RELIGION

Pennsylvania's first Mormon temple to open in Philadelphia

Associated Press
Published | Updated

This Aug. 3, 2016 photo shows the new Mormon Temple, center, set to open near Logan Square in Center City in Philadelphia. The Mormon church is offering the general public a rare opportunity to tour its 152nd temple, a first of its kind in Pennsylvania. Regional membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has grown to more than 40,000 members in parts of Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland. The growth prompted church leadership in 2008 to announce the temple plans. (AP Photo/Michael Sisak) (The Associated Press)

This Aug. 3, 2016 photo shows the new Mormon Temple, center, set to open near Logan Square in Center City in Philadelphia. The Mormon church is offering the general public a rare opportunity to tour its 152nd temple, a first of its kind in Pennsylvania. Regional membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has grown to more than 40,000 members in parts of Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland. The growth prompted church leadership in 2008 to announce the temple plans. (AP Photo/Michael Sisak) (The Associated Press)

This Aug. 3, 2016 photo shows a 21-foot statue of the trumpeting Angel Moroni sits atop the new Mormon Temple, center, set to open near Logan Square in Center City in Philadelphia. The Mormon church is offering the general public a rare opportunity to tour its 152nd temple, a first of its kind in Pennsylvania. Regional membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has grown to more than 40,000 members in parts of Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland. The growth prompted church leadership in 2008 to announce the temple plans. (AP Photo/Michael Sisak) (The Associated Press)

The Mormon church is offering the general public a rare opportunity to tour its 152nd temple, a first of its kind in Pennsylvania and a prominent addition to downtown Philadelphia.

Public tours of the granite temple will run between Wednesday and Sept. 9 near the city's Logan Circle, after which the temple will be dedicated and only church members in good standing will be permitted to walk its halls.

Regional membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has grown to more than 40,000 members in parts of Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland. The growth prompted church leadership in 2008 to announce the temple plans.

Mormon leaders expect some 160,000 visitors to view the temple's ornate four levels.