The Church in Cape Verde

In 1989, Latter-day Saints in Praia formed a branch shortly after welcoming missionaries to their island country. As their nation transitioned to a democratic government, Church members began sharing the gospel more freely. Cape Verdean Saints now have four stakes and a temple, which was dedicated in 2022.

History of the Church in Cape Verde

Beginning in the late 1980s, many Cape Verdean Saints were baptized in Portugal before returning to their homeland, where they began building the Church in Cape Verde. In 1989, shortly after missionaries arrived that March, Church meetings began in the home of Policarpo and Ofelia Gomes, even before the Gomeses had been baptized. In June 1989, the Praia branch was organized.

As their nation transitioned to a democratic government, the members began sharing the gospel more freely. The Church continued to grow, and soon branches were also organized on the islands of São Vincente and Fogo. A district was organized in November 1992.

Throughout their history, the Cape Verdean Saints have reached out in service. In 1995, Relief Society sisters in Praia provided clothing and food to 1,000 people displaced by volcanic eruptions on the island of Fogo. In the years since, the Cape Verdean Saints have “press[ed] forward” with a “perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men” as they have served one another and their community (2 Nephi 31:20). Through the years, members organized career and education fairs, contributed to Church welfare services, and donated supplies to other faiths.

In October 2012, the Praia Cape Verde Stake was organized, with additional stakes in Assamada São Felipe on Fogo organized soon after. On October 7, 2018, the Cape Verdean Saints celebrated the announcement of a temple in Praia.

Read more in Global Histories.