The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Belgium
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| The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Belgium | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Area | Europe Central |
| Members | 6,602 (2022)[1] |
| Stakes | 2 |
| Wards | 10 |
| Branches | 2 |
| Total Congregations[2] | 12 |
| Temples | 1 Announced |
| Family History Centers | 8[3] |
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Belgium refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Belgium. Most of the growth of the church in Belgium occurred during the 1960s. This growth has since slowed.
| Year | Membership |
|---|---|
| 1930 | 339 |
| 1940 | 264 |
| 1950 | 459 |
| 1960 | 540 |
| 1970 | 2,667 |
| 1979 | 4,347 |
| 1989* | 4,400 |
| 1999 | 5,771 |
| 2009 | 5,980 |
| 2019 | 6,605 |
| 2022 | 6,602 |
| *Membership was published as a rounded number. Source: Wendall J. Ashton; Jim M. Wall, Deseret News, various years, Church Almanac Country Information: Belgium[1] | |
History[edit]
The first known member to come to Belgium is Mischa Markow, a Hungarian native who was converted in Turkey, who visited in 1888. He preached and baptized Belgium's first know converts, Henreite Esselman and her son, Fredrick Esselman on October 17, 1888. Other members of their family were baptized later. A branch in Antwerp was formed in January 1891. Belgium was added to the Netherlands Mission that same year. Proselyting ceased during World War I and only a few scattered members lived in Belgium in 1930.[4] Elder Charles Didier of the Presidency of the Seventy noted that when he and his family first attended an LDS Church service in the 1950s, there were fewer than 15 members in the congregation, five of whom were members of his family.[5]
Three missionaries were injured during the 2016 Brussels bombings.[6]
Stakes[edit]
As of February 2023, the following stakes exist in Belgium:
| Stake | Organized | Mission | Temple | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antwerp Belgium | 16 Oct 1994 | Belgium/Netherlands | The Hague Netherlands | Flanders |
| Brussels Belgium | 20 Feb 1977 | France Paris | Paris France | Brussels and Wallonia |
Missions[edit]
The Franco Belgian Mission was created in 1963 as a division of the French Mission. The name was changed to the France Belgium on June 10, 1970 then The Belgium Brussels Mission on June 20, 1974. A second Belgium mission, Belgium Antwerp Mission existed, from 1975 to 1982, and from 1990 to 1995.[7] In 2002, the Belgium Brussels mission was renamed Belgium Brussels/Netherlands Mission, and in 2010 was renamed to Belgium/Netherlands Mission with the southern portion going to the France Paris Mission.
Belgium is currently split between the church's Belgium/Netherlands Mission (north) and the church's France Paris Mission (south).
Temples[edit]
On April 4, 2021, the intent to construct the Brussels Belgium Temple was announced by church president Russell M. Nelson.[8]
| edit | ||
| Location: Announced: | Brussels, Belgium 4 April 2021 by Russell M. Nelson[9] | ||
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Facts and Statistics: Statistics by Country: Belgium", Newsroom, LDS Church, retrieved 31 May 2023
- ^ Excludes groups meeting separate from wards and branches.
- ^ Belgium Family History Centers, familysearch.org, retrieved August 22, 2022
- ^ Jenson, Andrew (1941). "Encyclopedic History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints". Deseret News, printer. p. 25.
- ^ Didier, Charles (April 2006), "The Church: A Community of Saints", Ensign Magazine, retrieved January 31, 2023
- ^ Lindsey, Daryl (March 22, 2016), "3 LDS missionaries from Utah injured in Belgium explosion, Church officials say", KUTV Channel 2, retrieved January 31, 2013
- ^ Mortimer, Wm. James (2000), 1999-2000 Church Almanac, Deseret Morning News, pp. 422–432, ISBN 1573454915
- ^ Pierce, Scott D.; Noyce, David (April 4, 2021), Where the 20 new Latter-day Saint temples, including a 26th in Utah, will be built, Salt Lake Tribune, retrieved January 31, 2023
- ^ "Prophet Announces Twenty New Temples at April 2021 General Conference", Newsroom, LDS Church, 4 April 2021
External links[edit]
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Belgium and the Netherlands) - Official Site (Dutch)
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Belgium and the Netherlands Newsroom (Dutch)
- ComeUntoChrist.org Latter-day Saints Visitor site
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