Where Will the Tula Mexico Temple Be Located?
The Tula Mexico Temple will be located somewhere in Tula, formally known as Tula de Allende, in the Mexican state of Hidalgo.
Tula is located approximately 60 miles north of Mexico City and has around 100,000 residents.
One unusual aspect of this temple is that the Church has not yet announced the exact site.
As of now, there is no officially announced street address or property for the temple.
Temple Announcement
President Russell M. Nelson announced the Tula Mexico Temple on October 2, 2022, during the October 2022 General Conference.
The announcement was part of a major temple expansion in which the Church announced 18 new temples around the world.
For members in the Tula area, the announcement represented the possibility of having a House of the Lord much closer to home.
The Second Temple in Hidalgo
The Tula Mexico Temple will be the second temple in the state of Hidalgo.
The other is the Pachuca Mexico Temple, located in Pachuca, the capital of Hidalgo.
This makes Tula an interesting addition to the growing network of temples throughout central Mexico.
Tula's Ancient History
Tula isn't just another Mexican city chosen for a temple.
It has an incredibly deep history.
Tula de Allende was once the capital of the Toltec Empire.
The city is particularly famous for the archaeological site of Tula, where visitors can see the enormous stone Atlantean figures associated with the ancient Toltec civilization.
That gives the future temple an especially interesting historical setting.
The Toltec Capital
The Toltecs were one of the major civilizations of ancient Mesoamerica.
Tula became an important political and cultural center, and the archaeological remains provide evidence of the city's significance centuries before the arrival of the Spanish.
Today, the ruins of Tula are among the most recognizable archaeological attractions in the state of Hidalgo.
A Temple Near Mexico City
Tula's location approximately 60 miles north of Mexico City also places the future temple within one of Mexico's most heavily populated regions.
Central Mexico already has a significant concentration of Latter-day Saint members and temples, but the addition of another temple in Hidalgo will continue to make temple worship more accessible throughout the region.
Current Construction Status
The Tula Mexico Temple is still in the planning and approval phase.
There has been no groundbreaking announcement.
More importantly, the Church has not yet announced:
- An exact temple site
- A street address
- A groundbreaking date
- A construction timeline
- An official exterior rendering
- An open house date
- A dedication date
The project therefore remains in the early stages of development.
No Temple Rendering Yet
Unlike many recently announced temples, the Tula Mexico Temple does not yet have an official exterior rendering available to the public.
That means we don't yet know what architectural style, tower configuration, landscaping, or exterior materials will ultimately be used.
Those details will likely become available after the Church selects and announces the temple site.
What Happens Next?
The next major milestone will most likely be the announcement of the temple site.
Once the location is selected and officially announced, additional information about the temple's size, design, landscaping, and supporting facilities may follow.
A groundbreaking ceremony would then mark the beginning of construction.
Eventually, the Church will announce the public open house and dedication dates.
Exploring Tula
Anyone visiting the future Tula Mexico Temple will have plenty to explore.
Tula is particularly famous for its archaeological heritage, but the city and surrounding region also offer visitors an opportunity to experience central Mexican culture outside the enormous Mexico City metropolitan area.
Some of the area's highlights include:
- Tula Archaeological Zone
- Toltec ruins
- Atlantean statues
- Historic churches
- Mexican markets
- Traditional cuisine
- Surrounding mountains and valleys
The Atlanteans of Tula
The most famous attraction in Tula is undoubtedly the Atlantean figures.
These enormous stone warrior statues stand atop the Temple of Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli at the archaeological site.
They have become an iconic symbol of the ancient Toltec civilization.
For temple visitors, having such a significant archaeological site nearby would make the future Tula Temple a particularly interesting destination.
Why the Tula Temple Matters
The Tula Mexico Temple is significant not because of its size or architectural design—we don't know those details yet—but because of where it will be located and what it represents for the region.
Tula is a historic city with deep roots in Mexican civilization.
The addition of a temple there will place a modern House of the Lord in a community that was once the center of one of ancient Mesoamerica's most influential civilizations.
Mexico's Growing Temple Network
Mexico has one of the largest concentrations of Latter-day Saint temples outside the United States.
The Tula Temple is part of the continuing expansion of that network.
Instead of having members throughout Mexico travel to a small number of major temples, additional temples are being announced in regional population centers.
The result is greater access to temple worship for members throughout the country.
Current Status
The Tula Mexico Temple is currently in the planning and approval phase.
Key Milestones
- Announcement: October 2, 2022
- Location: Tula de Allende, Hidalgo, Mexico
- Approximate population: 100,000
- Distance from Mexico City: Approximately 60 miles
- Temple site: Not yet announced
- Rendering: Not yet released
- Groundbreaking: Not yet announced
- Current status: Planning and approval phase
Final Thoughts
The Tula Mexico Temple is still very much a temple for the future.
President Russell M. Nelson announced the temple on October 2, 2022, during General Conference, announcing plans for a new House of the Lord in the historic city of Tula de Allende.
Tula is approximately 60 miles north of Mexico City and has around 100,000 residents. More importantly, it was once the capital of the Toltec Empire, making it one of the most historically significant cities in central Mexico.
The temple will become the second temple in Hidalgo, joining the Pachuca Mexico Temple.
For now, however, there is still a lot we don't know.
The Church has not announced the temple site, and there is no official rendering or groundbreaking date.
That makes the next few announcements especially exciting. Once the site is selected, we'll finally get a better idea of what this temple will look like and where exactly it will stand.
Eventually, the Tula Mexico Temple will add a modern House of the Lord to a city famous for its ancient temples and the enormous stone warriors of the Toltec civilization.
It will be a pretty remarkable contrast—and a fascinating addition to Mexico's growing collection of temples.
Scott & Riah
Brough Made
broughmade.com
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