Kirtland in Lake County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Kirtland Temple
Dedicated in 1836, the “House of the Lord,” commonly known as Kirtland Temple, served as the center of the community life for the thousands of church members in and around Kirtland. Distinctive design features include two large assembly rooms with tiers of elaborately carved pulpits at both ends, and windows on every interior and exterior wall. Members and friends gathered on the first floor to worship. The second floor was devoted to church leadership education and training. The third floor housed additional schoolrooms and administrative offices.
According to a local minister, life for many members was difficult. They lived in what he describes as an “assembly of hovels and shanties and small houses.” They overcame their hardships through great sacrifice, with some giving up “even the necessaries of life” in order to build what was then one of the largest buildings in northern Ohio. Kirtland Temple symbolizes the empowerment that comes from spiritual preparation and dedicated stewardship, while inspiring continuing efforts to build up the communities in which we live.
[Second Marker – Erected by The Architects Society of Ohio and the Ohio Historical Society, 1966]
[Additional Stone Marker:]
The House of the Lord
Built 1833-36
under the direction of Joseph Smith, Jr.
Owned and maintained
By
The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints
World Headquarters, The Auditorium
Independence, Missouri
Erected 2003 by Community of Christ (formerly called the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Landmarks • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 27, 1844.
Location. 41° 37.508′ N, 81° 21.705′ W. Marker is in Kirtland, Ohio, in Lake County. Marker is on Chilicothe Road, 1.2 miles south of I-90 (Interstate 90), on the right when traveling south. Approximately 20 miles east of Cleveland, take I-90 exit 193 (Mentor and Kirtland). Go 1.2 mile southeast on Ohio State Route 306. The road's name changes to Kirtland Road, then to Chilicothe Road as you enter the town. Temple and marker will be on your right. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9020 Chilicothe Road, Willoughby OH 44094, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Mormon Community (approx. ¼ mile away); Cora Gaines Carrel (approx. 2½ miles away); Four Institutions of Learning (approx. 2½ miles away); Willoughby Civil War Memorial (approx. 2½ miles away); A. Y. Austin Post 74, G.A.R. Memorial (approx. 2½ miles away); Willoughby Veterans Memorial (approx. 2½ miles away); The Willoughby University of Lake Erie Medical College 1834-1847 (approx. 2½ miles away); Airborne Memorial Bridge (approx. 2½ miles away).
Regarding Kirtland Temple. The Kirtland Temple was designated as a national historic landmark in 1976:
Statement of Significance (as of designation - December 8, 1976):
Built in 1834 by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latterday Saints during their brief sojourn in Ohio, this structure combines Federal and Gothic Revival design elements. The result is individualistic and typical of those Mormon structures that were the beginning of a series of exotic structures in wood and stone.
Also see . . .
1. Kirtland Temple: A National Historic Landmark. Temple website homepage (Submitted on September 20, 2009.)
2. Kirtland Temple. Wikipedia article on the Kirtland Temple. (Submitted on September 20, 2009.)
3. Temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Kirtland Temple. Site gives a detailed history of the Kirtland Temple. (Submitted on September 20, 2009.)
Additional keywords. LDS (Mormon) history
Credits. This page was last revised on May 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2009. This page has been viewed 1,725 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 20, 2009. 5. submitted on September 21, 2009. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Close-Up photo of the Ohio Historical Society Marker seen in Photo #2. Photos of interior of Temple. • Can you help?