MONTPELIER, Idaho — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced Bart Orr Christensen and Cherie Lynn Bullock Christensen will serve as the president and matron of the upcoming Montpelier Idaho Temple.
The Christensen’s are members of the faith’s Grace Idaho Stake. Bart Christensen, a Soda Springs native, is a temple sealer and former stake president, bishop and high councilor. Cherie Christensen, originally from Salt Lake City, is a temple worker and has served in various ward leadership roles, including Relief Society president and Young Women president.
Then-church President Russell M. Nelson announced the Montpelier temple in April 2022. Ground was broken for the project in June 2023, with Elder Ryan K. Olsen of the Quorum of the Seventy presiding over a ceremony attended by more than 600 people.
The 27,000-square-foot, two-story temple sits on a 2.6-acre site at the northeast corner of Washington and Sixth streets. Its exterior features a brick-like pattern and tall arched windows, topped by a central tower.
When dedicated, the Montpelier edifice will be the faith’s ninth temple in Idaho, marking its easternmost and southernmost location in the state. Montpelier was settled by Latter-day Saint pioneers in 1864 and named by Brigham Young after the capital of his native state, Vermont.