News Summary
Jacksonville has approved a $27 million permit for a new 29,000-square-foot temple for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The temple, located at 3325 Loretto Road, will be the fifth in Florida, and construction is set to begin following the permit issued on September 22, 2025. The church has purchased the land and plans to address local residents’ concerns about traffic as the new temple becomes a destination for worshippers.
Jacksonville has recently approved a building permit for a new temple for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with a total project cost of $27 million. The planned temple will cover 29,000 square feet and will be situated on a 6.6-acre site located at 3325 Loretto Road in the Mandarin area. The building permit was issued on September 22, 2025, paving the way for construction to commence on the anticipated religious structure.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints first announced the plans for this temple in October 2022. In preparation for the building of the temple, the church purchased the land for $7.2 million in 2024. With this new construction, Jacksonville will be home to the fifth temple in Florida, joining existing sites located in Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Tallahassee, and another temple that is currently under construction in Tampa.
Florida is home to approximately 173,000 Latter-day Saints, often referred to as Mormons, distributed across more than 270 congregations. The church distinguishes between temples and meetinghouses; while meetinghouses are open to the general public for regular services, temples are sacred spaces reserved for church members who have adequately prepared themselves for temple worship. The temples are considered holy places focused on reverence and communion with God, where significant rituals and ordinances take place.
Despite the enthusiastic announcement regarding the new temple, some local residents have voiced concerns regarding potential traffic issues resulting from the increased activity in the area. A resident suggested that a thorough traffic study may be necessary to assess the impact on local roads as the temple will be a new destination for worshippers. In response to these concerns, Councilman Michael Boylan indicated that the temple’s traffic impact should be minimal, noting that the usage of temples differs from regular church services, which might entail varying levels of attendance and scheduling.
The plans for the Jacksonville temple include detailed interior reference views, and renderings of the structure have been made public. The church emphasizes that the temple will serve as a site for reverent devotion and spiritual commitment, reinforcing its status as a sacred space for worship.
This development marks a significant step forward for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Florida, as it expands its presence and offers more dedicated spaces for worship and community engagement for its members in the state. As construction proceeds, all eyes will be on the Jacksonville temple and the impact it will have on the local congregation and surrounding community.
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Additional Resources
- News4Jax: Jacksonville Approves $27 Million Mormon Church
- Wikipedia: Mormon
- First Coast News: Residents Concerned About Traffic
- Google Search: Jacksonville Mormon Temple
- Jax Daily Record: City Approves Building Permit
- Google Scholar: Mormon Temple Development
- First Coast News: Video on Mormon Temple
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mormon
- Jacksonville.com: Site Plans for the Temple
- Google News: Florida Mormon Temples
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
