Visitor Insights
Visiting Medford Oregon Temple
The Medford Oregon Temple is a sacred space for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While not open for public tours after its dedication, its serene grounds are welcoming to all.
Highlights
- Experience a peaceful atmosphere on the temple grounds.
- Learn about the temple's purpose through external displays.
Things to Know
- Entry into the temple is restricted to faithful members after dedication.
- Check the official Church website for current operating hours and closure dates.
Location
3900 Grant Rd, Central Point, Oregon 97502-3911, United States
Hours: Generally open Tuesday through Saturday; closed Sundays and Mondays.
Getting There: Located in Central Point, Oregon, accessible by car with on-site parking available.
Get DirectionsTips for Your Visit
Explore the Grounds
Walk the beautifully maintained grounds to enjoy the peaceful ambiance and architectural beauty.
Visit the Distribution Center
A distribution center is located on-site, offering temple garments and Church materials.
About
The Medford Oregon Temple is the 79th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving members across southern Oregon and northern California. Its dedication in 2000 marked a significant milestone for the region, providing a closer sacred space for worship and covenant-making.
This temple stands as a beacon of faith, reflecting the Church's commitment to bringing sacred ordinances closer to its global membership. Its classic modern design and serene grounds offer a peaceful environment for spiritual reflection and devotion.
Gallery
Symbolic Elements
The temple's exterior features intricate carvings, each rich with spiritual meaning:
Angel Moroni Statue
Perched atop the spire, the gold-leafed Angel Moroni symbolizes the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth.
White Clothing
Inside the temple, patrons wear white clothing, symbolizing purity, equality, and spiritual cleansing before God.
Instruction Rooms
These rooms facilitate sacred teachings and covenants, deepening members' understanding of God's plan and their relationship with Him.
Sealing Rooms
In these rooms, eternal marriages and family relationships are solemnized, uniting families for time and all eternity.
Baptistry
The baptistry is used for baptisms for the dead, a vicarious ordinance for ancestors who did not have the opportunity to be baptized.
Gray Granite Exterior
The temple's exterior is constructed with durable gray granite from Mount Airy, North Carolina, signifying strength and permanence.
Single Spire
The temple's single attached spire reaches heavenward, symbolizing a connection between earth and the divine.
Manicured Grounds
The beautifully landscaped grounds provide a serene and contemplative environment, inviting peace and spiritual reflection.
Interesting Facts
The Medford Oregon Temple was the 79th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worldwide.
It was the second temple built in Oregon, following the Portland Oregon Temple dedicated in 1989.
The temple is strategically located midway between the Oakland California and Portland Oregon temples, enhancing accessibility for members.
During its public open house, nearly 46,000 people toured the temple, significantly exceeding initial expectations.
The general contractor noted that all 225 workers on the project felt a spiritual influence during construction.
The exterior granite was quarried from Mount Airy, North Carolina, a common source for temple construction materials.
The temple serves members from five stakes in Southern Oregon and the Redwood Coast California area.
In 2021, the temple underwent a minor renovation during which the Angel Moroni statue was replaced.
President James E. Faust's dedicatory prayer included a special blessing for the youth of the Church.
Its modest size reflects the Church's late 1990s initiative to build smaller, more numerous temples globally.
Common Questions
What is the purpose of the Medford Oregon Temple?
The temple provides a sacred space for Latter-day Saints to make covenants with God and participate in saving ordinances.
Can non-members enter the temple?
After its dedication, entry is restricted to faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Are there any visitor facilities available?
While there is no public visitors' center, a distribution center is located on-site for Church materials.
What is the significance of the Angel Moroni statue?
The Angel Moroni symbolizes the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth in the latter days.
When was the temple dedicated?
The Medford Oregon Temple was dedicated on April 16, 2000, by President James E. Faust.
Featured Stories
A Dedication for the Region
April 16, 2000
President James E. Faust dedicated the Medford Oregon Temple in four sessions, attended by over 8,000 members. His dedicatory prayer included a special blessing for the youth, asking for their protection from worldly temptations.
Source: The Church News
Overwhelming Public Interest
March 2000
The public open house for the Medford Oregon Temple attracted nearly 46,000 visitors, significantly exceeding expectations. Many non-members reported feeling a 'sweet feeling' and a 'sense that it was a very spiritual place' during their tours.
Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Spiritual Influence on Construction
1999-2000
Corey Vitas, the general contractor, noted that all 225 workers on the temple project felt a spiritual influence. One non-member concrete contractor even redid a curb because he felt it 'wasn't perfect,' reflecting the sacred nature of the work.
Source: The Church News
Timeline
Temple Announced
The First Presidency announced plans to construct a temple in Medford, Oregon, the second in the state.
component.timeline.announcementGroundbreaking Ceremony
Elder D. Lee Tobler presided over the groundbreaking, commencing construction of the temple.
component.timeline.groundbreakingOpen House Dates Announced
The Church announced the dates for the public open house, inviting all to tour the interior.
EventPublic Open House Begins
A public open house was held, attracting nearly 46,000 visitors who reported spiritual feelings.
