---
title: Improvement Era
description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930.
authors:
  - Larsen, A. B.
collections:
  - periodicals
tags:
  - magazine
  - improvement-era
periodical: Improvement Era
volume: 12
number: 9
published: 1909-07
publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations
publisher_place: Salt Lake City
language: en
type: magazine
reference: 'A. B. Larsen, "The Christiania Conference House," *Improvement Era* 12, no. 9 (July 1909): 734–736.'
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1209unse
  transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers.
  identifier: improvementera1209unse
start_page: 734
end_page: 736
rights:
  status: public-domain
  basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1909-07)
  source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1209unse
  publication_year: 1909
  note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1909, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright.
---

# The Christiania Conference House

<!-- page:734 -->

THE CHRISTIANS CONFERENCE HOUSE.
    BY ELDER A. B. LARSEN, PRESIDENT OF THE CONFERENCE.

    On the 23rd     of July, 1871,      a meeting and dwelling house
which had been erected by the Saints of Christiania, Norway, was
dedicated.  This was the first house of worship owned by the
Latter-day Saints in Norway. It was used for about thirty years,
when it was condemned, being considered unsafe on account of
the ground- sinking. The venerable Christian D. Fjeldsted laid the
plans and began the building, he being president of the Christiania
conference at that time.
    The accompanying picture shows the present building which
was erected on the same spot, and dedicated July 24, 1903. The

            Latter-day Saints Meetinghouse, Christiania, Norway.

<!-- page:735 -->

Interior Latter-day Saints Meetinghouse, Christiania, Norway.

dedication prayer was offered by President Francis M. Lyman, who
was then president of the European mission.
     Our building has recently been re-painted, and now presents a
very attractive appearance.    It has a very good location, being in

the most thickly populated part of the city.    Besides the elders'

home, which   consists of an office and three rooms, there are five
                                                                          for
departments, which are rented by families, and two halls used
holding meetings.
     Accompanying is a picture showing the interior of the large
                                                  It is well pro-
hall which has a seating capacity of six hundred.
                                                        with paintings.
portioned and well finished, being nicely decorated
                                    and  presents  a  very  inviting ap-
It is well lighted with electricity
                                   the city  often   make    mention of
pearance.     The newspapers of
                                            The  small   hall is used by
the beautiful hall of the "Mormons."
the auxiliary organizations.
     In the basement     found the baptismal font which is con-
                          is
                                       beautifully decorated with
structed of cement. The walls are very
historical paintings.
                                                               the   auxiliary
     Our branch is completely organized with
                                                         all

 organizations with the exception of
                                        Primary and Religion Class.
                                             Nearly all of our young
 Our M. I. A. is doing an excellent work.
                                     great interest in their work.
 people are enrolled and are taKing

<!-- page:736 -->

Baptismal Font, Latter day Saints Meetinghouse, Christiania Norway.

        The Sunday School has been making very marked progress of
late.  The average attendance during the present year has been
one hundred and seventy.     The young as well as the old are very
much interested and are taking an active part.      We feel that a
great work is being done among the young people.
     Our Relief Society also is doing a grand work among the poor,
and is of great assistance to the missionaries in spreading the
truth.      We appreciate its labors very much.
        In mentioning our organizations, we         must not overlook our
choir which consists of about sixty members.            The past two years
it   has been under the able         leadership of Elder 0. E. Johnsen.
The choir is highly appreciated by both Saints and strangers, and
is doing a very good work in furnishing singing for all of our

entertainments and meetings.      There are a great many people
drawn to our meetings through the musical services.         At first
people often come merely to hear our singing, but many of them
become interested, which results finally in their becoming members
of the Church.
     In behalf of the elders of the Christiania conference, I
take the opportunity of thanking you very much for the Era which
is   always welcome and highly appreciated.            We find it very bene-
ficial in   assisting us in spreading the gospel.

Christiania,   Norway.