Where It's Located
The Reynosa Mexico Temple will be located in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico, near the United States border. Reynosa sits directly across the Rio Grande from McAllen, Texas, making it one of Mexico's most accessible temple locations for travelers coming from the southern United States.
The temple site is in the metropolitan area of Reynosa, a rapidly growing city and an important industrial and commercial center in northeastern Mexico.
Reynosa's location is particularly significant for Latter-day Saints because the city serves communities on both sides of the Rio Grande. The future temple will provide greater access to temple worship for members in Tamaulipas and surrounding areas.
Getting There
For travelers from the United States, Reynosa is one of the more straightforward international temple destinations to reach.
The closest major U.S. airport is McAllen International Airport (MFE) in Texas. From McAllen, travelers can reach the Reynosa area by crossing the international border.
Reynosa also has General Lucio Blanco International Airport (REX), which provides domestic air service within Mexico.
Because Reynosa is a border city, travelers should make sure they understand current border-crossing requirements and transportation considerations before planning a visit. Those traveling by car should also research current requirements for driving into Mexico and returning to the United States.
A Bit of History
The Reynosa Mexico Temple was announced by President Russell M. Nelson on October 7, 2018, during the October 2018 General Conference. The announcement made it part of a major period of temple expansion throughout Mexico. (churchofjesuschristtemples.org)
The temple will serve Latter-day Saints in northeastern Mexico, particularly members living in Tamaulipas and surrounding areas.
The region has a long history with the Church. Missionary work in Mexico began in the late nineteenth century, and Church membership has grown substantially throughout the country over the decades.
For members living near Reynosa, having a temple nearby will eventually reduce the need for long-distance travel to other temples in Mexico or across the border.
Temple Site and Plans
The Church later selected a site for the future temple in Reynosa and released an official exterior rendering.
The planned temple is designed as a relatively compact building intended to serve the local population while maintaining the architectural character associated with modern Latter-day Saint temples.
Its location near the U.S.-Mexico border is one of the most distinctive aspects of the project. Few temple sites provide such immediate access to communities on both sides of an international boundary.
Current Status
The Reynosa Mexico Temple is not yet an operating temple and has been progressing through the planning and development process.
As with other announced temples, the Church must complete the necessary architectural, governmental, and construction planning before work can begin.
A future groundbreaking will mark the transition from planning into physical construction. Following construction, the Church will announce a public open house and dedication dates.
Until those announcements are made, travelers should not plan a trip specifically around entering the temple.
Northeastern Mexico and Temple Access
The future Reynosa Temple is especially significant because of the geography of northeastern Mexico.
Tamaulipas stretches along Mexico's northeastern Gulf Coast and shares a long international boundary with Texas. Cities in the region are separated by substantial distances, and traveling to temples elsewhere in Mexico can require considerable time and expense.
Reynosa's position near the border makes it a natural regional center. Once completed, the temple should provide a much more convenient destination for many members throughout Tamaulipas and neighboring communities.
The temple's location also illustrates the increasingly global nature of Latter-day Saint temple construction. Temples are being built not only in major metropolitan areas but also in regional population centers where members have historically faced significant travel to participate in temple worship.
Visiting Reynosa
Reynosa is a modern border city with a strong connection to both Mexican and American culture. Its location along the Rio Grande places it within the broader McAllen–Reynosa metropolitan area, one of the largest binational urban regions along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Travelers visiting the area can experience Mexican cuisine, shopping, local markets, and the distinctive culture of a city shaped by its proximity to the United States.
Because the temple is not currently operating, visitors should distinguish between visiting the temple site or exterior and entering the temple itself. Once the temple is completed, the Church will announce whether and when a public open house will be held.
What to Watch for Next
For the Reynosa Mexico Temple, the most important future milestones will be:
- Announcement of a groundbreaking date
- Beginning of construction
- Additional architectural and construction updates
- Completion of the temple
- Announcement of a public open house
- Announcement of the dedication
- Opening of the temple for regular ordinance work
The dedication will be the moment when the temple officially becomes a functioning house of the Lord.
Final Thoughts
The Reynosa Mexico Temple will be an important addition to the network of temples serving Mexico's northeastern region. Its location is particularly fascinating because of its proximity to the United States and its position within the large binational community surrounding the Rio Grande.
For Latter-day Saints in Tamaulipas, the temple promises to make temple worship substantially more accessible. For American travelers, especially those living in Texas and other parts of the Southwest, Reynosa could eventually become one of the easiest international temples to visit.
Although the temple is still progressing toward completion, its future presence in Reynosa represents another significant step in the worldwide expansion of temple worship.
Scott & Riah
Brough Made
broughmade.com
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