Columbus Ohio Temple |
60th operating temple |
Phone Number: 614-351-5001.
Site: 1.35 acres.
Exterior Finish: Imperial Danby White variegated marble quarried from Vermont.
Temple Design: Classic modern, single-spire design.
Number of Rooms: Two endowment rooms and two sealing.
Total Floor Area: 10,700 square feet.
Groundbreaking and Site Dedication: 12 September 1998 by John K. Carmack
Public Open House: 21–28 August 1999
Dedication: 4–5 September 1999 by Gordon B. Hinckley
The temple is located 150 miles south of Kirtland, Ohio, where the restored Church dedicated its first temple in 1836. The site for the Columbus temple is situated in a wooded setting near the Columbus Ohio Stake Center in western Columbus. The white Vermont marble on the exterior of the building was quarried near Sharon, Vermont, birthplace of the Prophet Joseph Smith.1
Ownership of the property ties to Julia Clapp Murdock, a devoted member who lived at the time of Joseph Smith in Kirtland. On April 30, 1831, the day that Emma's twins were born and died, Julia died after giving birth to twins herself. Julia's husband asked the Prophet and Emma to care for the twins feeling he was unable, which somewhat softened Emma's sorrow. Julia's father, Orris, was a member of Sidney Rigdon's congregation, who eventually became embittered toward the Church and left New York for Ohio accompanied by his brother, Abner Clapp. Upon their arrival, Abner purchased the land where the temple now stands. Records indicate he was the land's first owner, and as far as can be ascertained, he did not share his brother's animosity toward the Church.2
During the entire construction process, it seemed that the right people were willing to help. Clyde Stewart, a missionary called with his wife as project supervisor, awoke some nights feeling there was a problem with the construction; the next day he would find the errors as he had envisioned. Brent Harris specially built two windows for the temple made to look like the windows crafted by Truman O. Angell in the Kirtland Temple. Landscapers Erik and Lois Mars worked late at night landscaping the grounds while their baby slept in the carriage. Randy and Michelle Franklin transplanted trees around the grounds prior to construction, then returned each day to water them and ensure they took root. Kevin Clawson built a 2-foot wide, 8-foot long stand with handrails in two days to help steady people as they pulled booties over their shoes during the open house; it was so effective, it was transported for use at the Detroit temple open house.3
1. Shaun Stahle, "Columbus Ohio Temple begins public open house," Church News 28. Aug. 1999: 5.
2. Shaun Stahle, "Spiritual celebration—Columbus Ohio Temple dedicated," Church News 11 Sept. 1999: 3.
3. Stahle 3.
