Iowa is one step closer to having its first Mormon temple.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely known as the Mormon church, released renderings Monday of the planned temple, to be built in Johnston.
The drawings show a graceful, white building with an arched entryway complemented by arched windows and a tall steeple, also with arched openings.
Susan Sims, communications director for the church's Iowa and western Illinois region, said "our local members have been wanting a temple in Iowa for a long time. We all have access to temples in the surrounding states... but this brings it, especially to the metro members, the temple, much closer."
The plan for the temple was first announced in April as one of 15 the church plans to build around the globe, including one in central Iowa.
The 18,850-square-foot structure will sit on a nearly 20-acre undeveloped site at 9050 N.W. 62nd Ave. just west of the new headquarters of the Fareway supermarket chain. Polk County records show the church bought the land for $2.5 million in October 2023.
What will the temple look like?
The Iowa temple will resemble other Mormon temples across the country. The rendering suggests that like those in Nebraska, Missouri and Minnesota, it will be made of white granite.
"This will look beautiful," Sims said. "I think it's something that the city of Johnston will be able to be proud of to have this amongst other religious buildings in Johnston."
Temples include elements of the local area, city, state and country, Sims said. Iowa's landscape, culture and history will influence the design.
"Now that we have the renderings — we don't know the timeline for when anything will happen — We will be working closely with the city," Sims said. "In the future, we will have an open house, and we wholeheartedly welcome anyone and everyone in the community."
The design is preliminary but provides an idea of what will be sent to the city of Johnston in connection with requests for construction permits.
No renderings of the interior of the temple were released and there is no timeline for when it will be built.
How many Latter-day Saints are in Iowa?
There are about 29,000 active members of the Church of Latter-day Saints in about 70 congregations in Iowa. Only members "who are in good standing are allowed to enter the temples," according to church's website.
Iowa has a long history with the church: The 1,300-mile Mormon Pioneer Trail passes through the state, and there were nearly 200 settlers in the southern Iowa town of Garden Grove, which served as a waystation as persecuted Mormons left Nauvoo, Illinois, for Utah's Great Salt Lake Valley in 1846, according to the National Park Service. Garden Grove, with its cabins and crops, served as "a resting place for those who could not continue and for those who would soon arrive" and was active until 1852, the park service said.
Currently, Iowans have to drive two to four hours to reach the nearest temples, located in Kansas City, Missouri; Nauvoo; Oakdale, Minnesota; and Omaha, Nebraska.
Kyle Werner is a reporter for the Register. Reach him at [email protected]