A Brief History of the Church in

Belgium

Overview

The first attempts to preach the restored gospel in regions of Belgium began as early as the 1860s. However, it was not until the late 1880s—after Mischa Markow, a Serbian missionary, baptized Henrietta Esselmann and her children in Antwerp—that missionaries began to travel to Belgium more regularly. By the mid-1890s, missionaries from the Netherlands Mission established branches in Antwerp, Liège, and Brussels. While many early members soon immigrated to Utah, a small group of Belgian Saints remained and continued to share the gospel.

Situated between France, Germany, and the Netherlands, Belgium is a nation with two distinct linguistic regions: a puzzle that has marked the history of the Church in the nation. For much of the history of the Church in Belgium, responsibility for overseeing missionary efforts has been split between the French and Netherlands Missions. Beginning in 1924, branches were organized in many French-speaking Walloon cities, and meetinghouses were built to accommodate the growing number of converts. These successes led to the organization of a French-speaking Brussels Belgium Stake in 1977.

However, few missionaries traveled to Flanders, the Dutch-speaking region in the north, before 1947. A district was organized in Antwerp in 1948, and Dutch-speaking congregations were soon formed. Following the organization of the Antwerp Belgium Mission in 1975, the Church in Flanders experienced substantial growth. The Dutch-speaking Antwerp Belgium Stake was organized in 1994.

Living in a diverse, multicultural nation, Belgian Saints have worked to build “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” across language, culture, and experience in their local communities (see Ephesians 4:3). They have sought unique opportunities to have thoughtful discussions about faith through media, cultural events, and academic conferences. On April 4, 2021, President Russell M. Nelson announced plans to build a temple in Brussels.

Quick Facts

Official Name: Kingdom of Belgium / Koninkrijk België / Royaume de Belgique / Königreich Belgien

Capital: Brussels

Largest City: Brussels

Official Languages: Dutch (Flemish), French, and German

Land Area: 30,528 km² (18,969 mi²)

Church Area: Europe

Missions: 1 (part of the Belgium/Netherlands Mission)

Congregations: 12