Where It's Located
The Torreón Mexico Temple is located at:
París 266
El Campestre
35080 Gómez Palacio, Durango
Mexico
Despite its name, the temple is technically located in Gómez Palacio, a city immediately across the Nazas River from Torreón.
Gómez Palacio and Torreón are part of the same metropolitan area, making the temple's location practical for members throughout the region.
The Temple Announcement
President Russell M. Nelson announced the Torreón Mexico Temple on April 4, 2021, during the 191st Annual General Conference.
At the time, it was announced as Mexico's 16th temple.
The announcement was part of a historic period of temple expansion, when President Nelson announced 20 new temples during the April 2021 General Conference.
About Torreón
Torreón is located in the Mexican state of Coahuila and had a population of approximately 635,000 people when the temple was announced.
The city is part of the larger Comarca Lagunera metropolitan region, which includes Gómez Palacio and other surrounding communities.
Although the temple carries the Torreón name, its actual location in Gómez Palacio makes it accessible to members on both sides of the metropolitan area.
The Temple Site
The temple site was announced on September 23, 2021.
The Church selected a 0.89-acre property at the corner of Paris and Amsterdam Streets in Gómez Palacio.
The property sits directly across the street from an existing meetinghouse.
The temple will be a relatively compact building, with approximately 10,000 square feet of floor space.
Groundbreaking
Groundbreaking and site dedication took place on December 10, 2022.
Elder Hugo Montoya, president of the Mexico Area, presided over the ceremony.
Government officials, journalists, Church members, and special guests attended the event, including representatives of Mujeres Salvando Mujeres, or "Women Saving Women."
One young man with pioneer roots in the region shared his testimony about the blessing of having a temple nearby.
Temple Rendering
The official exterior rendering of the Torreón Mexico Temple was released on September 23, 2021.
The design calls for a single-story temple with one attached central tower.
Its relatively small footprint is well suited to the 0.89-acre urban site.
Architecture
The Torreón Mexico Temple will contain approximately 10,000 square feet.
The building will feature:
- A single story
- A single attached central tower
- One instruction room
- One sealing room
- One baptistry
The compact design is representative of the smaller temples being built in many locations around the world to make temple worship more accessible to local members.
Temple Facilities
Although the temple itself is relatively small, the overall complex will include several additional facilities.
Plans call for an ancillary building containing:
- Patron accommodations
- A distribution center
- A residence for the temple president and matron
The existing meetinghouse across the street will also be expanded to provide an arrival center.
This allows the Church to provide several important temple-related services without requiring a large temple building.
A Low-Elevation Mexican Temple
The temple site sits at approximately 3,726 feet above sea level, or 1,136 meters.
That puts it at a considerably lower elevation than some of Mexico's other temples, particularly those located in the country's central highlands.
The surrounding region is characterized by a dry desert climate.
Serving the Torreón Region
The temple will serve Latter-day Saints throughout the Torreón metropolitan area and surrounding communities.
Its location in Gómez Palacio is especially practical because the two cities function as part of one metropolitan region despite being located in different Mexican states.
For local members, the temple will eliminate the need for longer travel to other temples elsewhere in Mexico.
A Temple in the Comarca Lagunera
Torreón and Gómez Palacio form part of a region commonly known as La Laguna or the Comarca Lagunera.
The region crosses the boundary between Coahuila and Durango.
That makes the temple particularly interesting: it is named for one major city but physically located in another city and another state.
Preparing for the Open House
The Torreón Mexico Temple is now approaching one of the final stages before its dedication.
The public open house is scheduled to begin on October 22, 2026.
The open house is scheduled to run through November 7, 2026, giving the public 16 days to tour the temple.
This will allow members of the community and people of other faiths to see the interior before the building becomes a dedicated temple.
Dedication
The Torreón Mexico Temple is scheduled to be dedicated on November 22, 2026, by Elder Gary E. Stevenson.
That means the temple will move from construction and preparation into full temple operation later in 2026.
Why the Open House Matters
Temple open houses are unusual because dedicated temples are generally restricted to Latter-day Saints who meet the requirements to enter.
Before dedication, however, members of the public can tour the building.
The Torreón open house will therefore give local residents an opportunity to see the temple's interior, learn about its purpose, and experience the building before it becomes a functioning temple.
