The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Switzerland

Last updated
Flag of Switzerland.svg
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Switzerland
2018-Muenchenbuchsee-Tempel.jpg
The Bern Switzerland Temple
Area Europe Central
Members 9,205 (2022) [1]
Stakes 5
Wards 26
Branches 8
Total Congregations [2] 34
Temples 1
Family History Centers 13 [3]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Switzerland has a rich history beginning in 1850. [4] As of December 31, 2022, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) reported 9,205 members in Switzerland, organized in five stakes and 34 congregations (26 wards and 8 branches).

Contents

History

Membership in Switzerland [5] [1]
YearMembership
1855*100
1904*1,000
19301,632
19401,348
19501,731
19603,235
19704,685
19795,390
1989*6,200
19997,043
20097,939
20199,071
20229,205
*Membership was published as an estimate.

Missionary work for LDS Church began in Switzerland on November 24, 1850, when the Swiss Mission was created. [4] The Swiss Mission later became the Swiss and Italian Mission and the Swiss, Italian, and German Mission. [4] Many early converts were baptized, but then emigrated to the United States until the 1950s.

On September 11, 1955, the LDS Church completed its first temple in Europe when the Bern Switzerland Temple was completed in Zollikofen. The temple was later remodeled and rededicated by Gordon B. Hinckley in October 1992. [6] In 1994, Howard W. Hunter visited Switzerland as the new LDS Church president. [7]

Hans B. Ringger was a Swiss national who was a leader of the LDS Church in Switzerland. [8] Born on 2 November 1925, in Zurich, Switzerland, his grandmother, Elizabeth Zoebeli Ringger, joined the LDS Church in 1896 and his parents, Carl Ringger, Jr., and Maria Reif, were also active members. [9] Ringger eventually became an LDS Church general authority. Stephen Nadauld and Douglas Bischoff served as missionaries for the church in Switzerland, with Nadauld later serving as president of the Switzerland Geneva Mission from 2003 to 2006. [10]

As of 2020, members total approximately 8,000, with many coming from second, third, and fourth generations of members in Switzerland. Forty congregations meet in 27 meetinghouses. [11]

Stakes

Switzerland adm location map.svg
ButtonGreen.svg
Bern
ButtonGreen.svg
Geneva
ButtonGreen.svg
Lausanne
ButtonGreen.svg
St Gallen
ButtonGreen.svg
Zürich
ButtonRed.svg
class=notpageimage|
Stake Centers and Temple in Switzerland
Red=Operating Temple
Green = Stake Center
The Zurich meetinghouse and Stake Center Zurich LDS Church stake center.jpg
The Zurich meetinghouse and Stake Center

As of February 2023, the Switzerland had the following stakes and congregations: [12]

StakeOrganizedWardsBranchesMission
Bern Switzerland Stake [13] 3 May 198161Alpine German-Speaking
Geneva Switzerland Stake* [13] 20 June 19823France Lyon
Lausanne Switzerland Stake* [13] 28 Aug 200552France Lyon
Milan Italy West*7 June 19811Italy Milan
St Gallen Switzerland Stake* [13] 5 May 200773Alpine German-Speaking
Zürich Switzerland Stake* [13] 28 Oct 196152Alpine German-Speaking

Missions

Temples

Temple mormon Berne.JPG
edit
Location:
Announced:
Groundbreaking:
Dedicated:
Rededicated:
Size:
Style:
Notes:		 Münchenbuchsee, Switzerland
July 1, 1952 by David O. McKay
August 5, 1953 by David O. McKay
September 11, 1955 by David O. McKay
November 23, 1992 by Gordon B. Hinckley
35,546 sq ft (3,302.3 m2) on a 7-acre (2.8 ha) site
Modern, single spire - designed by Edward O. Anderson
Bern was the first temple to present the endowment using a movie, necessitated by the multiple languages required to support the members in Europe.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Marshall Islands</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Marshall Islands refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in the Marshall Islands. As of 2022, there were 6,832 members in 13 congregations, making it the second largest body of LDS Church members in Micronesia, behind Kiribati. The Marshall Islands has the second most LDS Church members per capita in Micronesia, and the fourth most members per capita of any independent country in the world, behind Tonga, Samoa, and Kiribati.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Singapore</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Singapore refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Singapore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Connecticut</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Connecticut refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Connecticut. As of 2022, the LDS Church reported 15,838 members in 36 congregations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Utah</span> LDS Church and its members in Utah

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Utah refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Utah. Utah has more church members than any other U.S. state or country. The LDS Church is also the largest denomination in Utah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Democratic Republic of the Congo</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Democratic Republic of the Congo refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). As of 2021, the LDS Church reported 102,862 members in 269 congregations in the DRC, making it the third largest body of LDS Church members in Africa, behind Nigeria and Ghana. Currently, the DRC ranks as having the 16th highest LDS growth rate among countries of the world, with an annual growth rate of 13 percent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Brazil</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was established in Brazil in 1926 with the opening of the South American Mission. Missionary work was focused on small German immigrant colonies in South Brazil. The LDS Church was forced to expand missionary work to Brazilians and Portuguese speakers when non-Portuguese languages were banned in public meetings in 1938. The Brazil Mission was opened on February 9, 1935, with Rulon S. Howells as mission president. The first Portuguese translation of the Book of Mormon was published in 1939.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Paraguay</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Paraguay refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Paraguay. The first branch was established in 1948. Since then, the LDS Church in Paraguay has grown to more than 98,000 members in 133 congregations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Montana</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Montana refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Montana. The church's first congregation in Montana was organized in 1895. It has since grown to 51,715 members in 129 congregations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ukraine</span> Presence of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ukraine

