Visitor Insights
Visiting Feather River California Temple
The Feather River California Temple is a sacred space reserved for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who hold a current temple recommend. While the interior is not open for public tours after dedication, the beautifully landscaped grounds are open to all visitors.
Highlights
- Enjoy the serene temple grounds and gardens.
- Visit the on-site distribution center for Church materials.
Things to Know
- The temple is not used for regular Sunday worship services.
- Interior access is restricted to temple recommend holders.
Location
1470 Butte House Road, Yuba City, California 95993, United States
Hours: Grounds open daily from dawn to dusk.
Getting There: Located at 1470 Butte House Road in Yuba City, accessible by car with ample parking available.
Get DirectionsTips for Your Visit
Explore the Gardens
Take time to walk through the meticulously landscaped grounds, featuring native trees and olive groves.
Learn About the Area
Observe the almond blossom and rice plant motifs, reflecting the region's agricultural heritage.
About
The Feather River California Temple stands as a sacred edifice for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a Christian faith. Dedicated to the performance of sacred ordinances and the making of eternal covenants, the temple's design and purpose reflect both universal Christian principles and the unique doctrines of Latter-day Saints.
Dedicated on October 8, 2023, by Elder Ulisses Soares, it serves Latter-day Saints in central California. Its architecture, inspired by neo-Byzantine styles and local flora, creates a beautiful and reverent space for worship. The temple grounds offer a peaceful environment for all visitors.
Interesting Facts
The Feather River California Temple is the 184th dedicated temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worldwide (Tier A).
It is the eighth temple built in California, serving a growing Latter-day Saint population (Tier A).
The temple stands on the former site of the Yuba City California Stake Center, which had served the community for over four decades (Tier A).
The land was originally a peach farm owned by Mehar Tumber, a Sikh farmer who happily sold it to the Church in the 1970s (Tier A).
The name 'Feather River' was officially given in June 2019, referencing the river two miles east of the site (Tier C).
Over 55,000 individuals visited the temple during its public open house period (Tier C).
Materials from the former stake center were donated to various local churches, schools, and charities before demolition (Tier A).
President Russell M. Nelson's visit to wildfire victims in 2019 helped him understand the divine inspiration for building the temple (Tier A).
The groundbreaking ceremony in July 2020 was held with limited attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic (Tier C).
The interior design prominently features the almond blossom, symbolizing the region's agricultural heritage and hard work (Tier B).
Common Questions
What is the purpose of the Feather River California Temple?
The temple is a sacred house of the Lord where members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints make covenants and perform eternal ordinances.
Can the public visit the Feather River California Temple?
While the temple interior is reserved for members, the beautiful grounds and gardens are open to the public for quiet contemplation.
What architectural style defines the temple?
The temple features a neo-Byzantine architectural style, blending traditional Latter-day Saint design with local cultural heritage.
Are there any facilities for visitors on site?
Yes, the temple grounds include a distribution center for Church materials and peaceful walkways for public enjoyment.
How many temples are in California?
The Feather River California Temple is the eighth operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in California.
Featured Stories
A Temple Born from Revelation and Compassion
October 7, 2018
President Russell M. Nelson announced the Feather River California Temple, a decision he later attributed to a divine impression following a visit to wildfire victims in the area. His compassion for the suffering Saints helped him understand the revelation for a temple in Yuba City, bringing solace and hope to the community.
Source: Church News
Groundbreaking Amidst Global Challenges
July 18, 2020
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Feather River California Temple took place during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Elder Paul H. Watkins presided over a limited attendance event, symbolizing faith and progress even in times of global uncertainty, and marking the beginning of construction for this sacred edifice.
Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
A Legacy of Generosity and Community
May 2020
Before construction began, materials from the former Yuba City California Stake Center were thoughtfully donated to various local faith and charity organizations. This act of generosity, including cabinets, doors, and even the gymnasium floor, exemplified the Church's commitment to community and stewardship, ensuring resources continued to bless others.
Source: LDS Living
Timeline
Temple Announced
President Russell M. Nelson announced the intent to build the Feather River California Temple during general conference.
component.timeline.announcementPresident Nelson's Visit
President Russell M. Nelson visited wildfire victims in the area, which he later said helped him understand the revelation for a temple in Yuba City.
EventTemple Named
The temple officially received its name, 'Feather River,' after the nearby river.
MilestoneSite and Rendering Announced
The official location at 1470 Butte House Road and an exterior rendering were released.
MilestoneMaterials Donated
Materials from the demolished Yuba City California Stake Center were donated to local organizations.
EventGroundbreaking Ceremony
Elder Paul H. Watkins presided over the groundbreaking, with limited attendance due to COVID-19.
component.timeline.groundbreakingOpen House and Dedication Dates Announced
The First Presidency announced the dates for the public open house and dedication ceremonies.
component.timeline.announcementPublic Open House Begins
The public open house commenced, allowing visitors to tour the temple's interior.
