Albany Georgia is the heart of Plantation Trace, the southern portion of Georgia’s Southern Rivers Region. Founded on the bank of the Flint River, Albany is located 183 miles southwest of Atlanta and 80 miles northwest of Tallahassee. Albany, the Pecan Capital of the World, is also known for quail hunting. What is not as well known is, Albany is the true birthplace of the late blues legend, Ray Charles.

LDS Population

LDS Members make up 1.99% of Albany’s population. The state of Georgia has 77,948 members in 15 stakes, 112 wards, 39 branches, 3 missions, and 1 temple.In 1957, the Atlanta Stake was created.

LDS History

In 1843, missionary work was briefly opened in Georgia by Elder John U. Eldredge. Other missionaries followed to preach and to campaign for Joseph Smith in his presidential bid. Missionary work in Georgia resumed in 1878. The Southern States Mission headquarters was established in Rome (60 miles north of Atlanta). One early convert to the Church donated land and built a chapel at Mormon Springs in Haralson County. Unable to secure protection for missionaries, the church pulled out all missionaries in Georgia for the next decade. Missionaries returned to Georgia in 1899, but slowly and cautiously due to disease and persecution. LeGrand Richards, later a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, served as Southern States Mission mission president from 1934-1937, and wrote the outline for ‘A Marvelous Work and a Wonder’ while in Atlanta.