The Preston England Temple is the 52nd operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). It is situated in Chorley, 10 miles south of Preston, in Lancashire, England.
This breathtaking structure was designed as a sacred place of worship and spiritual gathering for church members in northern England, Scotland, Ireland, and Northern Ireland.
History of the Preston England Temple
In 1837, the first LDS missionaries arrived in Preston. They established the Preston Ward, the longest continuously functioning church unit worldwide.
Plans were publicly announced in 1992, and the groundbreaking ceremony was held in 1994. After four years of construction, the temple was completed in 1998. A two-week open house in May attracted over 123,000 visitors. The temple dedication followed in 15 sessions from June 7–10, 1998, attended by more than 18,000 Latter-day Saints.
The Preston England Temple holds the distinction of being the sixth temple built in Europe and the second temple in the United Kingdom. The London England Temple in Surrey was completed in 1958.
Architecture and Design
The Preston England Temple is the largest Latter-day Saints temple in Europe. The imposing structure covers a floor area of 69,630 square feet and features a single, prominent spire. Peter Trebilcock of the Building Design Partnership designed the temple.
The building has an elegant facade of light-coloured European granite and a durable zinc roof. The interior has three levels and includes four ordinance rooms and four sealing rooms. A statue of the Angel Moroni adorns the spire, adding a unique characteristic to the overall design.
The complex includes various facilities, including a missionary training centre, a family history facility, a distribution centre, patron housing, and missionary accommodation.
The temple grounds feature mature trees and flower gardens. A pair of reflection pools near the temple entrance enhances its spiritual ambience.
Temple Experience and Visitor Information
While the temple interiors are only open to practising Mormons, the grounds are open to the public. Visitors can stroll around immaculately landscaped gardens and admire the temple’s exterior. It is a wonderful place for photography.
Although just a few hundred yards from a busy motorway, the temple and gardens are remarkably peaceful. We were there for a good hour and didn’t hear a sound, let alone see another human being. With no leaf or blade of grass out of place, the beautifully manicured gardens feel surreal.
Location and Getting There
Despite the name, the Preston England Temple is actually in Chorley, around 11 miles south of Preston. The temple is on Temple Way (postcode PR6 7EQ) next to Junction 8 of the M61 motorway.
The closest train station is Chorley, about 1.5 miles away. Buckshaw Parkway is approximately 2 miles away.
The temple can also be reached by bus. A bus stop on Preston Road (A6) is just a few hundred yards away. Services stopping here include the 125 service from Preston Bus Station to Bolton Bus Station (via Chorley Bus Station).
