The Hague Netherlands Temple

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The Hague Netherlands Temple
Map
Number114
Dedication8 September 2002, by Gordon B. Hinckley
Site2.7 acres (1.1 ha)
Floor area10,500 sq ft (980 m2)
Height71 ft (22 m)
Official website • News & images
Church chronology
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Additional information
Announced16 August 1999, by Gordon B. Hinckley
Groundbreaking26 August 2000, by John K. Carmack
Open house17–31 August 2002
Current presidentFrederik Erwin Brandenburg
Designed byAlbert van Eerde
LocationZoetermeer, Netherlands
Geographic coordinates52°3′16.15320″N 4°30′10.72439″E / 52.0544870000°N 4.5029789972°E / 52.0544870000; 4.5029789972
Exterior finishPolished granite
Temple designClassic modern, single-spire design
Baptistries1
Ordinance rooms2 (two-stage progressive)
Sealing rooms2
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The Hague Netherlands Temple is the 114th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), located on the outskirts of The Hague, Zoetermeer, The Netherlands.[1][2][3] It was the church's eighth temple built in Europe, the only temple in the Netherlands. The intent to build the temple was announced on August 16, 1999, by the First Presidency in a letter to local leaders.[4] Services in the temple are held in Dutch, French, and English. Other non-native speakers can follow the services simultaneously in their own language via headphones.

The temple has a single attached spire with a statue of the angel Moroni.[1] The temple was designed by architect Albert van Eerde of the firm H BG Construction, using a classic modern temple design.[5] A groundbreaking ceremony, to signify the beginning of construction, was held on August 26, 2000, conducted by John K. Carmack, a church general authority.[2]

History

The presence of the LDS Church in the Netherlands dates back to 1841 when Orson Hyde, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, stayed in the country for more than a week while on his way to Jerusalem.[5][6] During his visit, he preached the gospel, laying the groundwork for future missionary efforts. However, it was not until 1861 that the church's first official missionaries were sent to the Netherlands. On October 1 of that year, near the village of Broek bij Akkerwoude (now part of the Dantumadeel municipality), the first Dutch converts were baptized.[7]

Over time, thousands of Dutch people joined the LDS Church, though many emigrated to the United States to be near church headquarters in Utah. For many years, church leadership has now encouraged members to remain in their homelands and strengthen the church locally. In 1890, the Book of Mormon was published in Dutch, translated by John W. F. Volker.[7][8] After its publication, a copy of the Book of Mormon was presented to the king and queen of the Netherlands. The LDS Church has continued to grow steadily in the Netherlands, now comprising three stakes and having more than 9,000 members.[9]

Reflecting this growth, the construction of a church temple in Zoetermeer, a satellite city of The Hague, was announced on August 16, 1999 by the church's First Presidency in a letter to local church leaders. At the time of its construction, Dutch law required buildings to be open to the public, making the temple an exception granted by the government.[2] The name Zoetermeer translates to “sweet lake” in English, drawing a parallel to Salt Lake City, Utah, location of the church's headquarters.  Like the temple in Salt Lake City, there is also one in "Sweet Lake City.".[10][1]

The groundbreaking ceremony and site dedication for The Hague Netherlands Temple took place on August 26, 2000. Serving over 13,000 members from the Netherlands, Belgium, and parts of France, the temple became a spiritual center for church members in the region.[5] After construction was completed, a public open house was held from August 17 to 31, 2002. The temple was dedicated on September 8, 2002, Gordon B. Hinckley, the church's president, in four sessions.[2]

In 2020, like all those in the church, The Hague Netherlands Temple was closed for a time in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1]

Design and architecture

The Hague Netherlands Temple has a classic modern design, designed by architect Albert van Eerde. It has a total floor area of 14, 477 square feet (1,345 square meters), with its single attached spire, with the angel Moroni statue on its top.[1]

Located at Osylaan 2 in the Zoetermeer city of South Holland, the temple is on a 2.7-acre (1.1-hectare) site in a city park. The site was previously home to a church building of the former denomination that had to be razed for the construction of the temple, as local regulations permitted only one structure on the property.[1][11] As of March 2025, there is no distribution center on-site; however, one will soon be opening nearby at Dorpsstraat 190b, 2712 AR Zoetermeer.[12] Given its location below sea level at an elevation of -4 feet (-1 meter), special engineering measures, including the use of stabilizing pylons, were necessary during construction. Before building, the site had to be drained of excess water, and the excavation area was filled with water to test its stability.[11][13] The structure is also water-resistant, and its weight helps to keep the wooden piles firmly in place, ensuring its longevity in the soft, waterlogged ground.[14]

Exterior and interior

The temple's exterior uses polished Italian granite, giving it a sleek and elegant appearance.[5] A bridge over a large reflective pool leads visitors to the main entrance. Surrounding the temple are flower gardens, reflecting the famous floral heritage of the Netherlands.[2] Due to the limited land availability in the Netherlands, the church built an underground parking lot beneath the temple, which includes a dedicated bicycle parking area, due to the country's cycling culture.[1]

Inside, the temple has cherry wood doors and Austrian Strass crystal chandelier.[2] The temple has two instruction rooms, two sealing rooms, and a baptistry.[5]

The design has elements representing LDS Church symbolism, to provide spiritual meaning to the temple's appearance and function. Symbolism is important to church members and include the angel Moroni statue which represents “the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”[4]

Temple presidents

The church's temples are directed by a temple president and matron, each 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 2002 to 2005, the first president of The Hague Netherlands Temple was Anne Hulleman, with Elizabeth J. Hulleman serving as matron.[15] As of 2025, Buddy Gout is the president, with Astrid B. Gout-Spagl as matron.[16]

Admittance

Following the temple’s completion, a public open house was held from August 17-August 31, 2002 (excluding Sundays); during the open house, 32,819 people visited the temple.[11] The temple was dedicated by Gordon B. Hinckley on November 18, 2002, in four sessions.[9]

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.[17]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Stack, Peggy Fletcher. "All Latter-day Saint temples to close due to coronavirus", The Salt Lake Tribune, 26 March 2020. Retrieved on 28 March 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "The Hague Netherlands Temple". Church News. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  3. ^ "Den Haagtempel". Den Haagtempel (in Dutch). Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  4. ^ a b "Netherlands: Pres. Hinckley dedicates new temple in The Hague". Church News. 2002-09-14. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  5. ^ a b c d e "The Hague Netherlands Temple". Church News. 2010-03-15. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  6. ^ Hyde, Orson (July 17, 1841). "Letter from Orson Hyde". www.josephsmithpapers.org. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  7. ^ a b "Netherlands". newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. 2021-05-21. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  8. ^ "Netherlands: Chronology". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  9. ^ a b "Statistics and Church Facts | Total Church Membership". newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  10. ^ "The Temple and the Sacred: Dutch Temple Experiences". Dialogue Journal. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  11. ^ a b c "Pylons mark progress of temple". Deseret News. 2001-01-27. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  12. ^ "The Hague Netherlands Temple". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  13. ^ "Pylons mark progress of temple". Church News. 2001-01-27. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  14. ^ "ChatGPT". chatgpt.com. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  15. ^ "The Hague Netherlands Temple, Presidents and Matrons | ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org". Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  16. ^ "2024 Temple Leadership Assignments". newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. 2024-04-04. Retrieved 2025-03-21.
  17. ^ "Inside Temples". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2025-03-21.