Where It's Located
The Helsinki Finland Temple is located at Leppäsillantie 3 in Espoo, Finland, approximately 7 miles (11 km) northwest of downtown Helsinki. The temple sits on a 7.4-acre wooded hillside overlooking the surrounding area and includes patron housing and a distribution center. Its beautifully landscaped grounds are open to visitors throughout the year.
Getting There
The nearest major airport is Helsinki Airport (HEL), Finland's primary international airport, located about 15 miles (24 km) from the temple. Travelers from the United States can find nonstop flights from cities such as New York, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Los Angeles (seasonally), with many additional one-stop connections through major European hubs. From the airport, the temple is approximately a 20- to 25-minute drive and is also accessible by public transportation.
A Bit of History
The Helsinki Finland Temple was announced by President Gordon B. Hinckley on April 2, 2000. It became the first temple in Finland, the tenth temple in Europe, and the third temple in the Nordic countries, following the Stockholm Sweden Temple and the Copenhagen Denmark Temple.
Groundbreaking took place on March 29, 2003, with D. Lee Tobler presiding. Following a public open house attended by more than 55,000 visitors, President Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated the temple on October 22, 2006, making it the 124th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Remarkably, thousands of visitors requested additional information about the Church during the open house, making it one of the most successful public open houses in Church history.
When dedicated, the temple served one of the Church's largest temple districts geographically, stretching across two continents and twelve time zones, including Finland, the Baltic countries, and all of Russia. The temple also holds a unique place in Church history as the last temple dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley before his passing in January 2008.
Design and Architecture
The Helsinki Finland Temple contains approximately 16,350 square feet of floor space. Its exterior is finished with Olympia white granite from Sardinia, Italy, complemented by brown Finnish granite used for retaining walls and landscaping. The temple features a single attached end spire topped with an angel Moroni statue and rises approximately 139 feet above the surrounding landscape.
Inside, the temple includes two progressive instruction rooms, two sealing rooms, and one baptistry. The temple's peaceful wooded setting, elegant granite exterior, and carefully landscaped grounds create a tranquil environment for worship and reflection.
Final Thoughts
The Helsinki Finland Temple represents an important milestone in the growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout Northern Europe. As Finland's first temple, it has provided easier access to temple worship for members across Finland and, for many years, much of Eastern Europe. Its beautiful hillside setting, elegant architecture, and historic significance as President Gordon B. Hinckley's final temple dedication make it one of Europe's most meaningful Latter-day Saint temples.
Scott & Riah
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