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Apia Samoa Temple
- Thread starter Bishka
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Bishka
Veteran Member
A Beacon in the Hurricane
In December 1991, one of the worst tropical storms in recent history pummeled the islands of Western and American Samoa for five days. The storm, named Hurricane Val, was particularly discouraging because after pounding the islands for two days, it seemed to weaken, which provided people with a false sense of relief. The storm then turned a full loop and hit the islands again from different directions, with even stronger winds.
The storm killed at least seventeen people and damaged or destroyed more then 65 percent of the homes of the islands. Roads, hospitals, a fire station, and virtually all the islands' crops were destroyed. Downed telephone and utility lines made communication difficult. (1)
When the storm ended, it was found that all sixty-nine of the Church's meetinghouses in Western Samoa had sustained some damage; and most of the meetinghouses in American Samoa received major damage. Despite the havoc raging around it, the Apia Samoa Temple was protected, receiving a relatively small amount of water damage.
Additionally, due to emergency generators, a light on the temple's tower shone brightly during the storm. One member said: "It was about the only light in the whole end of the island. It stood out as a beacon in the storm." (2)
(1) See "Hurricane Wreaks Ruin in Samoa," Church News, December 21, 1991, Z3.
(2) "Church Responds Swiftly to Samoa Disasters," Church News, December 28, 1991, Z14
In December 1991, one of the worst tropical storms in recent history pummeled the islands of Western and American Samoa for five days. The storm, named Hurricane Val, was particularly discouraging because after pounding the islands for two days, it seemed to weaken, which provided people with a false sense of relief. The storm then turned a full loop and hit the islands again from different directions, with even stronger winds.
The storm killed at least seventeen people and damaged or destroyed more then 65 percent of the homes of the islands. Roads, hospitals, a fire station, and virtually all the islands' crops were destroyed. Downed telephone and utility lines made communication difficult. (1)
When the storm ended, it was found that all sixty-nine of the Church's meetinghouses in Western Samoa had sustained some damage; and most of the meetinghouses in American Samoa received major damage. Despite the havoc raging around it, the Apia Samoa Temple was protected, receiving a relatively small amount of water damage.
Additionally, due to emergency generators, a light on the temple's tower shone brightly during the storm. One member said: "It was about the only light in the whole end of the island. It stood out as a beacon in the storm." (2)
(1) See "Hurricane Wreaks Ruin in Samoa," Church News, December 21, 1991, Z3.
(2) "Church Responds Swiftly to Samoa Disasters," Church News, December 28, 1991, Z14
Bishka
Veteran Member
I wish.Godlike said:It's a beautiful place, Becky, thanks for the photos.You have been there yourself personally, I presume?
These are photos that I have found on the internet. Out of everything in the LDS Church, the one item that gives me the most hope and faith (besides the Saviour) are our temples. To me they are amazing!
Bishka
Veteran Member
Location: Vaitele Street, Pesega, Apia, Samoa.
Site: 2 acres.
Exterior Finish: Granite.
Temple Design: Modern, single-spire design reflecting the original.
Number of Rooms: Two ordinance rooms and two sealing.
Total Floor Area: 18,691 square feet.
ANNOUNCEMENT: 15 October 1977
GROUNDBREAKING AND SITE DEDICATION: 19 February 1981, by Spencer W. Kimball
PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE: 1930 July 1983
DEDICATION: 56 August 1983, by Gordon B. Hinckley
REDEDICATION: 4 September 2005, by Gordon B. Hinckley
Site: 2 acres.
Exterior Finish: Granite.
Temple Design: Modern, single-spire design reflecting the original.
Number of Rooms: Two ordinance rooms and two sealing.
Total Floor Area: 18,691 square feet.
