Church Opens Inn at Temple Square

Two members of the First Presidency and the President of the Quorum of the Twelve officiated October 26 at the reopening of a Church-owned hotel overlooking Temple Square.

President Gordon B. Hinckley, First Counselor in the First Presidency, spoke; President Thomas S. Monson, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, offered the dedicatory prayer; and President Howard W. Hunter of the Quorum of the Twelve cut the ribbon, officially opening the Inn at Temple Square. Presiding Bishop Robert D. Hales conducted the program.

The building, originally built more than sixty years ago, was formerly known as Hotel Temple Square.

“We are making a bold move in announcing the operation of a smoke-free hostelry,” President Hinckley said in his remarks. Smoking is not permitted in the building.

President Hinckley mentioned the Lord’s commandment that members of the Church build the Nauvoo House in their Illinois city of refuge. (See D&C 124:22–23.) It was to be a place where “the weary traveler may find health and safety while he shall contemplate the word of the Lord.” (D&C 124:23.) President Hinckley said it is hoped that the remodeled inn will live up to the standard the Lord set in that commandment given in 1841.

He said the facility is intended to be a “small, quiet, homey inn of the type one finds in Europe and England.”

Inn manager Joleen Meredith said the staff is striving to make the inn known for personal service and intimate atmosphere.

Included in the inn is a banquet room that can seat up to 100 guests. The inn’s Carriage Court Restaurant serves lunch and dinner daily.

Remodeling of the sixty-year-old Inn at Temple Square left it with fewer,more modern rooms. (Photo by Philip S. Shurtleff.)