Damon Mcknight
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) has had a presence in Austria since 1842 when Orson Hyde, a Latter-day Saint, briefly passed through the country en route to Palestine. The first LDS missionaries arrived in 1865, but they were banished later that year. In 1920, the remaining members in Austria were organized into the Vienna District. The LDS Church in Austria experienced its most significant growth during the 1960s, and as of February 2023, Austria is part of the church's Alpine German-Speaking Mission, which also includes Liechtenstein and portions of Germany and Switzerland.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Germany Munich/Austria Mission |
| Members | 39,726 (Germany), 4,641 (Austria) |
| Current Status | Does not currently exist |
| Past Names | Austria Vienna Mission, Germany Munich Missions |
| Countries Covered | Austria, Germany |
| Language | German |
| Year of Combination | 2002 |
| Year of Official Recognition | 1955 |
| Year of Vienna Stake Organization | 1980 |
| Year of Salzburg Stake Organization | 1997 |
| Number of Congregations in 2009 | 17 |
| Number of Members in 2009 | 4,203 |
| Number of Congregations in 2022 | 17 |
| Number of Members in 2022 | 4,677 |
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What You'll Learn
The Germany Munich/Austria LDS Mission
In 1939, there were 13,402 Mormons in the West German and East German Missions, with Austria included in the West German Mission from November 1938. During World War II, missionaries and some local members left Austria, but the LDS Church provided humanitarian aid programs in Austria and other European countries after the war. In 1955, Austria officially recognized the LDS Church, and the Vienna Austria Stake was organized in 1980, followed by another stake in Salzburg in 1997.
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The Alpine German-Speaking Mission
The Germany Munich/Austria Mission covers a very large area with many branches and some wards. Although the same language is spoken across the region, there are many different dialects. Most cities hold a Christkindl or WeihnachtsMarkt, which are wonderful to experience.
The LDS Church in Austria has existed since 1842 when Orson Hyde, the first Latter-day Saint to visit the country, briefly passed through on his way to Palestine. The first missionaries arrived in 1865 but were banished later that year. The church experienced most of its growth in Austria during the 1960s, with slower growth in recent decades. In 2009, there were 4,203 members in 17 congregations, and in 2022, there were 4,677 members in 17 congregations. The nationwide active membership is estimated to be between 1,600 and 1,800, or 35-38% of the total membership.
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The Austria Vienna Mission
The LDS Church in Austria experienced most of its growth during the 1960s, which has since slowed. In 2009, there were 4,203 members in 17 congregations (12 wards and 5 branches). In 2022, there were 4,677 members in 17 congregations (14 wards and 3 branches). The nationwide active membership is likely between 1,600 and 1,800, or 35-38% of the total membership.
On April 4, 2021, the church president, Russell M. Nelson, announced the intent to construct the Vienna Austria Temple.
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The Vienna District
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the LDS Church, has had a presence in Austria since 1842 when Orson Hyde, the first Latter-day Saint, briefly passed through the country en route to Palestine. However, the LDS Church faced challenges establishing itself in Austria before World War I due to existing laws. The first missionaries arrived in 1865 but were exiled later that same year.
In 1955, Austria officially recognized the LDS Church, and the Vienna Austria Stake was organized in 1980, followed by the establishment of another stake in Salzburg in 1997. The Austria Vienna Mission, which was combined with the Germany Munich Mission in 2002 to create the Germany Munich/Austria Mission, is now known as the Alpine German-Speaking Mission. This mission covers Austria, Liechtenstein, and parts of Germany and Switzerland.
The LDS Church in Vienna, Austria, has a rich history, and its members have persevered through various challenges, including the disruptions of World War I and World War II. The church has provided humanitarian aid programs and continues to grow, with plans announced in 2021 for the construction of the Vienna Austria Temple. The Vienna District remains an essential part of the LDS Church's mission in Austria, contributing to its growth and impact on the lives of its members and the wider community.
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LDS missionary work in Austria
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Austria (LDS Church) has had a presence in the country since the mid-19th century. The first Latter-day Saint to visit Austria was Orson Hyde in 1842, who briefly stopped in Vienna en route to Palestine. However, he was not able to preach or distribute Church material due to existing laws that forbade proselytizing. It wasn't until 1865 when Orson Pratt and William W. Ritter arrived and began missionary work in earnest. Despite these early efforts, the LDS Church in Austria remained small and faced significant challenges in a country deeply rooted in Catholic tradition.
During World War II, missionaries and some local members left the country, and it wasn't until after the war that the LDS Church re-established its presence through humanitarian aid programs directed by Ezra Taft Benson. In 1955, Austria officially recognized the LDS Church, and the Vienna Austria Stake was organized in 1980, followed by another stake in Salzburg in 1997.
As of 2023, Austria is part of the Alpine German-Speaking Mission, which also includes Liechtenstein and portions of Germany and Switzerland. The LDS Church in Austria has seen slow but steady growth over the years, with a nationwide active membership estimated between 1,600 and 1,800, or 35-38% of the total membership. The culture of Austria, strongly influenced by its Catholic heritage, has presented a unique challenge for LDS missionaries, as they strive to teach and connect with those who strongly adhere to the Catholic faith or are uninterested in religion.
The Germany Munich/Austria Mission is a well-known LDS mission that combines Austria with parts of Germany. This mission covers a large area with many branches and wards, and its members have shared their experiences through interviews, blogs, and missionary groups. The mission has also created various merchandise, including t-shirts, aprons, and Christmas ornaments, featuring the mission logo.
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Frequently asked questions
The LDS mission that covers Austria is called the Alpine German-Speaking Mission.
The Alpine German-Speaking Mission includes Austria, Liechtenstein, and portions of Germany and Switzerland.
The first Latter-day Saint to visit Austria was Orson Hyde in 1842, who was passing through on his way to Palestine. The first missionaries arrived in 1865 but were banished later that year.
As of 2022, there were 4,677 members in 17 congregations (14 wards and 3 branches).
The LDS Church in Austria grew rapidly in the postwar years, from roughly 200 members during World War II to more than 2,500 by the end of the 1960s. Austria's first stake was organized in Vienna in 1980, with a second stake organized in Salzburg in 1997.
