Spokane Washington Temple |
59th operating temple |
Phone Number: 509-926-2824.
Site: 2 acres.
Exterior Finish: Granite.
Temple Design: Classic modern, single-spire design.
Number of Rooms: Two ordinance rooms and two sealing.
Total Floor Area: 10,700 square feet.
Groundbreaking and Site Dedication: 10 October 1998 by F. Melvin Hammond
Public Open House: 6–14 August 1999
Dedication: 21–23 August 1999 by Gordon B. Hinckley
Rush Hashid, an LDS truck driver from Albuquerque, New Mexico, transported the statue of the angel Moroni, the oxen, and baptismal font to the temple site in April 1999. He had not been aware, however, of the nature of his cargo until he arrived. Temple historian Mark Bickley, records: "Brother Hashie was so overcome with emotion when he learned what his cargo was that he went to the grove of trees just east of the temple and cried."1
The landscaping company charged with laying the sod for the temple had yet to accomplish the task when the open house was just days away. Dale Reese, building project manager for the temple, and other members rolled the grass out themselves and were disappointed with its lifeless appearance. With a little prayer and water, however, conditions changed dramatically. "That grass looks like it's been there for five years," Reese said. "You don't even see any seam lines in it."2
1. Julie Dockstader, "Amid rays of sunshine, 59th temple dedicated," Church News 28 Aug. 1999: 3.
2. Dockstader 3.
