Reservations open Monday to tour new Philly Mormon temple

Philadelphia's new Mormon temple - the first in the city and state - will be open for public tours this summer, with reservations available online starting Monday.

Tours of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple, at 1739 Vine St. in Franklintown, will be offered from Aug. 10 through Sept. 9, except Sundays.

"We are excited about welcoming the community to our open house," Flora McConkie, a church spokeswoman for the Philadelphia region, said Tuesday. "With the large number of visitors anticipated, we highly encourage reserving a date and time online."

Officially known as the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple, it stands about a block north of Logan Square and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Almost five years after the September 2011 groundbreaking, the interior of the massive granite neoclassical temple with its two soaring spires is now complete, McConkie said.

"In the last week or so, furniture, artwork, rugs, and mirrors began to be delivered," she said. "Work on the plaza area continues with landscaping and the placement of pavers. By the end of May, small plantings, bushes, lawn and flowers will be in place. And by the end of June, all grounds lighting will be finished."

In addition to the temple, a meetinghouse and a 32-story residential tower are being built at the site.

The temple, designed for the performance of sacred ordinances, will be open only to church members in good standing on and after its Sept. 18 dedication.

It is expected to serve about 45,000 church members from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware. The closest Mormon temples now are in New York and Washington.

The meetinghouse will be open to the public, including for Sunday worship services, as will the temple's landscaped grounds.

Tour tickets, which are free, can be reserved at www.philadelphiamormontemple.org. Parking will be available, and modest dress is requested.

shawj@phillynews.com

215-854-2592 @julieshawphilly