MESA, AZ — The historic Mesa Temple received unexpected recognition over Easter weekend, winning the 2026 Faith and Form International Award for Religious Architecture and Art for a renovation completed in 2021, church leaders and local officials said.
GSBS Architects said the award honored improvements to the temple’s interior and exterior that, among other benefits, made the annual Easter pageant easier to view at sunset. The temple, one of six Latter-day Saints temples in Arizona, reopened this year after being closed for about 18 months for the renovation.
“The award was a surprise to us,” said Candice Copple, speaking for LDS leadership in Arizona. “It’s not something we would seek, but certainly we’re honored the beauty was recognized and the hard work that so many people put into restoring this building for the community.”…