It’s hard to believe that just a few years ago, this very spot was a quiet patch on the city’s map. Then, in October 2018, the world got a surprise message: Church president Russell M. Nelson announced that Cape Verde would be getting its first-ever temple. It was one of twelve temples revealed that day-think of it like a spiritual “holiday sale,” with temples for everyone! And yes, at the time, this made it number 201 on the ultimate church temple scorecard.
Flash forward to May 2019: Picture dignified people in dress shoes, shovels in hand, breaking ground. Paul V. Johnson, from the church’s Europe Area, led the ceremony. Bit by bit, stone by stone, a new chapter took shape right here in Praia.
But this isn’t just another building. The temple’s design is quietly elegant, inspired by local style-one story, a single tower, and lush gardens wrapping around it. Step along the walkways and you’ll spot shade trees and palm fronds, little islands of calm in the city’s heartbeat. A meetinghouse waits nearby, always ready for the next gathering, though not for Sunday services-the temple keeps things sacred and special.
Inside, it’s clever, too! The rooms switch up their roles: there’s an instruction room that can become a sealing room, or vice versa. They say it’s only the second temple in the world with these “convertible” rooms-maybe we’ll see a temple with pop-up headlights next.
Then, in the spring of 2022, as the last touches were being set, an open house was thrown. For three weeks (but Sundays off, of course), over 10,000 people walked these halls in awe. On June 19, 2022, Neil L. Andersen from the church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the temple. Since then, it’s become a quiet beacon for church members, serving their most sacred moments.
Every temple gets a president and a matron to keep things running smoothly-sort of like the ultimate team of spiritual caretakers. The very first duo here was Roberto and Eliana Oliveira; now, Adriano and Teresinha Lopes have the keys, and hopefully fewer bathroom breaks.
So, take a moment to let the peace of this place sink in. A building shaped by faith, by community, by dreams-and by a bit of Portuguese limestone. Ready for our next stop? I promise, no hard hats required!
If you're keen on discovering more about the design and architecture, temple presidents or the admittance, head down to the chat section and engage with me.