EventPublic Open House Concludes
The public open house period ended, having welcomed over 55,000 visitors.
EventTemple Dedicated
Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the Feather River California Temple in two sessions.
DedicationHistory by Decade
2010s โ Announcement and Site Selection
The Feather River California Temple was announced by President Russell M. Nelson on October 7, 2018, bringing joy to over 760,000 Church members in California. Following devastating wildfires, President Nelson's visit to the area in January 2019 deepened his understanding of the revelation to build a temple in Yuba City. The temple was officially named 'Feather River' in June 2019, and its site at 1470 Butte House Road, the former location of a stake center, was announced in September 2019.
2020s โ Construction and Dedication
Construction commenced with a groundbreaking ceremony on July 18, 2020, presided over by Elder Paul H. Watkins, albeit with limited attendance due to COVID-19. Prior to construction, materials from the demolished stake center were donated to local charities. A public open house was held from August 19 to September 9, 2023, welcoming over 55,000 visitors. The temple was dedicated on October 8, 2023, by Elder Ulisses Soares, becoming the 184th operating temple worldwide.
Architecture & Facilities
The Feather River California Temple features a neo-Byzantine architectural style, harmoniously integrated with traditional Latter-day Saint temple design, reflecting both the cultural heritage of the Yuba City region and the spiritual significance of the temple. This approach combines classical elements with modern interpretations, creating a distinctive and reverent structure.
Building Materials
Exterior
The exterior is constructed with structural steel and cream precast concrete panels, providing durability and a light, inviting aesthetic.
Art Glass
Exterior art glass, designed by Richardson Design Partnership with Holdman Studios, features a regionally significant almond blossom motif.
Flooring
Interior flooring includes Crema Beige, Emperador Light, Inca Gold, Verde Lichen, Rojo Alicante, and Vanilla marble, chosen to complement fabrics and local flora.
Woodwork
Cherry wood, a significant agricultural product of the area, was used for the doors, reflecting local craftsmanship and warmth.
Interior Features
Ordinance Spaces
These spaces feature millwork with a modified quatrefoil pattern and vaulted ceilings, reminiscent of early Christian architecture.
Bride's Room
The bride's room incorporates a leaf pattern derived from early Christian representations of the olive branch, symbolizing peace.
Baptistry
The baptistry font railing features a reed-and-ribbon motif, abstracting local water-edge reeds and rice plants.
Carpet Patterns
Carpet patterns draw from early Christian architecture and designs inspired by almond blossoms, California poppies, and other local wildflowers.
Temple Grounds
The 9.24-acre temple grounds are meticulously landscaped, inspired by the Mediterranean climate of the Sacramento Valley and the area's rich biodiversity. They incorporate mature native oak, redwood, and hackberry trees, as well as 100-year-old olive trees transplanted from a local orchard. The grounds are enclosed by a six-foot-tall steel picket fence, powder-coated in a bronze color, creating a peaceful and secure environment.
Additional Facilities
A new meetinghouse and a distribution center are also located on the temple site, serving the needs of local Church members and visitors.
Religious Significance
As a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Feather River California Temple is a sacred space dedicated to the performance of eternal ordinances and the making of sacred covenants. As a Christian faith, it serves as a house of the Lord where members can draw closer to Jesus Christ and participate in sacred covenants.
The core spiritual purpose of the temple is to provide a place for members to make and renew sacred covenants with God, receive divine instruction, and perform saving ordinances for themselves and their ancestors.
Sacred Ordinances
Baptism for the Dead
Vicarious baptisms are performed for deceased ancestors who did not have the opportunity to accept the gospel in life, offering them the choice to accept these blessings.
Endowment
The endowment is a series of instructions and covenants that provide members with greater knowledge of God's plan and empower them to live a more consecrated life.
Sealing
Temple sealings unite families eternally, allowing husbands and wives, and parents and children, to be bound together beyond mortal life through sacred covenants.
Eternal Families
A central doctrine taught in the temple is the eternal nature of families. Through temple ordinances, families can be sealed together forever, providing hope and comfort beyond the grave.
Covenants and Blessings
Members enter into sacred covenants with God in the temple, promising to live righteously and follow His commandments. In return, they receive divine blessings, power, and guidance in their lives.
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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 (6)
| Field | Source | Tier | Retrieved |
|---|---|---|---|
| About & Historical Background | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (opens in a new tab) | A | 2024-05-15 |
| Announcement & Dedication | Church News (opens in a new tab) | B | 2024-05-15 |
| General Temple Data | ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org (opens in a new tab) | C | 2024-05-15 |
| Symbolic Elements & Interior Design | LDS Living (opens in a new tab) | B | 2024-05-15 |
| Construction & Materials | Willis Construction (opens in a new tab) | D | 2024-05-15 |
| Landscape & Site Planning | Brough Made (opens in a new tab) | C | 2024-05-15 |