North Visitors' Center, Salt Lake City

The North Visitors’ Center in Salt Lake City, a notable landmark on Temple Square, has long served as an inviting gateway for visitors. Nestled between the historic Tabernacle and the Conference Center, this center featured a truly awe-inspiring centerpiece: an 11-foot Italian marble statue of Christus, the work of famed Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen.

Created for The Church of Our Lady in Copenhagen, the Christus replica has been an emblematic presence since its installation in the 1960s. Set against a backdrop of a stunning mural, the statue sat in a domed room on the second floor, with outstretched arms beneath a painted celestial dome — replicating the Northern Hemisphere’s midnight sky as it appeared on April 6, 1830, the day The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was founded.

The North Visitors’ Center also provided engaging exhibits. Visitors could explore a 14-square-foot interactive map of ancient Jerusalem on the ground floor, complete with artwork narrating events from the life of Jesus Christ. On the basement level, displays offered insights into prophetic figures from The Book of Mormon, stretching from 6,000 B.C. to the time of Joseph Smith. The center even provided practical comforts like cool water and exceptionally clean restrooms, creating a restful environment for guests.

Designed by architect Edward Anderson, this visitors’ center opened in 1963, becoming a central spot for art, religious history, and multimedia exhibits related to the Church. With the ongoing renovation of Temple Square beginning in 2020, the Christus statue has been temporarily moved to storage for conservation and will be reinstalled after the renovation. In the meantime, the Conference Center has taken on a larger role as the main visitors’ venue.