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ukraine refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Ukraine. In January 1991, there were 40 members in one congregation in Ukraine. In December 2022, there were 10,344 members in 46 congregations. In 2022, LDS Membership dropped from 11,216 to 10,344, likely due to the Russia-Ukraine war.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Nicaragua</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Nicaragua refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Nicaragua. The first convert was baptized in 1954 and the first Nicaraguan mission opened in 1989. As of December 31, 2022, there were 101,361 members in 109 congregations in Nicaragua.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Caledonia refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in New Caledonia. At year-end 1983, there were about 100 members in New Caledonia. In 2022, there were 2,494 members in 9 congregations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Netherlands</span> Presence of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Netherlands

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was first brought to the Netherlands in 1841, with the first congregation officially established in 1862 in Amsterdam. A mission to the Netherlands was organized in 1864, and the Dutch translation of the Book of Mormon was published in 1890. Membership grew in the 20th century despite challenges posed by World War I, the Great Depression, and the German invasion of the Netherlands during World War II; approximately 14,000 people were baptized into the Church during its first 100 years in the Netherlands. The Dutch government officially recognized the Church in 1955. The Netherlands Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was established in 1961, becoming the first stake established on the European continent. The Hague Netherlands Temple was completed in 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Madagascar</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Madagascar refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Madagascar. In 1990, a small congregation was created in Madagascar. In 2022, there were 14,353 members in 43 congregations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Poland</span> Presence of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Poland

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Poland refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Poland. At year-end 1989, there were less than 100 members in Poland. In 2022, there were 2,184 members in 11 congregations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Jamaica</span> Church in Jamaica

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Jamaica refers to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Jamaica. In 1980, there were 85 members in Jamaica. In 2021, there were 6,718 members in 18 congregations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Albania</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been present in Albania since at least the early 1990s. In 1993, there were approximately 100 members in the country. In 2022, there were 3,314 members in 14 congregations.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Guianas refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in the Guianas, primarily French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname. These countries are culturally and linguistically similar to Caribbean island nations and territories than to the rest of South America. Consequently, this is part of the Caribbean Area of the LDS Church rather than part of other South American areas. These countries are part of missions headquartered in Trinidad and Barbados.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Belize</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Belize refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Belize. The first branch was organized in Belize City in 1980. In 2022, there were 5,534 members in 12 congregations.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Malawi refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Malawi. The first convert baptisms were performed in 1992. In 2022, there were 3,872 members in 12 congregations. Malawi was one of the fastest growing countries for LDS Church membership over the past decade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Bulgaria</span> Latter Day Saints Church

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Bulgaria refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Bulgaria. The first convert baptisms were performed in November 1990. In 2022, there were 2,398 members in 7 congregations.

References

  1. 1 2 "Facts and Statistics: Statistics by Country: Switzerland", Newsroom, LDS Church, retrieved 3 June 2023
  2. ↑ Excludes groups meeting separate from wards and branches.
  3. ↑ Switzerland Family History Centers, familysearch.org, retrieved August 22, 2022
  4. 1 2 3 "Missionary Database: Swiss Mission", history.churchofjesuschrist.org, 2020. Retrieved on 17 March 2020.
  5. ↑ Wendall J. Ashton; Jim M. Wall, Deseret News, various years, Church Almanac Country Information: Switzerland
  6. ↑ Cowan, Richard O. "The Pivotal Swiss Temple", Regional Studies in Latter-day Saint Church History: Europe, 2003. Retrieved on 17 March 2020.
  7. ↑ "PRES. HUNTER'S TRAVELS, APPEARANCES", Deseret News , 4 March 1995. Retrieved on 17 March 2020.
  8. ↑ Neuenschwander, Dennis B. "Elder Hans B. Ringger: ‘One of the truly great souls’", Church News , 13 November 2010. Retrieved on 17 March 2020.
  9. ↑ "Elder Hans B. Ringger", churchofjesuschrist.org, 2010. Retrieved on 17 March 2020.
  10. ↑ "DOUGLAS BISCHOFF DIES, LONGTIME WORKER FOR GOP", Deseret News , 13 May 1991. Retrieved on 17 March 2020.
  11. ↑ Weidmann, Yves."Switzerland: Facts and Statistics", Church News, 2020. Retrieved on 17 March 2020.
  12. ↑ "Bern Switzerland Temple District", Church of Jesus Christ Temples, retrieved July 10, 2022
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 Hall, Richard; Avant, Gerry; Stahle, Shaun (eds.). "Switzerland". 2012 Church Almanac . Deseret News. p. 573. ISBN   978-1-60907-002-1.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.