordinance Rooms: 

Two instruction rooms (two-stage progressive), three sealing rooms, and one baptistry

Total Floor Area: 

17,800 square feet  |  1,654 square meters

Height: 

90 feet  |  27.4 meters

Elevation: 

196 feet  |  60 meters

Temple History

The Newport Beach California Temple was the sixth temple built in California, the fourth built in Southern California, and the second built in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, following the Los Angeles California Temple (1956).

The Newport Beach California Temple was announced the same day as the Redlands California Temple and Sacramento California Temple on April 21, 2001.

The Newport Beach Planning Commission gave its approval for the Newport Beach California Temple on October 3, 2002, despite protests from the numerous residents in attendance. The Church worked closely with residents in a spirit of compromise, making changes in response to their concerns that included turning off flood lighting by 11:00 p.m., changing the color of the building from off-white to an earth-tone shade of seashell, and reducing the height of the spire from 124 feet to 100 feet.1


Early Rendering of the Newport Beach California Temple

Early Rendering of the Newport Beach California Temple

On November 12, 2002, the Newport Beach City Council gave final approval for the temple upon agreement by the Church to make a second reduction in the height of the steeple from 100 feet to 90 feet. The 10-foot concession gained yards in public relations, as staunch opponents embraced the compromise, saying they were ready to move forward as a community.2

Ground was broken for the temple on Friday, August 15, 2003, in the presence of area authorities, local Church leaders, civic leaders, temple architects, and media representatives. Elder Duane B. Gerrard, first counselor in the North America West Area presidency, presided and dedicated the temple site.3

On January 13, 2005, a statue of the angel Moroni crowned the temple. During placement, a remarkable solar halo was visible, which surrounded the sun. Once Moroni was in place, the phenomenon dissipated.4


  1. Chantal Lamers, "100-foot-tall Mormon temple OKd," Orange County Register 10 Oct. 2002.
  2. Fermin Leal, "Council OKs shorter Mormon steeple," Orange County Register 13 Nov. 2002.
  3. Kathleen Lubeck Peterson, "Ground broken for Newport Beach Temple," Church News 23 Aug. 2003: 4.
  4. "Topping the Temple," Los Angeles Times 14 Jan. 2005: B3.

Los Angeles California Temple
10th dedicated temple in operation
Redlands California Temple
116th dedicated temple in operation
Sacramento California Temple
123rd dedicated temple in operation