Kirtland Temple

About this property

The Kirtland Temple, located in Kirtland, Ohio, is the first temple built by adherents of the Latter Day Saint movement, also known as Mormons, dedicated in March 1836. Joseph Smith, the movement's founder, directed the construction following a series of reported revelations, and the temple showcases a blend of Federal, Greek Revival, and Gothic Revival architectural styles. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969 and named a National Historic Landmark in 1977. The temple is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Prior to March 5, 2024, the temple was owned and operated by Community of Christ (previously known as The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS)) for over a century. Construction of the Kirtland Temple was a community effort involving significant contributions from church members, including the establishment of a sawmill and an ashery to supply building materials. The temple features unique architectural elements such as adjustable pews and dual pulpits, reflecting its multifunctional use for worship and education. The third floor was used for academic and religious instruction, emphasizing the importance of Hebrew studies to the faith's theological development. The dedication on March 27, 1836, was attended by approximately 1,000 people and included traditional rites such as the Hosanna shout. Reports of visions and spiritual experiences by church leaders, including the restoration of certain priesthood keys through ancient prophets Moses, Elias (believed by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to be a contemporary of Abraham), and Elijah, were documented and later canonized in Section 110 of the Doctrine and Covenants. These keys represented various aspects of religious authority, including the gathering of Israel, the gospel of Abraham, and sealing powers. Not long after the dedication, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery reported seeing Jesus Christ "standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit." Throughout its history, the Kirtland Temple has undergone various ownership changes and legal disputes, ultimately maintaining its status as a place of worship and historical significance within the Latter Day Saint movement. It continues to serve as a historic site, open year-round for guided tours, meetings, and events, attracting visitors from around the world, and around 100,000 visitors annually.

Location

Categories

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

More in Lake County

Historic places, battles, and census history across Lake County.

More historic places in Ohio

Browse all historic places in Ohio.

Conflict records

Explore 19,000+ military engagements across American history.

Ohio history

Colonial settlement, territorial period, and statehood narrative.