The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints has opened a temple in Cranberry Township.
This is only the 196th temple across the globe, and only second in Pennsylvania after Philadelphia.
The Prophet of the Church Russell Nelson chose Pittsburgh as a location in April of 2020 and according to officials with the church Covid did not delay the building of the church.
Super Bowl Champion, former Pittsburgh Steeler, and now Latter Day Saints Stake President Chris Hoke, who oversees eight congregations in Western Pennsylvania, has been looking forward to this day to share it with friends and family.
“I know that my friends and those who I associate with in this area will have an opportunity to go into the area and feel what we all experienced today,” Hoke said. “And be able to better understand what takes place in these beautiful, sacred buildings around the world.”
The building itself features several places for religious sacrament. Including a baptism pool for ancestors that have passed (a common practice in the church), a sealing room for marriage ceremonies, and a Celestial Room. The Celestial Room remains completely silent and it intends to represent a “glimpse into heaven.”
The Temple will begin hosting open houses to the public starting August 16 to 31. On September 15th there will be a dedication ceremony and it will then be closed to the public.
