Réunion: Chronology

June 3, 1969 • RéunionAlain and Danièle Chion-Hock returned with their family to Réunion after being baptized a month earlier in France.

Late 1970s • EuropeMany people from Réunion joined the Church while living in Europe.

July 20, 1977 • RéunionJames E. Faust, president of the International Mission, authorized the small group of members on Réunion to hold the first sacrament meeting on the island.

October 1979 • Salt Lake City, UtahJoseph T. and Ruth Edmunds were called to serve in the International Mission to establish the Church in Réunion and Mauritius. The Edmundses arrived in Réunion on October 18, and the following day they made contact with the Chion-Hocks.

October 21, 1979 • RéunionThe Réunion Branch began meeting in the Chion-Hocks’s home.

December 23, 1979 • Saint-Denis, RéunionRose, Richard, and Jacky Thia Soui Tchong were baptized in the Chion-Hock family swimming pool, becoming the first Réunionnais converts to join the Church on the island.

December 30, 1979 • Saint-DenisAlain Chion-Hock was called as president of the first branch in Réunion. The same day, Richard and Jacky Thia Soui Tchong became the first Réunionnais young men to receive the Aaronic Priesthood on the island.

August 11, 1982 • Saint-DenisThe Mascarene District, headquartered in Saint-Denis, was organized with branches in Réunion and Mauritius.

January 24, 1984 • RéunionThe first four proselytizing missionaries arrived in Réunion.

July 1, 1984 • Saint-Pierre, RéunionThe Saint-Pierre Branch was organized.

July 8, 1985 • RéunionNelly Lycurgue became the first member called from Réunion to serve a full-time mission. She served in the Paris France Mission.

February 1987 • Le Port, RéunionThe Le Port Branch was organized.

November 1987 • Mauritius and RéunionIles de la Mer: Journal du District des Mascareignes, a newsletter for members in Mauritius and Réunion, was first published.

July 1, 1988 • Réunion and MauritiusThe Mascarene Islands Mission was organized, with 400 members living in two branches in Mauritius and three branches in Réunion. In 1992 the mission was consolidated with the South Africa Durban Mission.

November 22, 1988 • MauritiusElder Marvin J. Ashton of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated Réunion for the preaching of the gospel.

July 22, 1992 • Saint-Marie, RéunionThe Saint-Marie Branch was organized.

March 7, 2010 • RéunionAlain Chion-Hock was called as the first patriarch of the Saint-Denis Réunion Mauritius District.

July 30, 2017 • Réunion and MauritiusThe Saint-Denis Réunion-Mauritius District was divided to create independent districts in Réunion and Mauritius.

October 27, 2018 • Le Port

The youth of the Saint-Denis Réunion District participated in an event titled “Comme les Pionniers.” Pioneer dancing, games, and a testimony meeting were the highlights of the event.