The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that a temple will be built in Portland, Maine — the first in the state. The announcement came Sunday evening, Dec. 14, during a stake Christmas fireside for the Portland, Maine, Stake.
Elder Allen D. Haynie, General Authority Seventy and president of the U.S. Northeast Area, read a statement from the First Presidency confirming the temple construction. The exact location and timing will be shared later.
“This is a reason for all of us to rejoice and thank God for such a significant blessing — one that will allow more frequent access to the ordinances, covenants, and power that can only be found in the house of the Lord,” the statement said.
The Portland, Maine, Temple is the first announced by the First Presidency since President Dallin H. Oaks became the 18th President of the Church on Oct. 14, 2025. Maine has more than 11,000 Latter-day Saints in 27 congregations. The Portland, Maine, Stake, created earlier this year, is one of three stakes in the state; members are currently part of the Boston, Massachusetts Temple district.
The announcement came during a Christmas fireside titled “Come Let Us Adore Him,” featuring music and messages about the birth of Jesus Christ. Elder Haynie attended with his wife, Sister Deborah Haynie.
With this announcement, the total number of LDS temples worldwide — operating, under construction, or announced — rises to 383. Unlike recent years, the temple was announced outside of a general conference session, following a pattern of announcements used more commonly before the administrations of Presidents Monson and Nelson.
Maine’s LDS history dates back to 1832 when missionaries first arrived by canoe across the Piscataqua River. Branches were established in Saco and the Fox Islands by 1837. Church activity resumed in the early 20th century, and the state’s first stake was organized on June 23, 1968.