Exploring Torreón
A trip to the Torreón Mexico Temple could also be an opportunity to explore the La Laguna region.
Torreón is known for its:
- Desert landscape
- Historic downtown
- Museums
- Parks
- Mexican cuisine
- Cultural attractions
- Nearby mountains
The city has developed into an important industrial and commercial center in northern Mexico.
Cristo de las Noas
One of Torreón's most recognizable landmarks is Cristo de las Noas, a massive statue of Jesus Christ overlooking the city from Cerro de las Noas.
The statue is one of the largest Christ monuments in Mexico and provides spectacular views across the Torreón metropolitan area.
It would be one of the most obvious stops for visitors making a temple trip to the region.
The Desert Landscape
The Torreón area has a distinctly different landscape from the lush tropical and mountainous regions found elsewhere in Mexico.
The region is surrounded by arid terrain and dramatic desert mountains.
That landscape provides a unique backdrop for the future temple.
Mexican Food
Visitors to Torreón can also experience the cuisine of northern Mexico.
Some foods worth looking for include:
- Carne asada
- Tacos
- Burritos
- Cabrito
- Gorditas
- Discada
- Flour tortillas
Northern Mexican cuisine tends to be particularly famous for grilled meats and flour-based dishes.
Why the Torreón Temple Matters
The Torreón Mexico Temple represents another step in the remarkable growth of temples throughout Mexico.
When it was announced in 2021, Mexico already had 15 temples either dedicated or in various stages of development, making the Torreón Temple the country's 16th.
The temple will bring temple ordinances closer to members living in the La Laguna region.
The Growth of the Church in Mexico
The history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mexico stretches back to 1875, when missionary work officially began in the country.
By the time the Torreón Temple was announced, Mexico had approximately 1.5 million Latter-day Saints and 1,800 congregations.
That makes Mexico one of the most significant countries in the worldwide Church outside the United States.
A Small Temple With a Big Impact
At only 10,000 square feet, the Torreón Temple is much smaller than many of the Church's older temples.
But its size doesn't diminish its importance.
Smaller temples allow the Church to place temples in communities where a huge building would not be necessary.
For members who previously needed to travel considerable distances, a 10,000-square-foot temple can make a massive difference.
Current Status
The Torreón Mexico Temple is currently nearing completion and preparing for its public open house.
Key milestones include:
- Announcement: April 4, 2021
- Site announced: September 23, 2021
- Groundbreaking: December 10, 2022
- Public open house: October 22–November 7, 2026
- Dedication: November 22, 2026
- Planned floor area: 10,000 square feet
- Site: 0.89 acres
- Current status: Preparing for public open house
Planning a Temple Visit
If you are planning to attend the public open house, the scheduled dates are October 22 through November 7, 2026.
Tour information has not yet been released, so visitors should watch for additional announcements as the open house approaches.
After dedication on November 22, the temple will transition into regular operation.
Final Thoughts
The Torreón Mexico Temple is a great example of how the worldwide temple-building effort is bringing temples into communities that previously had to travel significant distances to participate in temple worship.
President Russell M. Nelson announced the temple on April 4, 2021, during General Conference, making it Mexico's 16th temple at the time of the announcement.
The temple site was announced later that year, on September 23, 2021, with plans for a compact 10,000-square-foot temple on a 0.89-acre property in Gómez Palacio, Durango.
Groundbreaking followed on December 10, 2022, with Elder Hugo Montoya presiding. Local government officials, journalists, Church members, and community guests participated in the ceremony.
The finished temple will contain one instruction room, one sealing room, and one baptistry, while an adjacent ancillary building will provide patron accommodations, a distribution center, and housing for the temple president and matron.
Now the project is entering its most exciting stage.
The public will be able to tour the temple from October 22 through November 7, 2026, before Elder Gary E. Stevenson dedicates the temple on November 22, 2026.
For Latter-day Saints in Torreón, Gómez Palacio, and the surrounding La Laguna region, the temple will provide something much more important than another beautiful building. It will provide a nearby place of worship and service, allowing local members to participate in temple ordinances without traveling as far from home.
And with the temple's public open house only months away, the Torreón Mexico Temple is almost ready to begin its next chapter.
Scott & Riah
Brough Made
broughmade.com
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