Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the State of South Carolina. The city lies at the confluence of two rivers, the Saluda and the Broad, which merge at Columbia to form the Congaree River, which is popular with paddlers and kayakers in the area. The state’s flagship and largest university, the University of South Carolina, is located in Columbia. Historically, the city was the location of the South Carolina Secession Convention, which marked the departure of the first state from the Union in the events leading up to the Civil War.

LDS Population

LDS Members make up 1.09% of the population of Columbia. The state of South Carolina has 36,141 members in 6 stakes, 46 wards, 14 branches, 1 mission, and 1 temple in Columbia.

LDS History

The first LDS member in South Carolina is believed to be Emmanual Masters Murphy, who was baptized in Tennessee in 1836. The South Carolina Conference was organized on March 31, 1882. Some of the earliest branches were established at King’s Mountains beginning March 3, 1882, and among the Catawba Indian community beginning July 31, 1885. Conference headquarters were established at the plantation of John Black, a man who remained unbaptized in order to provide refuge for the Church. Many converts, including Indians, moved onto his plantation to escape persecution. The Catawbas also shielded missionaries from persecutions. Most of the Catawbas joined the Church and remained faithful in South Carolina.