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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in West Virginia

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in West Virginia
AreaNA Northeast
Members17,294 (2022)[1]
Stakes4
Wards23
Branches11
Total Congregations34
Missions1
Family History Centers14[2]

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]

History

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Membership in West Virginia
YearMembership
19302,285
19838,304
1989*10,000
199912,290
200916,711
201917,143
*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]

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

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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 Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
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 Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
Waynesboro Virginia Stake[a] 28 May 1978 Virginia Richmond Richmond Virginia
Winchester Virginia Stake[a] 22 May 1977 Maryland Baltimore Washington D.C.
  1. ^ a b c d e Stake located outside West Virginia with congregation(s) meeting in West Virginia

Mission

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Temples

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West Virginia is divided among the Washington D.C. Temple, Louisville Kentucky Temple, and Columbus Ohio Temple districts.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Facts and Statistics: Statistics by State:West Virginia", Newsroom, LDS Church, retrieved 29 May 2023
  2. ^ Category:West Virginia Family History Centers, familysearch.org, retrieved April 11, 2022
  3. ^ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints membership statistics (United States)
  4. ^ "Adults in West Virginia: Religious composition of adults in West Virginia". Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. Pew Research Center. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ a b "Facts and Statistics", Church News, 2020. Retrieved on 31 March 2020.
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ "Mormons To Hear Benson At Charleston Conference". The Beckly Post-Herald and Register. 22 August 1970. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
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