Visitor Insights
Visiting Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple
The Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple provides sacred worship facilities for Latter-day Saints holding a valid temple recommend. Prior to its dedication, over 100,000 visitors toured the sanctuary during a public open house in late 2023.
Highlights
- Native Peruvian lilac travertine stone floors quarried in the Andes
- Exquisite art-glass windows depicting the cantuta flower and olive branches
- Meticulously landscaped gardens featuring four mature olive trees
Things to Know
- Temple entry requires a valid temple recommend for ordinance attendance
- Patrons should bring their own temple clothing as rentals are unavailable
- On-site patron and missionary housing is available adjacent to the temple
Location
Av. Eloy Espinoza 680, Urb. Palao - San Martín de Porres, Lima 15102, Peru
Hours: Operating schedule varies by day; ordinances require advance reservation.
Getting There: Located in Palao, San Martín de Porres, accessible via Av. Eloy Espinoza with underground parking available.
Get DirectionsTips for Your Visit
Clothing Requirements
Patrons must bring their own temple attire, though baptistry clothing is provided on-site.
Language Accessibility
Endowment presentations are offered in multiple languages upon request at the recommend desk.
About
The Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple is the second temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints constructed in the metropolitan capital of Lima, Peru. Latter-day Saints view the temple as a holy house of the Lord dedicated to sacred covenants, prayer, and eternal ordinances.
Announced in April 2016, the temple stands in the San Martín de Porres district on the former site of a meetinghouse and institute of religion. Designed in an understated Art Deco style without a spire, the edifice reflects local Peruvian heritage through native travertine stone, intricate carvings of olive branches, and artistic motifs featuring Peru's national flower, the cantuta.
Dedicated on January 14, 2024, by Elder D. Todd Christofferson, the temple serves tens of thousands of faithful Latter-day Saints across northern Lima and surrounding provinces. Its dedication made Lima the first city outside Utah to operate two active temples, highlighting the remarkable growth of the faith in South America.
Interesting Facts
Lima became the third city globally and the first outside Utah to operate two Latter-day Saint temples. (Tier A)
The temple's announcement in 2016 coincided exactly with the 30th anniversary of Lima's first temple dedication. (Tier A)
The structure features a unique spireless design to blend naturally into its semi-urban residential neighborhood. (Tier A)
Four mature olive trees are planted on the grounds, directly referencing the temple's namesake 'Los Olivos'. (Tier A)
Interior stone floors feature solid lilac-hued travertine quarried locally within Peru. (Tier B)
The cantuta flower, national flower of Peru, is hand-sculpted into interior carpets and leaded glass windows. (Tier A)
More than 100,000 visitors, including religious and government leaders, toured the interior during the open house. (Tier A)
The site formerly housed a busy institute of religion building and ward meetinghouse before demolition. (Tier A)
Common Questions
Why does the Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple lack a central spire?
The architects deliberately omitted a central spire to ensure the temple harmoniously integrated with the surrounding residential neighborhood.
Can members of the public visit the temple grounds?
Yes, visitors of all faiths are welcome to walk through the landscaped gardens and view the temple exterior.
What local materials were used in the interior decoration?
The interior features native Peruvian lilac travertine floor tiles and decorative motifs of the cantuta flower.
Are accommodation and clothing rental facilities available on-site?
On-site patron housing and a distribution center are available, though patrons must bring their own temple clothing.
Featured Stories
A Second House of the Lord for Lima
April 3, 2016
When President Thomas S. Monson announced a second temple for Lima in 2016, local Latter-day Saints wept with joy. Exactly thirty years after the dedication of Peru's first temple, membership had grown to over half a million faithful Saints. The announcement highlighted South America's remarkable spiritual momentum and reinforced Lima's central place in church history.
Source: The Church News
Elder Christofferson's Deep Ties to Peru
January 14, 2024
The dedication of the Los Olivos temple carried intense personal significance for Elder D. Todd Christofferson, who presided over the dedication. Years earlier in 2013, Elder Christofferson had traveled to Peru to organize the country's 100th stake. Returning to dedicate Lima's second temple represented a crowning moment in his decades of apostolic ministry across Latin America.
Source: Church Newsroom
Transforming the Palao Meetinghouse Site
2019
For decades, the property in San Martín de Porres served young adults as the Lima North Institute of Religion. In early 2019, church leaders gathered one final time before the facility was demolished to make room for the temple complex. Local members transformed fond memories of youth activities into anticipation for eternal family ordinances on the exact same ground.
