The Gila Valley Arizona Temple

Located in the heart of Central, Arizona, the Gila Valley Arizona Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a prominent spiritual and architectural landmark in the region. Dedicated in 2010, the temple serves members from across Southeastern Arizona and beyond. Surrounded by cotton fields and desert vistas, it’s admired for its peaceful setting, manicured grounds, and striking design — offering a place of worship, reflection, and community connection in the Gila Valley.

Official Website

The Gila Valley Arizona Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stands in Central, Arizona, between the communities of Pima and Thatcher, and is one of the most architecturally striking landmarks in the region. The temple was dedicated on May 23, 2010, by then–Church President Thomas S. Monson, marking a significant moment for Latter-day Saints throughout southeastern Arizona.

Meeting a Long-Standing Need

Before the temple's construction, members of the Church across this part of Arizona had to travel roughly 150 miles to reach the nearest temple, the Mesa Arizona Temple. The Gila Valley Arizona Temple eliminated that long round-trip for local members, giving the region its own dedicated house of worship for the Church's most sacred ordinances.

Public Open House

In the weeks before its dedication, the temple held a public open house from April 23 through May 15, 2010 (excluding Sundays), allowing members of the public and other faiths to tour the interior before it was formally dedicated and access became restricted to Church members holding a temple recommend. That open house drew significant local and regional interest, reflecting the temple's importance to the broader Gila Valley community, not just its LDS population.

Visiting Today

While the temple itself is open only to Church members holding a valid temple recommend, the surrounding grounds are open to the public, and many visitors come simply to appreciate the building's architecture and landscaped setting from outside. Its location in Central places it near other faith-based landmarks in the valley, including Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Solomon and Saint Paisius Orthodox Monastery near Safford, giving visitors interested in the region's religious diversity several stops to explore in a single trip.

FAQ

When was the Gila Valley Arizona Temple dedicated?

It was dedicated on May 23, 2010, by Church President Thomas S. Monson.

Can the public go inside the temple?

No, only Church members holding a current temple recommend may enter the temple itself, though the surrounding grounds are open to the public.

Where is the Gila Valley Arizona Temple located?

It is located in Central, Arizona, between Pima and Thatcher.

Was there ever a chance for the public to see inside the temple?

Yes, a public open house was held from April 23 to May 15, 2010 (excluding Sundays), before the temple's dedication.

Who does the temple serve?

It serves Latter-day Saints across southeastern Arizona, who previously had to travel about 150 miles to the Mesa Arizona Temple.