Located in Tacloban City
TACLOBAN CITY– The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the Mormon Church, has broken ground on what will become its largest temple in Eastern Visayas.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place Saturday, January 18.
Michael Strong, the First Counselor of the Philippines Area of the Church, expressed optimism that the construction of the larger temple would encourage growth among the current membership, which stands at over 35,000 in the region.
“We feel that the groundbreaking of the temple is not just for our church but for the community,” Strong said.
He emphasized the Church’s commitment to being an “important partner” with the local government and civic organizations in Tacloban and nearby areas.
“The Church is not only teaching about faith in Jesus Christ but is also very active in humanitarian works and services. We look for opportunities to contribute and partner with government and civic leaders to help make the community a better place,” he added.
The new temple will be located in the Caibaan area of Tacloban City. The two-story structure will cover an area of 21,407 square meters, making it a significant addition to the Church’s presence in the Philippines. Construction is expected to be completed in two years.
Once finished, the Tacloban temple will be the eighth operational temple in the Philippines, out of the 13 currently planned or under construction nationwide.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a history of community involvement in Tacloban.
Following the devastation of Super Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ in 2013, the Church was among the first organizations to extend assistance to survivors. Its support included relief efforts and aid to local schools.
The Church hopes that the new temple will help expand its membership base in Eastern Visayas. Currently, the region is home to over 35,000 members, with more than 7,000 based in Tacloban City.
“With this new temple, we aim to provide a sacred space that inspires faith and unity while also fostering growth within our community,” Church leaders said in a statement.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
