Czech Republic
2,628
Total Church Membership
Population vs. Church Members
1
Stakes
12
Congregations
2
FamilySearch Centers
1
Missions
History
Thomas Biesinger, the first missionary in what is now the Czech Republic, arrived in Prague in February 1884—and was arrested for unauthorized preaching. After nearly 70 days in prison, Biesinger baptized his only convert, Anthon Just, before leaving the city.
Other Czechs in the Austro-Hungarian Empire joined the Church and returned to Czechoslovakia. After World War I, Františka Brodilová and her two daughters, who had joined the Church in Vienna, petitioned the Church to send missionaries to Prague. In 1928, Thomas Biesinger, now 84, traveled to Prague and obtained legal recognition for the Church. Czechoslovakia was soon dedicated, and the Czechoslovak Mission was organized.
Members kept the faith through the difficult days of World War II and after the rise of the Communist Party in 1948. In 1950, the Church was banned by the government. For nearly 50 years, Church members were not allowed to openly practice their faith. Nevertheless, Church members met as frequently as possible, becoming “knit together in unity” (Mosiah 18:21), and found creative ways to share the gospel. Several members taught “Christian yoga” classes—a combination of gospel principles and yoga exercises—leading to the conversion of 130 people.
Since the reopening of the mission in 1991, membership in the Czech Republic has steadily grown. In 2016, the Prague Czech Republic Stake, the first in the Czech Republic, was created.
For Journalist Use Only:
National Director of Public Affairs and Communications
Hanna Snajdarová
Telephone: +420 608 432 633
Africa
Total Church Membership
736,701
Members
2,476
Congregations
Missions
39Missions
FamilySearch Centers
Temples
5Temples
Asia
Total Church Membership
1,259,094
Members
2,110
Congregations
Missions
45Missions
FamilySearch Centers
Temples
8Temples
Europe
Total Church Membership
500,239
Members
1,350
Congregations
Missions
34Missions
FamilySearch Centers
Temples
14Temples
North America
Total Church Membership
9,489,479
Members
18,476
Congregations
Missions
174Missions
FamilySearch Centers
Temples
112Temples
Oceania (Pacific)
Total Church Membership
587,462
Members
1,301
Congregations
Missions
18Missions
FamilySearch Centers
Temples
10Temples
South America
Total Church Membership
4,232,425
Members
5,602
Congregations