The Church in USA—California

Latter-day Saint immigrants first arrived in San Francisco in 1846. One year later the Mormon Battalion arrived in San Diego. Six Battalion members were at Sutter’s Mill in January 1848, when gold was discovered.

The Church colony of New Hope was founded in 1850, and the first Church building was completed that same year. The land boom of the 1920s attracted many members to California. Today California has more missions than any other state in the U.S.

Here are a few more facts about the Church today in California:

Membership	755,747
Missions	17
Temples	7
Wards & Branches	1,356
Family History Centers	198

Photograph by Charles Baird