{{Short description|Religious temple in Chanhassen, Minnesota}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2026}} {{multiple image|width=300|direction=vertical|header=Temple of ECK|image1=Eckankar (49119645616) (cropped).jpg|caption1=Overhead view|image2=2013-0718-TempleofEck.jpg|caption2=From the parking lot}} The '''Temple of ECK''' is the center of the Eckankar faith in the United States. It is located near Lake Ann in Chanhassen, Minnesota, on about {{cvt|174|acres}} of land. The land was purchased by the church in 1985,<ref name="Bentley-1989a"/> and the temple was built at a cost of $8.2 million, with construction beginning in 1989.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Miller |first1=Timothy |title=America's Alternative Religions |url=https://archive.org/details/americasalternat00mill |url-access=registration |date=1995 |page=[https://archive.org/details/americasalternat00mill/page/366 366] }}</ref> The building was completed in 1990.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lewis |first1=James |title=The Encyclopedia of Cults, Sects, and New Religions |date=1998 |page=206 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Barnes |first1=Sam |title=Members of temple say they have the passport for spiritual travels |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-members-of-temple-say-they/193508743/ |access-date=March 16, 2026 |work=Star Tribune |date=January 18, 2006 |page=W2 }}</ref>
==Opposition== Five hundred residents of the Chanhassen signed a petition opposing the construction of the building.<ref name="Furst-1989">{{cite news |last1=Furst |first1=Randy |title=Some in Chanhassen oppose complex for Eckankar group |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-some-in-chanhassen-oppose-c/193508974/ |access-date=March 16, 2026 |work=Star Tribune |date=March 1, 1989 |pages=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-church/193509015/ 5B] }}</ref> Some residents were worried about property values and an allegedly cult-like nature of the religion.<ref name="Bentley-1989a"/> Others found it to be a poor use of land, thinking it should be used for development that would create a larger tax base. 2,576 people signed a petition asking the city to purchase the land.<ref name="Klauda-1989">{{cite news |last1=Klauda |first1=Paul |title=Economics, religion clash in Chanhassen |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-economics-religion-clash-i/193515174/ |access-date=March 16, 2026 |date=April 17, 1989 |page=8Aw }}</ref> Nonetheless, after hearing 2{{1/2}} hours of feedback from residents,<ref>{{cite news |title=Commission OKs permit for church group |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/west-central-tribune-commission-oks-perm/193509462/ |access-date=March 16, 2026 |work=West Central Tribune |agency=Associated Press |page=A3 }}</ref> the Chanhassen Planning Commission voted on March 1, 1989, to recommend to the city council that a construction permit be issued.<ref name="Bentley-1989a">{{cite news |last1=Bentley |first1=Rosalind |title=Permit for church recommended in Chanhassen |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-permit-for-church-recommend/193509264/ |access-date=March 16, 2026 |work=Star Tribune |date=March 2, 1989 |page=3Be }}</ref> The city council approved the permit for the 800-seat church on May 22, 1989.<ref name="Bentley-1989b">{{cite news |last1=Bentley |first1=Rosalind |title=Chanhassen Eckankar permit OK'd by council |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-chanhassen-eckankar-permit/193509854/ |access-date=March 16, 2026 |work=Star Tribune |date=May 23, 1989 }}</ref>
==Building== Excavation began in October 1989, and the temple was dedicated a year later on October 22, 1990.<ref name="Klemp-1991">{{cite book |last1=Klemp |first1=Harold |title=The Temple of ECK |date=1991 |publisher=ECKANKAR |location=Minneapolis |url=https://archive.org/details/templeofeck00klem |access-date=March 16, 2026 }}</ref> Its architectural style is defined by a "golden ziggurat", though more closely resembling a pyramid, symbolizing ascension.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Howe |first1=Jeffery W. |title=Houses of worship : an identification guide to the history and styles of American religious architecture |date=2003 |publisher=Thunder Bay Press |location=San Diego, Calif. |isbn=978-1-57145-970-1 |url=https://archive.org/details/housesofworshipi0000howe |access-date=March 16, 2026 }}</ref> Some 52,000 concrete blocks and 225 tons of steel were used in the building of the {{convert|50,000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} temple. The building contains classrooms, worship spaces, and other meeting areas.<ref name="Carleton-Temple"/> {{As of|2018}}, photos of the religion's then leader, Harold Klemp, hung in every room.<ref name="Hazzard-2018"/> A golden "EK" emblem sits above the main glass doors.<ref name="Carleton-Temple">{{cite web |title=The Temple · Eckankar |url=https://religionsmn.carleton.edu/exhibits/show/eckankar/the-temple |website=Religions in Minnesota |publisher=Carleton College |access-date=March 16, 2026 |archive-date=October 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251007032326/https://religionsmn.carleton.edu/exhibits/show/eckankar/the-temple |url-status=live }}</ref> The main 8,000-square foot sanctuary has seating for 800 people and a 1,000-square foot stage. A large, six-pointed stained glass blue star representing the Holy Spirit is on the ceiling.<ref name=Carleton-Chapel>{{cite web |title=The Chapel and The Sanctuary · Eckankar |url=https://religionsmn.carleton.edu/exhibits/show/eckankar/the-temple/chapelsanctuary |website=Religions in Minnesota |publisher=Carleton College |access-date=March 16, 2026 |archive-date=October 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251007032324/https://religionsmn.carleton.edu/exhibits/show/eckankar/the-temple/chapelsanctuary |url-status=live }}</ref>
The temple sits on {{convert|173|acres}} of land, making Eckankar the fourth-largest landowner in the city.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Adler |first1=Erin |title=New Age religion Eckankar makes its home in Chanhassen |url=http://www.startribune.com/new-age-religion-eckankar-makes-its-home-in-chanhassen/384356371/ |access-date=March 16, 2026 |date=June 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160626130304/http://www.startribune.com/new-age-religion-eckankar-makes-its-home-in-chanhassen/384356371/ |archive-date=June 26, 2016 |language=en }}</ref> Some {{convert|2|miles|km}} of prairie walking paths for contemplation are open to the public.<ref name="Hazzard-2018">{{cite news |last1=Hazzard |first1=Andrew |title=Spiritual movements ancient and modern develop roots in the southwest metro |url=https://www.twincities.com/2018/08/31/spiritual-movements-ancient-and-modern-develop-roots-in-the-southwest-metro/ |access-date=March 16, 2026 |work=Pioneer Press |date=August 31, 2018 }}</ref>
Prior to the construction of the temple, the Eckankar headquarters were in New Hope, Minnesota.<ref name="Furst-1989"/>
==References== {{Reflist}}
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Category:Religious buildings and structures in Minnesota Category:Religious buildings and structures completed in 1990 Category:1990 establishments in Minnesota Category:Chanhassen, Minnesota