Cleveland is located along the southern shore of Lake Erie and is located about 20 miles from the Church’s first temple in Kirtland. The temple in Kirtland was dedicated in 1836, and the property is owned by the Community of Christ. This will be the state’s second temple. The Columbus Ohio Temple was dedicated in September 1999. There are more than 62,000 Latter-day Saints in approximately 125 congregations in Ohio.
Walt Flory, a 70-year-old member from Canton, Ohio, fights emotion when sharing his feelings about a future temple in nearby Cleveland. President Nelson’s announcement was an answer to many prayers.
Following the news, Flory asked his 97-year-old mother if she ever thought the day would come when a temple would be built in Cleveland. “She said no. It was something that did not seem possible. We are excited beyond words.”
The Cleveland-area youth, he added, will be strengthened by having a temple so close to their homes.
Akron Ohio Stake News 