The latest news!

Here is the latest aerial shot of the temple....looking better every day!

Also, Elder Holbrook recently reported the following progress:
*The permanent roof is being installed following the installation of a temporary roof to allow us to work inside the building.
*The structural steel is erected, with the exception of the top 60' or so of the spire.
*The exterior steel window and door frames are installed and the metal studs for the exterior walls have been installed.
*The final basement floor has been poured and all of the main level concrete floors are poured and the concrete stairs at the font are poured.
*Rough electrical and plumbing is being installed and HVAC ductwork is being installed on the main level.
*Excavation has begun for the large underground storm water detention system, which will be installed under the parking lot in the southeast corner of the parking lot.

He and Sister Holbrook also wanted to extend their thanks to the many church members in the various stakes who have provided treats for the workers at the site. The workers are so appreciative of the recognition they're receiving as they build the Temple.

They report that they have many visitors, both members and non-members, at the owner trailer and we continue to encourage as many families and church groups as possible to visit the site while school is still out. After school begins, they will try to make themselves available to meet those who wish to come to the site on weekday evenings or on Saturday or Sunday afternoons and evenings.

Many, many thanks to Elder Kent and Sister Sherrie Holbrook! They are doing a wonderful work. Also, please keep sharing this site so we can broaden its reach in anticipation of the open house and dedication.

Stretching skyward!

Here's a great look at the Temple's newly finished metal roof deck!  

The piles of gravel in front of the building are the stone which will be placed inside the building as the base for the concrete floor slab. 

 

 

Gorgeous Aerial shot!

Check out this aerial view of the temple site!  Glorious!

 

Here are some construction progress details from Elder Holbrook:

 

Work at the Hartford Connecticut Temple construction site is moving along.  The majority of the steel is erected, with the exception of the spire, and the iron workers are busy welding the steel components.

The concrete floor of the mechanical mezzanine, located above the main floor of the temple, was recently poured, and the installation of underground plumbing lines and electrical conduits is underway so the main floor slab can be poured.

 

 

Work on the Steeple!

There's been a whole variety of work going on at the temple site in the last week or so.

The base of the spire was moved into position. The workers have been busy welding the steel frame pieces together. The large crane has been disassembled so that it can be used on another building site. The pipes and other pieces that will provide drainage under the site are being installed.

Take a closer look at the pictures to see all the action!



Above:  Workers are being lifted up to the newly fitted base of the spire to complete the process of securing it to the structure.





Above:  Pipes of all different sizes unloaded and awaiting installation as part of the drainage system for the temple site.



Above:  Installation of draining pipes along the Farmington Ave (Rt 4) side of the site.

The Process of Building a Temple!

Click here to read the rest of this excellent article from the Church's Newsroom about the construction of Mormon temples.

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/mormon-temple-building-process?fb_action_ids=286700098162092&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%7B%22286700098162092%22%3A287688391400564%7D&action_type_map=%7B%22286700098162092%22%3A%22og.likes%22%7D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D

The Steel work presses on!

On the morning of Tuesday 29th April 2014, the steelwork that forms the front entrance to the temple was being lifted into place and secured to the foundation. The pictures show one of the uprights being installed. Plenty of progress was ...made today, ahead of the rainy weather expected over the next few days.

The last photo shows a partially completed mock-up section of the temple walls that has been installed near the site office. It will allow the workers and the people from the Temple Department in Salt Lake to see what the finished walls will look like.

The yellow crane that was helping to lift the steelwork left the site at about 2pm on Monday, and now the work is being handled entirely by the larger crane.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aerial Photos

Here are the latest aerial shots.  Stunning!  Great views of the baptismal font foundation and overall site transformation. 

 

 

Construction Update---April 17, 2014

More steel was put in place on Thursday. The frame is looking more and more like the shape of the temple in the artist's renditions. The large crane is temporarily out of action after experiencing a problem on Wednesday afternoon, so a slightly smaller one was brought in to keep things moving along.

Earth-moving equipment has been busy at the back (southern) part of the temple site removing more soil and rock from the berm.

 

 

We're above ground!

The first of the steel went up today.  How awesome is that?!!

Today's movement

Today, the steel erection crane was moved into place.  Good day, sunshine!

Bring in the steel!

Look what has arrived at the temple site! The first two trailer loads of fabricated steel pieces ready to be lifted into place.

SAVE THE DATE

Construction Progress pic, April 2, 2014

With the warmer Spring weather finally upon us, the temple site is abuzz with activity. In this picture, workers are preparing for the baptistry walls to be poured (which was scheduled for later today). The latest news from Elder and Sister Holbrook is that the steelwork should start next week.

Its a Crane!

Here's a photo of the crane fully assembled and ready to be put into action. It's a VERY BIG crane towering over the site and dwarfing all the other construction machinery. It's still hard to fully appreciate the size of the temple....can't wait till it starts to lift the pieces into place!

Construction Progress Pic, March 29, 2014

Here's a pic from a couple of days ago...after the last bit of perimeter wall footing had been poured. Most of the structural concrete work is complete!

Blue Skies over the Temple's basement!

All the basement walls have now been poured, as well as the foundation walls for the baptismal font.   Elder Holbrook says that additional footings have also been poured on the east side of the building this week.  The waterproofing membrane has been installed on the mat footing and sections of the basement foundation walls.   Moving right along!

Latest Aerial photos!

