Where It's Located
The Tuxtla Gutiérrez Mexico Temple is located at:
Carretera a Chicoasén Kilometro 1.4
Esq. Paseo de la Roseta
Fraccionamiento San José Chapultepec
29047 Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, Mexico
Tuxtla Gutiérrez is the capital of Chiapas, Mexico's southernmost state. Chiapas borders Guatemala, giving the temple an important location for Latter-day Saints in southern Mexico.
The temple sits in a valley surrounded by mountains, giving it a distinctly different setting from many of Mexico's temples farther north.
The Temple Announcement
The Tuxtla Gutiérrez Mexico Temple was announced on February 25, 1999.
The announcement came during a period of significant temple expansion by the Church. The temple would become an important resource for Latter-day Saints living in Chiapas and neighboring areas.
Groundbreaking
Groundbreaking and site dedication took place on March 20, 1999, only a few weeks after the temple was announced.
Elder Richard E. Turley Sr. presided over the ceremony.
Interestingly, the Tuxtla Gutiérrez groundbreaking was held on the same day as groundbreaking ceremonies for three other temples:
- Fresno California Temple
- Fukuoka Japan Temple
- Melbourne Australia Temple
That gives the ceremony an interesting place in the history of the Church's worldwide temple-building efforts.
A Temple in Chiapas
Chiapas has some of the richest archaeological and cultural history in Mexico.
The region is home to hundreds of ancient ruins and archaeological discoveries. The area around Tuxtla Gutiérrez has yielded carved monuments, ancient calendars, pottery, stone boxes, incense burners, and other artifacts.
The temple therefore sits in an area with thousands of years of human history.
A History of Missionary Work
The Church's presence in the Tuxtla Gutiérrez area goes back decades before the temple was announced.
In 1957, Elder Howard W. Hunter, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, accompanied President Claudius Bowman of the Mexican Mission to Mactumatza, a mountain overlooking Tuxtla Gutiérrez.
There, they dedicated the area for the preaching of the gospel.
More than 40 years later, a temple would be built in that same city.
The Temple Site
The temple occupies approximately 1.56 acres.
The property is relatively compact compared with many modern temple sites.
Despite the small site, the temple complex includes a distribution center.
There is no visitors' center, arrival center, or patron housing at the temple.
Architecture
The Tuxtla Gutiérrez Mexico Temple contains approximately 10,700 square feet of floor space.
The temple's exterior is finished with white marble from Torreón, Mexico.
One of its most recognizable architectural features is its single attached spire, which is topped with an Angel Moroni statue.
The design gives the temple a relatively compact but distinctive appearance.
Temple Ordinance Rooms
The temple contains:
- Two instruction rooms
- Two sealing rooms
- One baptistry
The two instruction rooms use a two-stage progressive format.
This means patrons move through different spaces as they progress through the endowment ceremony.
Temple Elevation
The Tuxtla Gutiérrez Mexico Temple sits at an elevation of approximately 1,883 feet, or 574 meters, above sea level.
The surrounding mountains and valley make the temple's setting particularly scenic.
Public Open House
The public open house took place from February 29 through March 4, 2000.
Although the open house lasted only four days, it provided an opportunity for members and members of the public to tour the completed temple before its dedication.
Temple Dedication
The Tuxtla Gutiérrez Mexico Temple was dedicated on March 12, 2000, by President James E. Faust.
Its dedication made it the 75th dedicated temple in operation.
The temple has continued serving Latter-day Saints in southern Mexico ever since.
The Temple's Purpose
When the temple was being constructed, Elder Richard E. Turley Sr. emphasized the importance of preparing spiritually for the temple.
At the groundbreaking, he taught about the importance of the Savior's Atonement and temple work, while encouraging members in the temple district to develop a culture of regular temple attendance.
That message is particularly fitting for a temple intended to serve members throughout a large region.
Exploring Tuxtla Gutiérrez
Tuxtla Gutiérrez is an excellent destination for travelers interested in Mexican culture and nature.
The city is known for its:
- Mountainous surroundings
- Indigenous cultures
- Archaeological sites
- Mexican cuisine
- Markets
- Parks
- Nearby natural attractions
Because the city serves as the capital of Chiapas, it is also an important center for the region.
Sumidero Canyon
One of the most spectacular attractions near Tuxtla Gutiérrez is Sumidero Canyon.
The canyon features enormous limestone cliffs rising dramatically above the Grijalva River.
Boat tours through the canyon are one of the most popular ways to experience the area.
For someone visiting the temple from outside Chiapas, Sumidero Canyon would be an obvious addition to the itinerary.
Chiapas' Ancient History
Chiapas is also home to some of Mexico's most important ancient Maya sites.
Among the most famous is Palenque, located farther east of Tuxtla Gutiérrez.
The ruins, jungle setting, and elaborate architecture make Palenque one of the most spectacular archaeological destinations in Mexico.
The region around Tuxtla also contains numerous lesser-known archaeological sites.
Mexican and Indigenous Culture
Chiapas is home to numerous Indigenous communities with distinct languages, traditions, clothing, crafts, and food.
Visitors can experience a side of Mexican culture that is quite different from what they might find in Mexico City or the resort communities along the country's coasts.
That cultural diversity is one of the things that makes Chiapas such an interesting region to visit.
Current Status
The Tuxtla Gutiérrez Mexico Temple is currently operating.
Key Milestones
- Announcement: February 25, 1999
- Groundbreaking: March 20, 1999
- Public open house: February 29–March 4, 2000
- Dedication: March 12, 2000
- Dedicating president: James E. Faust
- Temple number: 75th dedicated temple in operation
- Site: 1.56 acres
- Floor area: 10,700 square feet
- Exterior: White marble from Torreón, Mexico
- Architecture: Single attached spire with Angel Moroni
- Ordinance rooms: 2 instruction rooms, 2 sealing rooms, 1 baptistry
- Current status: Operating
Planning a Temple Visit
The Tuxtla Gutiérrez Mexico Temple does not have a visitors' center, arrival center, or patron housing. A distribution center is located on the temple property.
For those traveling to the temple, Tuxtla Gutiérrez provides plenty of opportunities to experience Chiapas beyond the temple grounds.
Sumidero Canyon is particularly close to the city and would make a great addition to a temple-focused trip.
Final Thoughts
The Tuxtla Gutiérrez Mexico Temple has a fascinating story because of how quickly it went from announcement to dedication.
The temple was announced on February 25, 1999, and groundbreaking took place less than a month later on March 20.
Just under a year later, the public was invited to tour the completed building during its open house from February 29 through March 4, 2000. President James E. Faust dedicated the temple on March 12, 2000, making it the 75th dedicated temple in operation.
The finished temple contains 10,700 square feet and sits on a 1.56-acre site. Its exterior is made from white marble quarried in Torreón, Mexico, while its single attached spire is topped with an Angel Moroni statue.
But perhaps the most interesting part of the temple's story is its connection to the history of the Church in Chiapas.
In 1957, Elder Howard W. Hunter visited Mactumatza, a mountain overlooking Tuxtla Gutiérrez, and dedicated the area for the preaching of the gospel. More than four decades later, a temple would stand in the city.
Today, the Tuxtla Gutiérrez Mexico Temple continues to serve Latter-day Saints in one of Mexico's most culturally and geographically distinctive regions.
And for anyone visiting, the temple is only part of the experience. The mountains of Chiapas, the incredible Sumidero Canyon, ancient archaeological sites, and rich Indigenous cultures make Tuxtla Gutiérrez a fascinating destination.
Scott & Riah
Brough Made
broughmade.com
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