Source: LDS Living
Timeline
Temple Announced
President Thomas S. Monson announces the construction of Lima's second temple during General Conference.
MilestoneSite Visit
President Russell M. Nelson inspects the designated temple site in San Martín de Porres.
EventSite Demolition Begins
The Lima North Institute and meetinghouse close permanently to make way for temple construction.
EventRendering Released
The official architectural rendering showing a spireless Art Deco structure is made public.
MilestoneGroundbreaking Ceremony
Elder Enrique R. Falabella presides over the ceremonial groundbreaking service.
component.timeline.groundbreakingMedia Day
Journalists and civic leaders tour the completed temple complex during a special media preview.
EventPublic Open House Begins
The temple opens its doors to the public, welcoming over 100,000 guests over four weeks.
EventDedication
Elder D. Todd Christofferson dedicates the Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple in two sacred sessions.
DedicationHistory by Decade
2010s — Announcement and Site Preparation
On April 3, 2016, President Thomas S. Monson announced plans for the Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple during General Conference. The announcement responded to extraordinary growth across Peru's 100-plus stakes. In early 2019, the existing Lima North Institute of Religion and ward meetinghouse were demolished, and official groundbreaking took place on June 8, 2019.
2020s — Construction and Sacred Dedication
Despite global challenges, construction progressed on the 47,413-square-foot precast white granite edifice. Following a public open house attended by more than 100,000 visitors in late 2023, Elder D. Todd Christofferson dedicated the temple on January 14, 2024. The milestone established Lima as the first international city with two operating Latter-day Saint temples.
Architecture & Facilities
The Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple exhibits a refined Art Deco architectural design adapted to harmonize with its semi-urban surroundings in Lima. Constructed with a precast concrete structure clad in brilliant white granite, the exterior features subtle abstract motifs reminiscent of traditional woven textiles and harvest baskets carved directly into stone.
Building Materials
Exterior Cladding
White granite slabs set against precast concrete, carved with abstract textile motifs.
Interior Flooring
Solid Peruvian travertine displaying lilac and pinto-brown nuances quarried locally in Peru.
Woodwork & Doors
Stained cherry wood featuring simple lines and panels matching exterior stone carving patterns.
Art Glass Windows
Leaded art glass incorporating stylized cantuta flowers and leafy olive branch imagery.
Interior Features
Celestial Room
A serene space illuminated by natural light filtered through the central flat-roofed tower.
Baptistry
A sacred baptistry featuring an ornate font resting on twelve sculpted oxen.
Endowment Ordinance Rooms
Instruction rooms equipped with multi-language audio systems and hand-sculpted carpets.
Sealing Rooms
Sacred marriage rooms decorated with custom cherry woodwork and delicate floral motifs.
Temple Grounds
The 2.46-acre site features a terraced four-level entrance plaza with staircases, two-toned stone pavers, and lush planter boxes. The surrounding gardens feature four mature olive trees, palm trees, succulents, and vibrant cantuta floral displays.
Additional Facilities
The temple complex includes an underground parking structure, missionary housing, and patron housing facilities.
Religious Significance
Within Latter-day Saint theology, the Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple is a holy sanctuary where members enter into sacred covenants with Jesus Christ. Unlike weekly Sunday meetinghouses, the temple is dedicated exclusively to divine ordinances that unite families eternally and deepen personal discipleship.
To serve as a house of the Lord where sacred covenants, priesthood ordinances, and eternal sealings are solemnized.
Sacred Ordinances
Baptism for the Dead
Vicarious Christian baptism performed by proxy for deceased ancestors.
Temple Endowment
A sacred presentation of gospel instruction, covenant-making, and divine promises.
Eternal Marriage Sealing
Holy matrimony uniting husbands, wives, and families for time and all eternity.
Olive Tree Symbolism in Sacred Scripture
The prominence of olive motifs throughout the temple reflects biblical symbols of the Holy Spirit, divine grace, peace, and the allegory of the olive tree found in sacred scripture.
Sources & Research
Every fact on Temples.org is backed by verified Sources & Research. Each piece of information is rated by source tier and confidence level.
View All Sources (3)
| Field | Source | Tier | Retrieved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor Insights & Practical Information | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (opens in a new tab) | A | 2026-02-18 |
| Quick Facts & Architecture | ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org (opens in a new tab) | C | 2026-02-18 |
| Symbolic Elements & Design | LDS Living (opens in a new tab) | B | 2026-02-18 |