The Church in Malta

The Church began in Malta in 1852, with early branches serving members from the British military. Though missionary efforts were discontinued for more than a century, in 1988 missionaries returned and the Malta Branch was organized.

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History of the Church in Malta

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints first established a presence in Malta in 1852, when Apostle Lorenzo Snow and Elder Jabez Woodard arrived from Italy. That same year, the first baptisms were performed, and a branch was organized in Valletta. Most early members were British military personnel stationed in Malta during the Crimean War. Three mobile branches were created to serve those deployed, including a “floating branch” to serve sailors. After the war ended in 1856, many members left with the military or emigrated to Utah, and the mission was discontinued.

For over a century, there was no known Church activity in Malta. In the 1960s, British Latter-day Saints stationed in Malta began holding informal meetings.Then, in 1979, Church representatives met with Maltese officials and received permission to send missionaries, though long-term stays were difficult. Though the government of Malta formally allowed Latter-day Saint missionaries in 1980, it wasn’t until 1988 that a more permanent missionary presence was reestablished in Malta. The Malta Branch, later renamed the Mosta Branch, was organized that year. In the 1990s, the first Relief Society was organized in Malta. In 2024, the Book of Mormon was translated into Maltese.