ANNOUNCEMENT: 15 October 1977
GROUNDBREAKING AND SITE DEDICATION: 19 February 1981, by Spencer W. Kimball
PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE: 1930 July 1983
DEDICATION: 56 August 1983, by Gordon B. Hinckley
REDEDICATION: 4 September 2005, by Gordon B. Hinckley
Bishka
Veteran Member
RECONSTRUCTION
The original 14,560 square-foot building followed the same design used for other temples built in the South Pacific in the 1980s: "R-wall" masonry exterior finish over concrete block and a split cedar shake shingle roof. (1)
On a Wednesday evening, July 9, 2003, fire engulfed the temple in a 45-minute blaze that granted the arriving 3 fire trucks and 100 volunteers too little time to save the buildingalthough flames that threatened adjoining Church buildings were successfully extinguished. The next morning, overwhelmed citizens found courage in the sight of the angel Moroni standing dignified atop the remaining steel-and-concrete skeleton. The temple had been closed for an expansion and renovation projectthe likely origin of the fireand was scheduled for rededication later that year. No one was injured in the fire, and no records were destroyed, having been removed for renovation. (2)
A week after receiving the devastating news of the fire, President Gordon B. Hinckley sent a letter to the Area Presidency, dated July 16, 2003, announcing the temple would be rebuilt. A grateful congregation gathered on the hallowed site just months later to join in the groundbreaking services, held Sunday, October 19, 2003. Elder Dennis E. Simmons of the Seventy presided at the ceremony. He expressed the deep feelings of emptiness felt by the Samoan saints who also rejoiced in the temple's reconstruction. To create a larger site for the temple and to afford a better view for passers-by, a dated meetinghouse that shared the site was razed, and a replacement chapel was built across the street. (3)
On January 25, 2005, the same angel Moroni statue that survived the fire reclaimed its place atop the spire of the new temple. The statue was retrieved from the remains of the original building on July 24, 2003, and kept in storage until its reinstallment. (4)
The original 14,560 square-foot building followed the same design used for other temples built in the South Pacific in the 1980s: "R-wall" masonry exterior finish over concrete block and a split cedar shake shingle roof. (1)
On a Wednesday evening, July 9, 2003, fire engulfed the temple in a 45-minute blaze that granted the arriving 3 fire trucks and 100 volunteers too little time to save the buildingalthough flames that threatened adjoining Church buildings were successfully extinguished. The next morning, overwhelmed citizens found courage in the sight of the angel Moroni standing dignified atop the remaining steel-and-concrete skeleton. The temple had been closed for an expansion and renovation projectthe likely origin of the fireand was scheduled for rededication later that year. No one was injured in the fire, and no records were destroyed, having been removed for renovation. (2)
A week after receiving the devastating news of the fire, President Gordon B. Hinckley sent a letter to the Area Presidency, dated July 16, 2003, announcing the temple would be rebuilt. A grateful congregation gathered on the hallowed site just months later to join in the groundbreaking services, held Sunday, October 19, 2003. Elder Dennis E. Simmons of the Seventy presided at the ceremony. He expressed the deep feelings of emptiness felt by the Samoan saints who also rejoiced in the temple's reconstruction. To create a larger site for the temple and to afford a better view for passers-by, a dated meetinghouse that shared the site was razed, and a replacement chapel was built across the street. (3)
On January 25, 2005, the same angel Moroni statue that survived the fire reclaimed its place atop the spire of the new temple. The statue was retrieved from the remains of the original building on July 24, 2003, and kept in storage until its reinstallment. (4)
(1) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, "Samoan Temple Destroyed by Fire," 10 Jul. 2003.
(2) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, "Samoan Temple Will Be Rebuilt," 16 Jul. 2003.
(3) Jerry L. King, "Samoan temple to be rebuilt on site," Church News 25 Oct. 2003: 3.
(4) Sarah Jane Weaver, "Remains of Samoa temple demolished" Church News 2 Aug. 2003: 4.
(2) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, "Samoan Temple Will Be Rebuilt," 16 Jul. 2003.
(3) Jerry L. King, "Samoan temple to be rebuilt on site," Church News 25 Oct. 2003: 3.
(4) Sarah Jane Weaver, "Remains of Samoa temple demolished" Church News 2 Aug. 2003: 4.