I went down to Hamilton yesterday to visit my mother in hospital, and decided to check out this Mormon Temple while I was down there. This is the view from when you first pull into the car-park. There is a Visitors’ Centre to the left as soon as you enter and is open to the public Sunday through Friday from 11am-9pm, and on Saturday from 9am-9pm. Visitors are welcome in the Visitors’ Centre and to inspect the temple grounds and site but only church members are permitted to enter the temple.

Situated in Temple View, in the rural outskirts of Hamilton, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Hamilton New Zealand Temple was dedicated in 1958 and was the first constructed in the southern hemisphere. The well attended Temple Christmas Lights display is held annually from December 13-31, with more than 150,000 Christmas lights turned on each evening at 9:15pm.

The temple is 44,212 square feet, has one ordinance room, five sealing rooms, and a baptistery. The spire rises to a height of 157 feet. It was built entirely by church labour missionaries who volunteered all of their time. Local members supported these workers with money, food, and accommodation.

Church services aren’t actually performed here though, they also have a church a few hundred metres down the road which they use for services and weddings. When I walked inside the Visitors’ Centre, one of the men offered me a guided tour of the small centre, little did I know that he was going to tell me almost every detail about the Mormon religion, lol. Was a nice place though, and a recommended stop off if you’re ever in Hamilton.

Thanks for viewing.