WASHINGTON 鈥� Millions of people have driven past the Mormon temple in Kensington, Maryland, overlooking the Capital Beltway, but far fewer have ever been inside.聽But thanks to a massive renovation project, the public will have the chance to go inside for the first time since the temple opened in 1974.
鈥淭he temple,鈥� as it鈥檚 often called in traffic reports sits on a wooded hill, which is why it looks even taller than it actually is to passing traffic.
鈥淵ou see it almost floating above the trees, and so certainly we see it as iconic from that standpoint,鈥� said Elder Kevin Calderwood, one of the leaders of the church.聽 鈥淏ut for us it鈥檚 more sacred; it鈥檚 a sacred place where we can participate in ordinances that bind our family together.鈥�
The temple isn鈥檛 even used to host typical Sunday services.聽It鈥檚 where the faithful 鈥� and only the faithful 鈥� go for weddings, baptisms and other traditional events.
鈥淥ur task is to embrace the great things that they did [when the building was built],鈥� said Roger Hansen, of CRSA Architecture, in Salt Lake City, who is helping to lead the renovation project. 鈥淏ut with a 40-year-old building that hasn鈥檛 ever had a major renovation, now is the time, and an opportunity for us.鈥�
鈥淲e鈥檙e upgrading in significant ways,鈥� Hansen said, including the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. 鈥淢any of the finishes throughout the building have reached their end of life.鈥�
In recent years, cranes and other equipment have sprung up around the temple as crews have already been doing some minor work on the exterior, including some of the famous golden spires.
But now 鈥渨e can be more comprehensive,鈥� Hansen said. 鈥淲e can also address some of the life safety and code requirements that have changed in the 40 years that the temple has been in service 鈥� upgrading accessibility and other things.鈥�
The construction firms leading the project are from Salt Lake City, but local subcontractors are heavily involved in the work.
The work is expected to be completed in 2020; a hard deadline for completion hasn鈥檛 been set, but it might be worth keeping an eye on the progress 鈥� if you鈥檝e ever wanted to actually go inside, your opportunity is coming.
鈥淥nce this has been renovated in 2020, there will be a period of 30 to 45 days where we welcome everyone to come to the temple鈥� for a full tour, Calderwood said.
It鈥檚 likely to be one the most sought-after tours in the region.
鈥淚n 1974 [when the temple first opened], 750,000 people came through the temple for that open house,鈥� Calderwood said. 鈥淪o now we鈥檙e 44 years later 鈥� I think a million, million-and-a-half people 鈥� are going to want to come and see and walk through the temple.鈥�
And then, he added, 鈥淲hen it鈥檚 dedicated, it becomes very sacred,鈥� and only those in good standing with the faith will be allowed inside again.
At least until it undergoes another massive renovation.
