Provo City Center Temple Downtown Provo Utah

I live in the vibrant city of Provo, and I am constantly in awe of the city’s historic character and stunning landmarks. 

Among these is the iconic Provo City Center Temple in Downtown Provo. 

The temple stands as a true symbol of my faith and devotion in the heart of the city. With its elegant architecture and serene surroundings, the Provo City Center Temple is one attraction you should visit in Downtown Provo, Utah.

The Design and Architecture of the Provo City Temple

The Provo City Center LDS Temple is my favorite Temple. Walking downtown, I can’t help but marvel at the beauty of the temple. It stands out in the midst of eateries and boutique shops. The stunning background of majestic mountains fills me with awe. 

As I approach the temple grounds, I am instantly filled with a sense of serenity and peace. 

I am struck by the beauty of the gardens that surround the Temple. The grounds are filled with blooming flowers and lush greenery. Walking among the blossoming plants and trees felt like a true oasis in the midst of downtown Provo. 

The grounds are well-maintained and there is a grass park with pathways in front of the Temple. It’s perfect for a walk or just to relax and enjoy the view. The park is part of the Temple grounds, but you don’t need a Temple recommend enjoying the park. In fact, anyone can come and enjoy the park. Even if you’re not a member of the church, it’s still a nice place to spend an afternoon. 

The grass is soft and inviting, and the sun shining down makes it the perfect place to relax. Bring your picnic blanket and your lunch to enjoy an afternoon basking in the sunshine and peace the Temple affords. 

There’s something about spending time near a Temple that just feels peaceful and calming, and I always feel refreshed after spending some time here.

The statue of a mother, father, and child seemed to be watching over the entire park from its central location, reminding me of the importance of family. 

The grounds are protected with a gate which extends around the perimeter of the Temple grounds. 

The wedding reception area is pretty. It is fun to be walking by as families and friends gather in the circular reception area waiting to enter the Temple for the couple’s sealing.

The surrounding areas and buildings are mostly historic, with the exception of the large NuSkin building right next door to the Temple. NuSkin allows patrons of the Temple to use their parking lot. This will make your visit even more convenient and hassle-free. 

Parking can be a little tricky in downtown areas. 

Luckily, the Temple has underground parking available. There is no charge to park in the Temple parking lots, garage, or street parking, which is really nice. Just make sure you read the signs for street parking. Most of them are limited to 2 hours of parking.

Provo City Center Temple Construction

The building prior to becoming a Temple was the Historic Provo Tabernacle. The tabernacle was listed in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

This beautiful building has been an important part of Provo for many years, and its transformation would bring even more beauty and meaning to the city. 

The Provo Tabernacle burned down in a tragic and devastating fire back on December 17, 2010, after standing strong and unharmed for over 125 years.  

I haven’t been inside the Tabernacle before it burned down, but from the pictures and stories I’d heard, I knew it was truly something special. 

Despite this terrible event, the people of Provo were determined to rebuild and create something even greater in its place.

Provo City Center Temple Renovation

President Thomas Monson, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, announced that the historic tabernacle would be rebuilt as a temple. He made the announcement during the October 2011 General Conference on October 1, 2011.

While it's sad to hear the news about the fire, it was thrilling to hear President Monson announce it would become a Temple. Having a second temple in Provo, Utah is such as wonderful blessing, and I know this temple would be a powerful symbol of faith and community for generations to come. 

It took many years, but eventually the beautiful new Provo City Center Temple rose up from the ashes of the old tabernacle. 

What a beautiful site for a Temple, with Captain Moroni and his trumpet rising high above downtown Provo. 

Scroll down further to learn about the history of the Provo Tabernacle.

What to Expect When Visiting the Provo City Center Temple

One of the things I love best about the Provo City Center Temple is how the Church decided to keep the historic look and feel of the building. It is not the typical white Temple you see. 

The old look and feel, with all its intricate details on the exterior, is stunning and matches so well with the other historic buildings in Downtown Provo. 

In this article, I am the photographer who took all the photos and different angles. 

