Apia Samoa Temple

The Apia Samoa Temple is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located in Pesega, near Apia, Samoa. The intent to build the temple was announced on October 15, 1977, by church president Spencer W. Kimball. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on February 19, 1981, also presided over by Kimball. It was the first built in Samoa, the third in Polynesia, and church's 22nd operating temple. The temple has a modern, single-spire design finished in granite, with a statue of the angel Moroni on its top. During later renovations, a fire on July 9, 2003, destroyed the original building, but it was reconstructed on the same site with a larger footprint, improved layout, and higher-quality materials, along with a sprinkler system (that was required by more modern building codes). The rebuilt temple was rededicated on September 4, 2005, by church president Gordon B. Hinckley.

The intent to construct a temple in Apia, Samoa, was announced by the church on October 15, 1977. A revised plan, changing the location from Pago Pago, American Samoa, to Apia, was introduced by church president Spencer W. Kimball on April 2, 1980, as part of a broader announcement of new temples in Polynesia. A groundbreaking ceremony and site dedication was held on February 19, 1981, with Kimball presiding. After construction of the original temple was completed, a public open house was held on July 19, 1983. The dedication was done by Gordon B. Hinckley in seven sessions starting August 5, 1983. The site was approximately 1.7 acres and featured a “R-wall” exterior finish over insulated concrete block with a cedar-shake roof, with two ordinance rooms, three sealing rooms, and about 14,560 square feet.

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