After receiving a full renovation, both inside and out, for more than a year, the Oakland California Temple is beginning its free public open house this week! Saints in the area have been patiently awaiting the re-opening, so those in the area are surely very excited for the rededication that is scheduled for June 16th! Prior to the rededication, a youth devotional will be held on Saturday, June 15.

The public is invited to tour the temple during its open house, which will begin on Saturday, May 11, and go through Saturday, June 1, excluding Sundays (May 12, 19 and 26). Free reservations can be made on the Church’s website.

The Bay Area, where the temple stands, was home to Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Mary, for more than 30 years. “It’s a real thrill to see [the Oakland Temple] be rededicated, to see it be refurbished,” Elder Cook said. “And it has a place in my heart that’s very, very special, so I’m very grateful for it.”

The Oakland Temple is one of the oldest in the Church. Originally dedicated by President David O. McKay in 1964, it was the 13th temple built in the world. It was also the second in California (following the Los Angeles Temple) and it currently serves members from 31 stakes in Northern California. Right now the Oakland Temple is one of seven temples in the state, with an eighth recently announced to be built in Yuba City, which will be called the Feather River California Temple.

Below photos courtesy of Mormon Newsroom.