Before I moved back to Provo Utah, my daughter was living in Vineyard. I spent my summers with her and her children. One of the first things I did was to go to my first session at the Provo City Center Temple after it was turned into a temple. 

As I walked through the beautiful Provo City Center Temple, I was struck by the sense of history that extend through every corner of the space. Walking through its elegant halls, I felt as though I was transported back in time. 

The old-world charm and classic architecture were truly awe-inspiring. The floors, walls, ceilings all reminded were filled with historic details of days gone by.

Despite my busy modern life, I felt relaxed and at ease as I explored this historic treasure in downtown Provo. 

When you move from room to room during a session, you climb circular stairs just as the kind they had back in the late 1800s. 

If you need help or can’t climb stairs, there is an elevator. 

Another thing I noticed which was different from many other Temples I have been in, was that there are many BYU University students volunteering as Temple hosts, helpers, workers.

It was refreshing to see the smiling faces of young people in their 20s. 

Most Temples I go to have retired men and women as the Temple volunteers. 

It was inspiring to see so many young people devoting their time and energy to serving others ins such a sacred place. 

How to go to Provo City Center Temple

The Provo City Center Temple is located at 50 S University Ave, Provo, UT 84601, USA. 

What time is Provo City Center Temple open?

The Provo City Center Temple is open on:

How to Make an Appointment

Post COVID, you no longer need to make reservations to attend Temple sessions however, I advise you to make a reservation because the sessions get full quickly. 

With a reservation, you can save your spot in a session, sealings or initiatories. You always need a reservation for your own endowments and sealing. 

Here is the link to make an appointment online for the Provo City Center Temple: 

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/details/provo-city-center-temple?lang=eng

Provo City Center Temple Phone Number

You can contact Provo City Center Temple in Downtown Provo at 801-343-2700.

Provo City Temple History

First Provo Tabernacle

The first Provo Tabernacle was an important landmark in the history of Provo, Utah. Built in 1861, it was a small building that stood on the same block as the current temple. 

It stood just north of where the current temple now stands. Despite its modest size, this early tabernacle served an important role in the religious and social life of early Provo. 

Dedicated on August 24, 1867, it was used for services as well as gatherings and other community events. Over time, however, as the city grew and expanded around it, it became clear that a larger space would be needed to serve the needs of Provo’s growing population. 

The First Provo Tabernacle was razed in 1919.

Provo Tabernacle

The Provo Tabernacle is a historic treasure of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints having served as an important gathering place for Church members and visitors. Located in Provo, Utah, this impressive building was constructed between 1883 and 1898 at a cost of $100,000. 

Over the years, the Provo Tabernacle has been used for a variety of purposes. It has hosted Church meetings and conferences, as well as cultural events such as Handel’s Messiah each year at Christmastime. 

It has also served as an important space for presidential visits, including one by President William H. Taft in 1909. The tabernacle was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1975. 

Over the years, it underwent several renovations to keep up with changing times and changing needs, but still managed to retain its much-loved architectural character. 

In 1986, President Thomas S. Monsoon rededicated the Provo Tabernacle following a major renovation effort. The building continued to be used for various community events and gatherings until 2010, when a devastating fire destroyed much of the historic structure.

Post-Fire Developments

After surviving the devastating fire in 2010, the structure was preserved and restored. 

Over the course of several months, the Church worked to stabilize and documented the surviving portions of the tabernacle. This intensive process involved teams from multiple Church departments, as well as outside consultants who were brought in to help with the preservation efforts. 

Through careful research into the history and design of the building, as well as careful analysis of the debris left behind after the fire, the team was able to piece together a detailed picture of this important historic landmark. 

The Provo City Center Temple was built to replace the original tabernacle. It retained many of the original historical features and architectural elements from the old tabernacle. 

The temple remains a well-loved landmark in downtown Provo, serving as a place of worship for members of the local community.

Other places to visit in or near Provo

Homestead Crater in Utah

Evermore Park in Pleasant Grove (Near Provo, Utah)