The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Poland refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and its members in Poland. At year-end 1989, there were fewer than 100 members in Poland.[3] In 2022, there were 2,184 members in 11 congregations.
History
Membership in Poland
Year
Membership
1989*
<100
1999
1,094
2009
1,552
2019
2,058
2022
2,184
*Membership was published as a rounded number. Source: Wendall J. Ashton; Jim M. Wall, Deseret News, various years, Church Almanac Country Information: Poland[1]
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In 1892, the first missionaries entered and established the church in a portion of Germany that became Poland after World War II.[where?] The Wroclaw Branch was organized in 1909 and divided into three congregations by 1921.[4] In 1929, the first LDS Church built meetinghouse was completed for the Selbongen Branch (later Zełwągi).[5]
On May 30, 1977, the LDS Church was officially recognized by the Polish Government. Church presidentSpencer W. Kimball visited the country on October 24, 1977.[6]
The Warsaw meetinghouse was constructed and dedicated on June 22, 1991. Seminary and institute classes were introduced in 1991.[6]
The Potocki Archive was given to Polish officials by the LDS Church on December 19, 2000.[6] In 2016, Mateusz Turek, a native of Poland, and his wife, Adrienne, were the first natives called to preside over the Poland Warsaw Mission.[1]
LDS Church Locations as of February 2023 Orange = District Center and meetinghouse Purple = meetinghouse (FHC) = Family History Center White (FHC) = Family History Center located where there's not a meetinghouse
As of February 2023, the following congregations are located in the Poland Warsaw District which encompasses the entire country:[7]
Warsaw Poland District
Gmina Bydgoszcz (Bydgoszcz Branch)
Gmina Gdańsk (Gdańsk Branch)
Gmina Katowice (Katowice Branch)
Gmina Kraków (Kraków Branch)
Legnica Branch
Gmina Łódź (Łódź Branch)
Gmina Lublin (Lublin Branch)
Gmina Poznań (Poznań Branch)
Gmina Szczecin (Szczecin Branch)
Gmina Warszawa (Warszawa Branch)
Gmina Wrocław (Wroclaw Branch)
All congregations within a district are considered branches, regardless of size.
Missions
A number of couple missionaries served in Poland starting in 1977. In 1988, the first of the younger, proselyting missionaries arrived in Poland working out of the Austria Vienna East mission. In July 1990, the Poland Warsaw Mission was created, with Jeff Barnes and David Chandler being the first young missionaries called to serve there.[citation needed][8]
Freiberg, Germany 9 October 1982 by Spencer W. Kimball 23 April 1983 by Thomas S. Monson 29 June 1985 by Gordon B. Hinckley 7 September 2002 by Gordon B. Hinckley 21,500 sq ft (2,000 m2) on a 3.58-acre (1.45 ha) site Modern, single-spire design with German influence and use of Gothic-style arches - designed by Emil B. Fetzer and Rolf Metzner Originally without an angel Moroni statue, one was installed as part of the 2001–2002 renovations. It is the only temple ever to have been located behind the Iron Curtain.[9]