map of Northern Ireland

A Brief History of the Church in

Northern Ireland

Overview

In 1840 Thomas Tate became the first Latter-day Saint convert in Ireland when he was baptized near Belfast by John Taylor of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. By 1856 there were over 200 Church members in Ireland, concentrated in the north, but many later immigrated to Utah. Missionary work was irregular during the mid-1800s, picking up again in the 1880s. By 1922 there were branches in Belfast and Londonderry.

The Church began to establish a more permanent presence after World War II. The first Church-owned meetinghouse in Northern Ireland was dedicated in 1948. The organization of the Irish mission in 1962 led to a period of rapid growth, paving the way for the organization of the Belfast Stake in 1974. Latter-day Saints worked to minister to members and adapt as necessary during the political violence in Northern Ireland in the late 20th century. By 2015 there were over 5,000 Latter-day Saints in Northern Ireland striving to serve in their communities and to be a light to those around them (see 3 Nephi 12:14–16).

Quick Facts

• Official Name: Northern Ireland (part of the United Kingdom)/Tuaisceart Éireann/Norlin Airlann

• Capital: Belfast

• Largest City: Belfast

• Official Languages: English/Irish/Ulster Scots

• Land Area: 14,130 km² (5,460 mi²)

• Church Area: Europe

• Missions: 1 (part of the Scotland/Ireland Mission)

• Congregations: 10