Where It's Located
The Belém Brazil Temple is located at Av. Centenário da Assembleia de Deus, 2200 in the Parque Verde neighborhood of Belém, Pará, Brazil. Situated near Val de Cans International Airport, the temple serves members throughout northern Brazil and neighboring Suriname. Belém, known as the gateway to the Amazon River, is one of Brazil's largest cities and sits along the Pará River, about 60 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. The beautifully landscaped 6.7-acre property also includes patron housing and an arrival center.
Getting There
The nearest major airport is Val de Cans–Júlio Cezar Ribeiro International Airport (BEL), which is only a short drive from the temple. Travelers from the United States typically connect through major Brazilian hubs such as São Paulo, Brasília, or Manaus before arriving in Belém. Because of the temple's location near one of the city's main thoroughfares, it is easily accessible from the airport.
A Bit of History
The Belém Brazil Temple was announced by President Thomas S. Monson during the April 2016 General Conference. Before its announcement, members in northern Brazil often traveled to the Recife Brazil Temple, a journey that could require either a two-and-a-half-hour flight or more than 1,200 miles of travel by road.
An official rendering of the temple was released in August 2019, shortly before groundbreaking and site dedication on August 17, 2019, with Elder Marcos A. Aidukaitis presiding. Following several years of construction, a public open house was held from October 22 through November 5, 2022. The temple was dedicated on November 20, 2022, by Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, becoming the ninth dedicated temple in Brazil.
Design and Architecture
The Belém Brazil Temple contains approximately 28,675 square feet of floor space and is finished with Brazilian granite. A single attached central spire topped with an angel Moroni statue rises approximately 89 feet above the surrounding landscape. Inside, the temple includes two instruction rooms, two sealing rooms, and one baptistry.
The temple's design incorporates artistic elements inspired by the Amazon region. Decorative stonework combines geometric patterns influenced by traditional Marajoara indigenous pottery with the Victoria amazonica, the giant Amazon water lily. These same motifs appear throughout the art glass, while the interior color palette reflects the greens, blues, yellows, and pinks found in the surrounding rainforest. Native Brazilian wood is used extensively throughout the temple's interior, and the landscaping features plant species selected to complement the local environment.
Final Thoughts
The Belém Brazil Temple is a significant milestone for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in northern Brazil. By bringing temple worship much closer to thousands of members, it has greatly reduced travel while showcasing beautiful architectural details inspired by the Amazon region. Its unique cultural design, convenient location, and important role in the Church's growth make it a memorable destination for anyone visiting Latter-day Saint temples in South America.
Scott & Riah
Brough Made
https://broughmade.com
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