Madrid Spain Temple

On April 4, 1993, Gordon B. Hinckley, then first counselor in the First Presidency, announced during general conference that property was being acquired for a temple in Spain. The site was then identified as being in Madrid on October 9, 1993. The temple complex occupies 3.5 acres in the Pavones neighborhood of Moratalaz (Madrid) at Calle del Templo 2. The multi-building complex includes a meetinghouse, family history center, patron and missionary housing, and distribution center. These were completed by early 1999. A public open house was held February 20–March 13, 1999, with approximately 7,000 visitors touring the temple on its first day, including Spanish, Portuguese, and French members. Following the open house, the dedication took place March 19–21, 1999, conducted in ten sessions by Hinckley. The temple was the first in Spain and the Iberian Peninsula, serving church members throughout Spain, Portugal, the Canary Islands, and southern France. During the COVID-19 pandemic, temple operations were paused before resuming full worship services in May 2022. == Design and architecture ==

The Madrid Spain Temple is a modern-classical design, with an exterior of Italian Camaro marble, creating a white appearance in order to stand out from nearby older buildings made with gray stone. Landscaping includes Spanish olive trees, Mediterranean cypress, and a large fountain at the plaza entrance. The temple is approximately 45,800 square feet, and is 116 by 138 feet. The temple has four instruction rooms, four sealing rooms, and a baptistry. == Cultural and community impact ==

Before the 1999 public open house, representatives from Spain’s major media outlets, educators, and government leaders, including the mayor of Madrid, José María Álvarez del Manzano, and the personal confessor to the King of Spain, Bartolome Vicens Fiol, visited the temple. Hinkley remarked that the visit was very pleasant, and that the king gave him a “warm embrace” at the end of their meeting. == Temple leadership and admittance ==

The church's temples are directed by a temple president and matron, each typically serving for a term of three years. The president and matron oversee the administration of temple operations and provide guidance and training for both temple patrons and staff. Serving from 1999 to 2002, W. Clive Barney was the temple's first president, with Jean L. Barney serving as matron. F. Burton Howard, an emeritus general authority, served as temple president from 2005 to 2008. As of September 2025, Rafael M. Campos is the president, with V. Teresa Toledo serving as matron. Admittance A public open house in February and March 1999 preceded the temple’s dedication. Like all the church's temples, it is not used for Sunday worship services. To members of the church, temples are regarded as sacred houses of the Lord. Once dedicated, only church members with a current temple recommend can enter for worship. == See also ==