If you’ve driven down I-15 through southern Utah County lately, you’ve probably noticed the skyline shifting. It isn't just more suburban sprawl or another warehouse. There’s a massive structure rising near the intersection of North Main Street and 1000 North. The Spanish Fork Utah Temple is officially under construction, and for the people living in this windy corner of the valley, it’s a big deal.
It's actually happening.
For years, rumors swirled around church pews and grocery store aisles in Spanish Fork. People wondered if the "City of Pride" would ever get its own temple, or if they’d be stuck driving to Payson or Provo forever. Then, in April 2023, President Russell M. Nelson made it official during General Conference. The announcement felt like a long time coming for a community that has grown at a breakneck pace over the last decade. Honestly, Spanish Fork isn't the sleepy agricultural town it used to be. It’s a hub.
Why the Spanish Fork Utah Temple is unconventional
Most temples follow a fairly predictable rollout, but this one has some unique flavor. First off, let’s talk about the site. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is building this on a 45-acre plot. That is huge. To give you some perspective, many modern temples are squeezed into suburban lots with just enough room for a parking lot and some manicured hedges. This site, located at about 1563 S. 1100 East (near the golf course and the Spanish Fork River Trail), offers a much more expansive footprint.
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The design is also a departure from the "cookie-cutter" look some critics complain about.
The architectural renderings show a multi-story building that pulls from local heritage. We’re talking about roughly 30,000 square feet. It’s not a "mega-temple" like the one in Jordan River or the historic Salt Lake Temple, but it’s significant. It’s designed to handle the massive population boom in Spanish Fork, Salem, and Vineyard.
The aesthetic? It’s meant to reflect the spirit of the valley. Expect to see motifs that nod to the Icelandic heritage of the area—Spanish Fork is home to the first permanent Icelandic settlement in the United States—and the natural flora of the Utah Valley.
The Groundbreaking and Current Progress
Ground was officially broken on August 10, 2024. Elder Adilson de Paula Parrella presided over the event. It wasn't just a dry, religious ceremony. It was a community milestone. If you were there, you felt the dust and the heat, but you also felt the genuine excitement.
Construction is now in full swing.
Right now, if you pass by the site, you'll see the heavy machinery doing the "dirty work." Grading. Utility lines. Foundation prep. It doesn't look like much more than a giant sandbox yet, but the pace is surprisingly fast. Church construction projects in Utah usually move with a certain relentless efficiency. You can expect the steel frame to start poking up toward the clouds sooner than you think.
People always ask: "When will it be done?"
Construction typically takes about two to three years for a temple of this size. If everything stays on schedule—and Utah weather doesn't throw too many curveballs—we are likely looking at a late 2026 or early 2027 completion date.
Traffic, Growth, and the "Temple Effect"
Let’s be real for a second. Not everyone is thrilled about the construction.
Whenever a project this big lands in a residential or semi-rural area, neighbors worry about traffic. Spanish Fork already struggles with congestion near the freeway off-ramps and along Highway 6. Adding a temple means adding thousands of visitors a week. The city has been working on infrastructure upgrades, but there’s always a "growing pain" period.
But there’s also the "temple effect" on property values.
Historically, when a temple is built, the surrounding real estate becomes some of the most coveted dirt in the county. You’ll see new developments popping up around the Spanish Fork Utah Temple site almost instantly. Developers are already eyeing the adjacent parcels for "55 and older" communities and high-end residential builds. It changes the vibe of a neighborhood from "edge of town" to "center of the map."
What happens inside?
If you aren't a member of the LDS faith, you might be wondering why all the fuss is about a building you might not even be allowed to enter once it’s dedicated.
Here’s the deal.
Before the temple is formally dedicated, there will be a public open house. This is a big window—usually several weeks—where anyone can walk through. You don't have to be religious. You don't have to sign anything. You just put on some little booties over your shoes and walk through the rooms. It’s a chance to see the craftsmanship, the art glass, and the "Celestial Room," which is designed to be the most peaceful place on earth.
After the dedication, the building is reserved for members of the Church who hold a "recommend." Inside, they perform marriages (sealings), baptisms for ancestors, and instructional ceremonies known as the endowment. It’s not a Sunday meetinghouse. There aren't basketball hoops in the gym or potluck dinners here. It’s a space dedicated entirely to quiet reflection and religious rites.
The broader impact on South County
South Utah County is currently the "it" place for development. With the Provo Temple currently undergoing a massive reconstruction and the Orem and Payson temples running at high capacity, the Spanish Fork Utah Temple is a logistical necessity.
It relieves the pressure.
It also anchors the community. For many residents, the temple represents a sense of permanence. It says that Spanish Fork is no longer just a "stop on the way to Moab" or a place you go for the fair and the rodeo. It’s a destination.
Key Details to Remember:
- Location: Near 1000 North and Main Street.
- Size: Approximately 30,000 square feet.
- Status: Under active construction (Ground broken August 2024).
- Public Access: A free public open house will occur once construction is finished.
If you’re planning a move to the area or just curious about the construction cranes, keep an eye on the city's planning commission notes. They are frequently updating road access plans around the site to mitigate that traffic we talked about.
Actionable Steps for Residents and Visitors
Stay informed on traffic shifts. The area around 1100 East and North Main will see significant utility work over the next 18 months. If you use that route for your morning commute, start looking at 1700 East or the I-15 frontage roads as backups. The city usually posts these alerts on their social media pages.
Mark your calendar for late 2026. Don't miss the open house. Even if you aren't religious, the architecture and interior design are usually world-class. It’s a rare chance to see the interior of a landmark that will define the Spanish Fork skyline for the next century.
Check the official progress. If you want to see the latest drone footage or photos of the stone being laid, the Church’s official newsroom and various local "temple tracker" blogs are the best sources. They updated weekly with photos from the fence line, so you can see the progress without actually trespassing on the job site.
Prepare for the local market. If you own land near the site, sit tight. The value of your property is likely in a transition phase. Consult with a local realtor who understands "temple-proximate" real estate trends before making any sudden moves.
The landscape is changing. The dust is flying. And soon, the Spanish Fork Utah Temple will be a finished reality.