See Inside the Renovated Oakland California Temple
Contributed By Alexa Reimschussel, Church News staff writer
The celestial room in the Oakland California Temple, which is open to the public until June 1, 2019. The rededication will take place on June 16.
Article Highlights
- The dedication for the Oakland temple will be on June 16.
- The temple has blessed the Bay Area for many decades.
- All are welcome to see the new renovations during open house hours until June 1.
“It’s a real thrill to see [the Oakland California Temple] be rededicated, to see it be refurbished. And it has a place in my heart that’s very, very special, so I’m very grateful for it.” —Elder Quentin L. Cook
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The public is invited to tour the newly renovated Oakland California Temple of the Church. The open house will be held between May 11 and June 1, with the formal dedication held on Sunday, June 16, according to Newsroom.
The renovation of the temple incorporated the original 1960s design that includes a rectified original waterfall feature that flows from the second level garden terrace into the reflection pool.
Windows were also added to the windowless temple in the renovation. The temple was originally designed without windows to create a “theater-like setting” because the Oakland temple was one of the first to use film rather than a live presentation during its instruction.
President David O. McKay (1873–1970) dedicated the Oakland California Temple in 1964 as the 13th operating temple in the Church. In the dedicatory prayer, President McKay expressed appreciation to the committee who chose the temple site in 1934 and stated that the temple is “a monument testifying to the faith and loyalty of the members of Thy Church in the payment of their tithes and offerings.”
President McKay also blessed those who had labored in the building of the temple or in any way aided in its completion.
“May peace abide in the homes of Thy people everywhere, and may sickness and disease be rebuked from their midst,” he said.
This week, Elder Quentin L. Cook and Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are leading tours of the renovated temple for local community leaders.
The Bay Area was home to Elder Cook and his wife, Sister Mary Cook, for over 30 years. “It’s a real thrill to see [the Oakland California Temple] be rededicated, to see it be refurbished,” Elder Cook said. “And it has a place in my heart that’s very, very special, so I’m very grateful for it.”
An instruction room in the Oakland California Temple.
The celestial room in the Oakland California Temple.
The celestial room in the Oakland California Temple.
An instruction room in the Oakland California Temple.
A waiting room in the Oakland California Temple.
A sealing room in the Oakland California Temple.
Entry into the Oakland California Temple through the recommend desk.
One of the two chapels in the Oakland California Temple. This is the north chapel.
A sealing room in the Oakland California Temple.
The baptistry in the Oakland California Temple.
The bride’s room in the Oakland California Temple.
An outside wall of the Oakland California Temple.
One of the variety of artistic displays in the Oakland California Temple.
