The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in West Virginia refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and its members in West Virginia. The official church membership as a percentage of general population was 0.92% in 2014.[3] According to the 2014 Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life survey, roughly 2% of West Virginians self-identify themselves most closely with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[4] The LDS Church is the 9th largest denomination in West Virginia.[5]
| The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in West Virginia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Area | NA Northeast |
| Members | 17,294 (2022)[1] |
| Stakes | 4 |
| Wards | 23 |
| Branches | 11 |
| Total Congregations | 34 |
| Missions | 1 |
| Family History Centers | 14[2] |
History edit
| Year | Membership |
|---|---|
| 1930 | 2,285 |
| 1983 | 8,304 |
| 1989* | 10,000 |
| 1999 | 12,290 |
| 2009 | 16,711 |
| 2019 | 17,143 |
| *Membership was published as a rounded number. Source: Wendall J. Ashton; Jim M. Wall, Deseret News, various years, Church Almanac State Information: West Virginia[1] | |
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2021) |
Joseph Smith visited West Virginia in 1832 and that same year, two missionaries for the Church baptized 40 converts in the state.[6]
In 1884, a congregation of 26 people was organized in the area.[6]
On August 23, 1970, the first stake in West Virginia was organized in Charleston.[7] Ezra Taft Benson, then an apostle of the church, presided at the organization of the stake.[8]
Stakes edit
As of August 2023:
| Stake | Organized | Mission | Temple District |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buena Vista Virginia Stake[a] | 6 Jun 1999 | West Virginia Charleston | Richmond Virginia |
| Charleston West Virginia Stake | 23 Aug 1970 | West Virginia Charleston | Columbus Ohio |
| Clarksburg West Virginia Stake | 6 May 1979 | West Virginia Charleston | Washington D.C. |
| Huntington West Virginia Stake | 7 Nov 1982 | West Virginia Charleston | Louisville Kentucky |
| Martinsburg West Virginia Stake | 29 Feb 2004 | Maryland Baltimore | Washington D.C. |
| Pembroke Virginia Stake[a] | 14 May 1978 | West Virginia Charleston | Richmond Virginia |
| Pittsburgh Pennsylvania West Stake[a] | 7 Sep 2014 | Pennsylvania Pittsburgh | Columbus Ohio |
| Waynesboro Virginia Stake[a] | 28 May 1978 | Virginia Richmond | Richmond Virginia |
| Winchester Virginia Stake[a] | 22 May 1977 | Maryland Baltimore | Washington D.C. |
Mission edit
Temples edit
West Virginia is divided among the Washington D.C. Temple, Louisville Kentucky Temple, and Columbus Ohio Temple districts.
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b "Facts and Statistics: Statistics by State:West Virginia", Newsroom, LDS Church, retrieved 29 May 2023
- ^ Category:West Virginia Family History Centers, familysearch.org, retrieved April 11, 2022
- ^ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints membership statistics (United States)
- ^ "Adults in West Virginia: Religious composition of adults in West Virginia". Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. Pew Research Center. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
- ^ "The Association of Religion Data Archives | State Membership Report". Thearda.com. Retrieved September 3, 2021. Note:While it's the ninth largest denomination in West Virginia, it's the tenth largest denomination when "nondenominational" is considered as a denomination.
- ^ a b "Facts and Statistics", Church News, 2020. Retrieved on 31 March 2020.
- ^ "August 23, 1970: The First Mormon "Stake" in West Virginia is Organized in Charleston", West Virginia Public Broadcasting, 23 August 2019. Retrieved on 31 March 2020.
- ^ "Mormons To Hear Benson At Charleston Conference". The Beckly Post-Herald and Register. 22 August 1970. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
External links edit
- Newsroom (West Virginia)
- ComeUntoChrist.org Latter-day Saints Visitor site
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Official site
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