EventTemple Dedicated
President James E. Faust dedicated the Medford Oregon Temple in four sessions, attended by over 8,000 members.
DedicationTenth Anniversary Noted
The Church News published an article highlighting the temple's decade of service to the region.
EventMinor Renovation Begins
A minor renovation project commenced on the temple to maintain its sacred structure and facilities.
RenovationAngel Moroni Statue Replaced
The gold-leafed Angel Moroni statue atop the spire was replaced as part of the renovation project.
RenovationNew Distribution Center Opens
A new distribution center opened in the adjacent stake center, offering temple clothing and Church materials.
EventHistory by Decade
1990s — Announcement and Groundbreaking
The 1990s marked the genesis of the Medford Oregon Temple, with its announcement in March 1999 as the second temple in Oregon. A groundbreaking ceremony followed in May 1999, presided over by Elder D. Lee Tobler, signifying the commencement of its sacred construction.
2000s — Dedication and Early Service
The new millennium brought the temple's completion and dedication in April 2000 by President James E. Faust, following a successful public open house. This era established the temple as a vital spiritual center for Latter-day Saints in the region, providing essential ordinances.
2010s — Continued Service and Anniversary
Throughout the 2010s, the Medford Oregon Temple continued its dedicated service, becoming a steadfast beacon of faith. Its tenth anniversary in 2010 was highlighted by The Church News, celebrating its ongoing impact on the community.
2020s — Renovation and Updates
The early 2020s saw a minor renovation project, beginning in July 2021, to ensure the temple's continued pristine condition. This included the replacement of the iconic Angel Moroni statue and the opening of a new distribution center, enhancing its functionality for patrons.
Architecture & Facilities
The Medford Oregon Temple features a classic modern architectural style, reflecting both the cultural heritage of the area and the spiritual significance to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Its design emphasizes clean lines, a dignified presence, and a single attached spire, harmonizing with the natural beauty of southern Oregon while providing a distinct and recognizable sacred structure.
Building Materials
Exterior
The temple's exterior is constructed with durable gray granite quarried from Mount Airy, North Carolina, providing a stately and enduring facade.
Interior Finishes
The interior features fine wood, marble, and art glass, creating an atmosphere of reverence and beauty suitable for sacred ordinances.
Roofing
The roof is designed with durable, weather-resistant materials to protect the sacred structure from Oregon's diverse climate.
Windows
Art glass windows adorn the temple, allowing natural light to filter in while contributing to the serene and sacred ambiance of the interior spaces.
Interior Features
Instruction Rooms
These rooms are designed for members to receive sacred teachings and make covenants, progressing through spiritual understanding.
Sealing Rooms
Families are united for eternity in these sacred rooms, where marriage and family sealing ordinances are performed.
Baptistry
The baptistry houses a font resting on twelve oxen, used for vicarious baptisms for deceased ancestors.
Celestial Room
Representing a return to God's presence, the Celestial Room is a space of profound peace and spiritual reflection, symbolizing eternal life.
Temple Grounds
The temple is situated on a beautifully landscaped 2-acre site, featuring manicured lawns, vibrant flower beds, and serene pathways that invite quiet contemplation.
Additional Facilities
An adjacent stake center houses a distribution center, offering temple garments, clothing, and other Church materials for patrons.
Religious Significance
As a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Medford Oregon Temple is considered a House of the Lord, a sacred space distinct from regular chapels. It is a place where members draw closer to God and learn more about His plan for His children.
The core spiritual purpose of the temple is to provide a sacred environment for performing ordinances and making covenants that are essential for eternal salvation and exaltation, central to the Christian theological grouping of the Latter-day Saint faith.
Sacred Ordinances
Baptism for the Dead
Vicarious baptisms are performed on behalf of deceased ancestors, offering them the opportunity to accept the gospel in the spirit world.
Endowment
Members receive sacred instructions and make covenants with God, gaining a deeper understanding of His plan and their divine potential.
Sealing
Families are sealed together for time and all eternity, a foundational doctrine emphasizing the eternal nature of family relationships.
Covenant Path
The temple facilitates progression along the covenant path, a series of commitments and blessings that lead individuals back to God's presence, strengthening their Christian discipleship.
Eternal Families
A central doctrine taught in the temple is the eternal nature of the family, emphasizing that relationships can continue beyond mortal life through sacred sealing ordinances.
Divine Authority
Temple ordinances are performed under the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood, believed to be the same authority held by ancient apostles, enabling sacred acts on earth and in heaven.
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 (5)
| Field | Source | Tier | Retrieved |
|---|---|---|---|
| About & Historical Background | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (opens in a new tab) | A | 2024-05-16 |
| Architectural Details & Renovation | churchofjesuschristtemples.org (opens in a new tab) | C | 2024-05-16 |
| Site and Height Details | Photogent (opens in a new tab) | D | 2024-05-16 |
| General Temple Information | Kiddle.co (opens in a new tab) | C | 2024-05-16 |
| Temple Clothing & Accessibility | White Elegance (opens in a new tab) | D | 2024-05-16 |