October 13, 2025, 4:00 PM MDT
The open house phase is underway at the Bahia Blanca Argentina Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The public is invited to visit this Lord’s House from October 16th to November 1st, excluding Sundays. Tours begin with Media Day on Monday, October 13th, followed by invited guest tours on October 14th and 15th.
Three church leaders guided media representatives, government officials and religious leaders through the temple on the first day of the tour. Elder Matthias Held, General Authority Seventy. and Sister Andrea Muñoz Spanaus, second counselor in the Young Women general presidency.
All three have roots in South America. Elder Costa and Sister Spanaus were born in Argentina, and Elder Held was born in Colombia.
According to an Oct. 13 news release from ChurchofJesusChrist.org, Elder Costa said those who visit the Bahia Blanca Temple “will feel peace and be strengthened in the face of the hardships around them.”
Elder Held emphasized that “temples are unique places where people can strengthen their faith and family ties,” and urged attendees to allow temples to speak to people’s hearts.
Sister Spanaus gave a message of peace and hope, saying, “In the midst of life’s difficult moments, the temple is a refuge where we can feel the peace that comes from God.”
During Media Day, Bahia Blanca Mayor Federico Susubierres expressed his gratitude for the new temple in his city. “The most important thing about the temple is the peace you feel within it and the message of hope it conveys,” he said.
As previously announced, Elder Ulises Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will dedicate the temple on Sunday, November 23.
The Church published photos of the interior and exterior of the Bahia Blanca Temple in Argentina on ChurchofJesusChrist.org in conjunction with Monday’s media day.
After its dedication, the Bahia Blanca Temple will become the fifth House of the Lord in Argentina and the Church’s 211th operating temple. It was the southernmost point in South America until the construction of the Puerto Montt Temple in Chile.
Design and function
The approximately 23,400-square-foot one-story Bahia Blanca Temple is constructed of concrete and structural steel and clad in Portuguese Moreanos limestone. The building draws inspiration from other religious and historic architectural designs in the area, including a carved stone exterior and gray Mara granite base that draws inspiration from the city’s historic main square.
The art glass windows depict Jalila flowers, which are native to the area, and incorporate the geometric patterns found in design motifs throughout the temple. Several paintings depict the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, as well as magnificent landscapes.
Mahogany wood is used for the paneling, doors, and moldings throughout the temple, with decorative bronze fittings. Flooring features Crema Marfil marble and Senia Beige stone, and colorful custom rugs adorn the entryway, bridal room, and celestial room.
Around the temple, a variety of trees, shrubs, and perennials native to Argentina adorn the gardens. A two-story auxiliary building also sits on the eight-acre site and serves as the temple’s arrival center and residence for temple leaders.
This temple and church in Argentina
The late Church President Russell M. Nelson announced on April 5, 2020 that he would build the Lord’s house in Bahia Blanca, Argentina. It was one of eight temple locations he identified in April 2020 general conference.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the Bahia Blanca Temple was held on April 9, 2022, presided over by Elder Costa, then second counselor in the South America South Area Presidency. He thanked government authorities, saying, “We are grateful for their generosity and generosity in hosting missionaries, allowing construction, and providing a safe environment for the restored Church of Jesus Christ to grow.”
Argentina currently has four dedicated temples: Buenos Aires (consecrated in 1986), Cordoba (2015), Salta (2024), and Mendoza (2024). Two Houses of the Lord are planned for the country, with a second house in Buenos Aires to be announced in 2022 and another in Rosario in 2024.
The first branch in Argentina, the Riniere branch, was established in December 1925. That same month, Elder Melvin J. Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated South America to the evangelization.
Today, nearly 100 years later, Argentina is home to more than 490,000 Latter-day Saints in more than 730 congregations.
Bahia Blanca temple in Argentina
Address: Avenida Alberto Pedro Cabrera and Luis Vera Road, Bahia Blanca, Argentina
Announcement: April 5, 2020, President Russell M. Nelson
Groundbreaking ceremony: April 9, 2022, presided over by Elder Joaquin E. Costa of the General Authority Seventy.
Open to the public: October 16 to November 1, 2025, except Sundays.
Dedication date: November 23, 2025 Elder Ulises Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Site area: 8 acres
Building size: 23,400 square feet
Building height: 98.4 feet
