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Missionary work began in
Lyon and its surrounding regions in 1909, the Valence Branch was created
consisting of four members and two American missionaries. After years of
slow but steady growth, a ward was organized Dec. 11, 2005. A planned new
meetinghouse will be a monument to the perseverance of the members and
missionaries.
Following a declaration of war in 1939, the 21 missionaries working in
France gathered in Valence before returning to the U.S. Leon Fargier, the
sole active Melchizedek Priesthood holder in the country at the time,
almost single-handedly conducted the affairs of the Church in France
during the war. He visited members throughout France at great effort and
sacrifice, including visiting the two sisters in Valence.
Missionaries returned to Valence after the war in 1946. Relief aid
packages from the Church were distributed by Brother Fargier to suffering
members in France.
President James L. Barker was soon sent to re-open the mission. He
organized conferences and encouraged many musical groups to tour France. |
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| Growth of the Church
was slow during the nest years, hampered by the economic crisis following
the war. In 1949, Church meetings in Valence were held in a restaurant
with three members. It was a time of many picnics with missionaries.
Little had changed by 1955 when Church meetings were held in a small store
on Avenue de Chabeuil with four members and four missionaries serving in
Valence. But by 1958, membership grew to 15 members and six missionaries,
requiring Church meetings to be held in a small store on Le Rue de Jean
Jaures in Bourg Les Valence. There were few Church manuals in French.
Members relied on the book of Mormon and selected sections of the Doctrine
and Covenants. Still, Several baptisms were held. Yet, by 1974, only
two sisters remained, Jeanne Charrier and Andree Dufour, requiring the
closing of the branch until 1981. During those years they did what they
could by meeting each Sunday at Sister Dufour’s home. Members from
Grenoble came once a month to administer the sacrament. Jean Louis
Darguence was called as the new president of the Valence Branch, which
met in a room on the Rue des Alpes, Four adult members and three children
attended. Paul Reynaud followed as branch president. Meetings were held in
a room on Rue de la Gare. Several more people were baptized. During
the next years, meeting s were held in a home on Bourg les Valence where
Joel Pellerin and then Jean Claude Vanaquer served as Branch
Presidents. In 1993, the Branch moved into a building renovated by
the Church on Rue Baudin. Claude Danguy served as branch president.
Member hip continued to grow slowly, but steadily prompting Church
leaders to plan for the construction of a meeting house. Laurent
Lechif-flart and then Philippe Barbier served as branch presidents.
President Daniel Mocellin of the Lyon France Stake attended Valence Dec. 11,
2005, with his two counselors, Andre Seon and Robert Bertola, to create
the Valence ward where Brother Barbier was called as the Bishop.
Today, there are 250 members in the Valence could begin soon. Land has
been purchased. The old factory on the property has been razed. Members
eagerly await the opportunity of worshipping together in a beautiful
meetinghouse. |
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