The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Republic of the Congo
 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Republic of the Congo | |
|---|---|
| Area | Africa Central |
| Members | 12,626 (2024)[1] |
| Stakes | 4 |
| Wards | 30 |
| Branches | 7 |
| Total Congregations[2] | 37 |
| Missions | 1 |
| Temples |
|
| FamilySearch Centers | 3[3] |
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Republic of the Congo refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and its members living in the Republic of the Congo. The country was opened to the church's missionaries in 1991.[4] Since then, as of November 2025, the church has grown to 13,691 members in 37 congregations.[5]
History
The LDS Church's presence began in the 1980s when Congolese members returning from Europe requested missionaries. The first congregation was organized, and baptisms took place in 1991, the same year the church received official government recognition. The country was dedicated for missionary work in 1992. Despite civil unrest between 1997 and 1999, which sometimes led to the temporary withdrawal of missionaries, local members continued to support each other. The first stake was organized in Brazzaville in 2003, and the Republic of the Congo Brazzaville Mission was created in 2014.
| Year | Membership |
|---|---|
| 1971 | 10 |
| 1991 | 99 |
| 1995* | 1,000 |
| 1999 | 1,602 |
| 2004 | 3,404 |
| 2009 | 4,462 |
| 2014 | 6,053 |
| 2019 | 8,542 |
| 2024 | 12,626 |
| *Membership was published as an estimated or rounded number. Source: Jim M. Wall, Deseret News, various years, Church Almanac Country Information: Republic of the Congo, Windall J. Ashton[5] | |
Stakes
As of December 2025, the following stakes existed in the Republic of the Congo:
| Stake | Organized | Wards[6] | Branches[6] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazzaville Republic of Congo | 19 Oct 2003 | 6 | |
| Diata Republic of the Congo | 8 Nov 2020 | 5 | 1 |
| Kintélé Republic of the Congo | 30 Nov 2025 | 5 | |
| Makelekele Republic of Congo | 31 Aug 2014 | 8 | 2 |
| Pointe-Noire Republic of Congo | 19 Jul 2015 | 8 | 1 |
| Other | 7 |
The Dolisie Branch, Madingou Branch, Mindouli Branch, Nkayi Branch, Ouésso 1st Branch, Ouésso 2nd Branch, and the Republic of Congo Brazzaville Dispersed Members Unit are not part of a stake or district. The Republic of the Congo Brazzaville Dispersed Members Unit serves individuals and families not in proximity to a church meetinghouse.
Missions
The Republic of the Congo Brazzaville Mission boundaries is the same as the country's boundaries.
Temples
The Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple was dedicated on 14 April 2019 by Dale G. Renlund. While not in the Republic of the Congo, this temple is located in proximity to the stakes in the Brazzaville area. On April 3, 2022, church president Russell M. Nelson announced a temple will be built in Brazzaville.
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| Location: Announced: Groundbreaking: Dedicated: Size: |
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1 October 2011 by Thomas S. Monson[8][9] 12 February 2016[7] by Neil L. Andersen 14 April 2019 by Dale G. Renlund[10][11] 12,000 sq ft (1,100 m2) on a 5-acre (2.0 ha) site | ||
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|
||
| Location: Announced: Groundbreaking: Size: |
Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo 3 April 2022 by Russell M. Nelson[12][13] 23 August 2025 by Thierry K. Mutombo[14] 10,000 sq ft (930 m2) on a 1.5-acre (0.61 ha) site | ||
See also
References
- ^ https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/facts-and-statistics/country/republic-of-the-congo [bare URL]
- ^ Excludes groups meeting separate from wards and branches
- ^ Category:Republic of Congo Family History Centers, familysearch.org, retrieved 15 June 2023
- ^ of the Congo-67395 Desertet News Church Almanac, Country Information: Republic of the Congo
- ^ a b "Facts and Statistics: Statistics by Country: Republic of the Congo", Newsroom, LDS Church, retrieved 2 May 2021
- ^ a b as of February 2023
- ^ "Ground Broken for First Central Africa Temple: Africa now has three temples in development, three more in operation". Newsroom, United Kingdom. LDS Church. 12 February 2016.
- ^ Walker, Joseph (1 October 2011). "LDS general conference opens with the announcement of six new Mormon temples". Deseret News. Salt Lake City. Retrieved 19 April 2022..
- ^ "Mormon church president announces plans for new temples in Utah, Wyoming, Colombia, Africa". Washington Post. AP. 1 October 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2011..
- ^ "Elder Renlund Dedicates Kinshasa Temple in a Historic Occasion for Latter-day Saints: A key milestone, a blessing for Central Africa". Newsroom. LDS Church. 14 April 2019.
- ^ "Open House and Dedication Dates Announced for the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple: Fourth operating temple in Africa". Newsroom. LDS Church. 1 October 2018.
- ^ "7 new temple locations announced by President Nelson to close conference", Deseret News, Deseret News, 3 Apr 2022
- ^ "President Nelson Announces 17 New Temples", Newsroom, LDS Church, 3 Apr 2022
- ^ As verified here.
External links
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Central Africa Area) - Official Site
- LDS Church - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Congo Newsroom
- ComeUntoChrist.org Latter-day Saints Visitor site
