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

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Poland
(Logo in Polish)
A meetinghouse in Warsaw Poland
AreaEurope Central
Members2,178 (2023)[1]
Districts1
Branches11
Missions1
FamilySearch Centers6[2]

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

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Membership in Poland
YearMembership
1989*<100
19991,094
20091,552
20192,058
20222,184
*Membership was published as a rounded number.
Source: Wendall J. Ashton; Jim M. Wall, Deseret News, various years, Church Almanac Country Information: Poland[1]

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 president Spencer 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]

District and congregations

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Poland is located in Poland
Warsaw (FHC)
Warsaw (FHC)
Łódź (FHC)
Łódź (FHC)
Wrocław (FHC)
Wrocław (FHC)
Legnica
Legnica
Poznań
Poznań
Szczecin
Szczecin
Bydgoszcz (FHC)
Bydgoszcz (FHC)
Gdańsk (FHC)
Gdańsk (FHC)
Białystok
Białystok
Lublin
Lublin
Kraków
Kraków
Katowice
Katowice
Kielce (FHC)
Kielce (FHC)
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

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The Book of Mormon in Polish.

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]

Temples

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As of February 2023, Poland is part of the Freiberg Germany Temple District

edit
Location:
Announced:
Groundbreaking:
Dedicated:
Rededicated:
Size:
Style:
Notes:
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]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Facts and Statistics: Statistics by Country: Poland", Newsroom, LDS Church, retrieved 3 June 2023
  2. ^ Poland Family History Centers, familysearch.org, retrieved August 22, 2022
  3. ^ "Deseret News 1991 to 1992 Church Almanac: Country Information: Poland", Church News, Deseret News
  4. ^ "Country Resources: Poland", Cumorah.com, retrieved 31 May 2021
  5. ^ Zełwągi
  6. ^ a b c Hall, Richard; Avant, Gerry; Stahle, Shaun, eds. (February 2012). "Poland". 2012 Church Almanac. Deseret News. p. 547. ISBN 978-1-60907-002-1.
  7. ^ "Classic Maps", churchofjesuschrist.org, retrieved 2021-05-14
  8. ^ "Eight new missions announced", Church News, Deseret News, 3 March 1990
  9. ^ "Freiberg Germany Temple to Be Rededicated" (Press release). The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 16 August 2002. Retrieved 29 September 2006.
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