Here are some great views of the newly poured basement foundation (that's where the baptistry will be) and the access road behind the temple. Two basement walls were poured last Friday! 

That concrete floor you see is 42 inches deep! Zoom in and check out the cool work going on in the basement. (For orientation: Farmington Ave. runs along left side of this photo.)

That's Farmington Ave. along the top of this pic. They're making great progress on the access road behind the temple---it runs along the bottom here. 

Look, you can see the Temple construction above ground.  Hooray!

Progress Pics, March 7,2014

Despite the snow and unseasonably cold weather, work continues on the temple site. The access road that will run from Melrose Drive behind the temple is beginning to take shape, and with much of the recent snow cleared from the ground around the temple footings and foundation, there is plenty going on. Chatting briefly with one of the workmen from the earthmoving contractor when these photos were taken, he was in good spirits in spite of the cold. Keep the treats for the workers coming - it's a nice "thank you" for all the days they're spending in the frigid outdoors to keep the construction work on our temple moving along!

 

The beginnings of what will become the access road that will run behind the temple from Melrose Drive.

 

 

Week of Feb. 17---More snow!

Buried in snow again! Underneath all this loveliness---52 tons of rebar (wow) getting tied into place. Almost ready to pour the concrete mat slab for the basement!

Cool Temple Infographic

 

Great infographic which illustrates the relative size and differing styles of temples around the world. Scroll through and see how Hartford fits in!
http://3dtemples.photogent.com/infographic/

Construction Update

Elder Holbrook reports that this week work is continuing on the new road which will provide access to the Temple from Melrose Drive.  Additional footings and foundation walls have been poured, and reinforcing steel is being installed for the huge concrete mat footing which will be poured in the basement area.  All this in the cold and the snow.  Thank heavens for hearty construction workers.  Here are some recent photos from the construction camera at the site.

Missionary work article on "Hartford Faith and Values"

A wonderful article on missionary work---written by Lyn Greenwood of the New Haven Stake---was just published on Hartford Faith and Values, a local religion news site. Very apropos, as "The Book of Mormon" musical opens next month in Hartford. Here's the real scoop on Mormon missionaries!  Great quotes from local members.  http://hartfordfavs.com/2014/02/03/mormon-missionaries-2/

Let it snow!

Following the 9+ inches of snow that fell on Wednesday, February 5th, workers are seen clearing the snow near the footings of the temple. The second photo shows the view from the back of the temple looking towards the site entrance. The waterproofing material on the foundations is visible in the foreground. There is a *LOT* of snow on the site, but the work continues!

Construction pic, February 3, 2014

Check out the latest picture from the construction camera at the Temple site.

Aerial Photos, February 2, 2014

Here are the latest aerial photos of the site. The footings have been poured. Hurrah for concrete!   The grey area is the baptistry and, if you look closely, you can see at its center the start of the elevator shaft.  Very cool.

Temple Photo, January 22, 2014

The photo shows two views of the temple site, both taken from Melrose Drive. The first was taken on July 11th 2013, and the second on January 22nd 2014. It's not until you see them that you realize how much has been done on the site in a little over 6 months.

Gilbert Arizona Temple featured on ABC!

Take a look at this piece produced by ABC15 in Arizona about the Gilbert Temple, entitled "The Gilbert Mormon Temple: A Rare Look Inside." The Gilbert Temple Open House is currently underway and this piece was timed to air at its beginning. Considering that the Hartford Temple Open House is slated for 2015 (!), this isn't far off for us! The youth at the end, preparing for their performance to celebrate the temple, will make you smile.

A Visit with Elder and Sister Holbrook

I spent some time with Elder and Sister Holbrook yesterday at the Temple site. Although it was cold and a bit snowy, there is a warmth there that will make you grateful for the wonderful blessing of the Hartford Connecticut Temple.

The Welcome Center (i.e. Owner's Trailer) is a must see. In it there are several displays about the Church, including a map with pins showing where each of the 170 Temples (141 operating, 13 under construction and 16 announced) are located around the world. Looking at that map you'll spot the Hartford Connecticut Temple easily. How fortunate we are to have Temples so close. My favorite part of the Welcome Center displays are the beautiful artist's renderings of the reception area, baptistry, instruction rooms and celestial room within the temple. Not only does the architecture of the Temple fit the community, but the interior design also reflects a definite New England style.

The artist's renderings of the Temple interior cannot be seen anywhere else. Please take time to visit the site and say hello (and thanks) to the Holbrooks. You'll feel God's love there and the experience will keep you excited for our Temple.

 

 

 

 

Construction Update, January 16, 2014

On Wednesday January 15th, workers began the task of connecting permanent electrical power to the site. This will allow the site sheds to be powered 24/7, rather than relying on the generator that has been used for the last few months.



Aerial Photos, January 14, 2014

 

Farmington Ave. (Route 4) is the larger road running from top to bottom of this pic....Melrose Road is the smaller one sprouting off left to right. On Melrose, two trailers flank the entrance to the temple site, which is fenced and not open to the public during construction. The trailer on the left is where Elder and Sister Kent Holbrook's office is located.

Farmington Ave. (Route 4) is the road running across the top of the pic. The deeply excavated square visible here is where the baptistry will be located. The black lines here are heating pads keeping the ground warm where they are working on pouring footings....the little red dot at the bottom of the lines is the heater!