Thousands of people visited The Church of Latter-day Saints’s new Cody temple during a recent open house.

According to the church, 18,527 people from Park County, other parts of Wyoming and other states toured the facility between Aug. 27 and Sept. 12. Those guests were led through the building by 1,650 church volunteers.

It was a rare event, as open houses are the only time the general public can enter a temple; once a temple is officially dedicated, the church only allows members in good standing to participate in the sacred ceremonies held inside.

Located near the Olive Glenn Golf Course off Skyline Drive, the run-up to the temple’s construction was marked by controversy and a contentious planning and zoning process. However, church leaders have said they believe the building will prove to be a positive addition to the community. In an appreciative Facebook post that followed the open house, local church officials wrote that visitors shared “kind words appreciating the beauty and peace of the Cody Temple, the temple grounds and of the Lord.”

During the Cody City Council’s Sept. 15 meeting — where the city recognized Constitution Week — Councilman Jeremy Laing also thanked everyone who visited the temple.

“It was a well-attended event and with it being Constitution Week and the right to pursue happiness, it was befitting that we had over 18,500 guests come through,” Laing said.

One of the international church’s top leaders, Elder Clark Gilbert, is scheduled to dedicate the Cody temple on Sunday, Oct. 25, in a ceremony that will be broadcast to local congregations.