News Summary
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced plans for a new temple in Jacksonville’s Mandarin area, the first for the city. The temple will cost $27 million and span nearly 29,000 square feet. The project is currently undergoing permit review, with additional development to include a 20-lot subdivision. This temple will be the fifth in Florida, serving the growing Latter-day Saints community in the state.
Jacksonville, Florida – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is set to construct a new temple in the Mandarin area, marking the first of its kind for Jacksonville. This $27 million project will span nearly 29,000 square feet on a 6.6-acre site located at 3323 Loretto Road. A building permit for the temple was submitted on July 2, 2025, and is currently under review, with zoning, landscaping, and concurrency assessments expected to finalize by July 14, 2025.
In addition to the main temple, the development plan also includes a second phase which features a 20-lot subdivision. The land for the temple was purchased by the Church in 2024 for $7.2 million. Upon completion, this temple will be the fifth Latter-day Saints temple in the state of Florida, joining the existing ones in Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Tallahassee, and the upcoming temple in Tampa.
This significant announcement comes after President Russell M. Nelson introduced the initiative for the Jacksonville temple in October 2022. Renderings showcasing the temple’s design were first released in December 2023, illustrating a facility that will include a basement, a main level, and a mechanical mezzanine.
There are approximately 173,000 Latter-day Saints residing in Florida, represented by over 270 congregations. Temples hold a distinct role within the Latter-day Saints faith, serving as sacred spaces reserved for specific religious ceremonies and teachings. Unlike conventional churches, which are used for public worship services, these temples are designated for “faithful” members only after their dedication.
While a groundbreaking date for the Jacksonville temple has not yet been established, the Church currently has 55 temples under construction worldwide and an additional 110 in various planning stages. Presently, there are a total of 367 temples existing globally. The first congregation of Latter-day Saints was established in Florida in 1897, with the arrival of missionaries dating back to 1845.
The establishment of this new temple in Jacksonville signifies both the growth and the evolving demands of the Latter-day Saints community in Florida. As the congregation expands, the church aims to foster a space that offers spiritual and community services tailored specifically for its members’ needs.
The new temple is anticipated to bring a positive impact on the local community, enhancing the cultural and spiritual landscape of Jacksonville while serving as a beacon for Latter-day Saints in the region.
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Additional Resources
- News4Jax: Mormon Church Submits Permit for Jacksonville Temple
- Wikipedia: Mormon Church
- First Coast News: Jacksonville Mormon Temple Construction Update
- Google Search: Jacksonville Mormon Temple
- Jacksonville.com: Latter-day Saints Announce Site Plans
- Google Scholar: Mormon Temple Construction
- WOKV: Latter-day Saints Building First Temple in Jacksonville
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mormon Temple
- Deseret News: Latter-day Saints Temples Under Construction
- Google News: Latter-day Saints Florida
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
JACKSONVILLE STAFF 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.
