The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (CJCLDS) has completed the construction of their first temple in the entire East Africa region.
The impressive temple is located at Mountain View, Hinga Road, off Waiyaki Road, Nairobi.
According to CJCLDS, Latter-day Saint temples differ from the meetinghouses or chapels where members meet for Sunday worship services. Temples are considered “houses of the Lord,” where the teachings of Jesus Christ are reaffirmed through marriage, baptism, and other ceremonies that unite families for eternity.
Church members in Kenya and surrounding African countries have been attending the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple, their nearest temple. The Nairobi Africa Temple is anticipated to serve members in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan.
The Nairobi Kenya Temple is a cast-in-place concrete structural frame, with concrete block partitions and stone veneer. The exterior stone veneer is Portuguese Moleanos limestone.
Floral motifs are a theme in this temple. This is because Nairobi is one of the largest exporters of flowers on the African continent, says the Church.
The temple’s flooring features Milliken carpet, nylon rugs, and porcelain Cerim Marfil stone with Quartzite Blue and Verde Imperiale accents. Stone skirtings are made of Portuguese Moleanos limestone.
The interior walls use neutral tones, as inspired by the Kenyan savanna.
