Kinshasa Congo Temple
October 3, 2011 by gale
Filed under Temples in Africa
At the 181st general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Prophet Thomas S. Monson announced the construction of two new temples in Africa, one in Durban, South Africa, and one in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. These will be the fourth and fifth temples to be constructed in Africa, with existing temples in Johannesburg, South Africa; Accra, Ghana; and Aba, Nigeria. Members in Congo currently attend the temple in Johannesburg, over 2000 miles away. The Kinshasa Temple will serve 23,000 Latter-day Saints.
The first missionaries arrived in Kinshasa in February 1986, when the Church received legal status. Meetings were first held in the homes of members. Then the Church purchased a villa and had it remodelled into a meetinghouse. In September 1986, at the first meeting in the 200-seat facility, 208 Church members attended.
The Zaire Kinshasa Mission was created in 1987, and nine years later the Church had grown sufficiently for a stake (diocese) to be organized.
In 1991 a religious education program for youth and young adults was introduced.
For Mormon news and information about the recently announced temples visit the official newsroom of The Church of Jesus Christ.
It’s exciting to hear that a temple is being constructed in Kinshasa. The Saints in the Congo are dedicated to the gospel and have wonderful testimonies.
Reed, thanks for your comment regarding the temple in Kinshasa and the Saints in the Congo. I’d like to know more about your connection with them or service there. I’ll email you and inquire further. We invite you to share our site with others as you see fit in social media or through any other venue. Best to you in your spiritual journey, and Happy Easter!