On the western outskirts of Kyiv, in Sofiivska Borshchahivka of Bucha District, right by the Zhytomyr highway, a white building with a high spire and a golden figure of an angel is visible. This is the Kyiv Ukraine Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose members are often called Mormons. Consecrated in 2010, it became the first temple of this church in the territory of the former Soviet Union and the 11th in Europe. For most people, it is primarily a prominent architectural structure visible from the road to Zhytomyr.
Twelve years from conception to consecration
The church announced its intention to build a temple in Ukraine on July 20, 1998 — eight years after the first missionaries arrived in the country. At that time, there were about five thousand members of this church in Ukraine. However, construction dragged on for nine years: it was difficult to obtain a land plot of three to four hectares. Work officially began on June 23, 2007. Before the opening of the Kyiv temple, Ukrainian faithful had to travel by bus to the nearest temple in Freiberg, Germany.
Before the consecration, from August 7 to August 21, 2010, the temple was open to everyone: people of various faiths came on tours. On August 29, 2010, it was consecrated by then-church president Thomas Monson, and the next day the temple began operating. In 2011, the Ministry of Regional Development and Construction recognized it as the best religious building constructed in Ukraine in 2010. At the end of February 2022, due to the Russian invasion, the temple was closed, and on October 16 of the same year, it reopened.
Granite, pysanky, and wheat spikes
The chief architect was Kyiv resident Viktor Yatsenko, who worked together with American Hanno Luessin. The facade is clad in light Portuguese granite with quartzite crystals. The 42-meter-high spire is topped by a gilded statue of the angel Moroni — it is present on most temples of this church. The building's area is 2,061 square meters, and the stained glass windows were crafted by American master Jürgen Zirzon.
Ukrainian motifs in the decor are noticeable to the attentive eye: the main decorative elements of the temple are pysanky and wheat spikes. The spikes recall Ukraine's agricultural glory, and pysanky are a symbol of the Resurrection. Around the building is a five-hectare plot with a well-kept garden, flowerbeds, and trees.
Can you go inside
After consecration, only church members with a special recommend may enter; Sunday worship services are not held in the temple because it is intended for ordinances. Casual visitors can view the building and garden from the outside, from the gates at 1 Yabluneva Street.
How to get there
The temple stands near the Zhytomyr highway (M-06) right past the Kyiv Ring Road, in Sofiivska Borshchahivka. From Zhytomyrska metro station, marshrutkas heading towards Borshchahivka and Zhytomyr run here. The best view of the building is in the evening when the illumination turns on.
What is nearby
A few kilometres away are the settlement of ancient Bilhorod in Bilohorodka and the Korchuvatnyk tract. Read more about the region in the article about Kyiv Polissia.
