HOUSTON, Texas, August 29, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — Rising flood waters in the wake of Hurricane Harvey have breached the LDS church’s Houston Texas Temple, according to a press release by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“It appears water to the depth of four or five inches has gone inside the temple.” said the Houston Texas Temple president Marshall Hayes. “That includes a baptistry, a marriage waiting room, dressing rooms, kitchen and laundry. We haven’t been able to go inside so we really don’t know the extent of the damage.”
The temple has been closed as a precaution since Saturday morning as the wind and rain approached the Houston area.
“The creek became a river and the current is so strong that it’s been dangerous to even try and approach the temple,” Hayes said. Nearby Cyprus Creek rose by more than 20 feet once the storm hit.
Plans to build the temple were first announced September 30, 1997. Ground was broken in 1998 by President Gordon B. Hinckley. It was dedicated in August, 2000.
