Lesotho Church Records

For information about records for non-Christian religions in Lesotho, go to the Religious Records page. =Online Resources and Websites=
 * , index and images.
 * Anglican Church of Southern Africa., including Lesotho, Parish Registers, 1801-2004, index and images.


 * British Armed Forces and Overseas Births and Baptisms, Lesotho, index and images, ($)
 * British Armed Forces and Overseas Births and Baptisms, Africa, index and images, ($)
 * British Armed Forces and Overseas Banns and Marriages, Africa, index and images, ($)


 * British Armed Forces and Overseas Deaths and Burials, index and images, ($)

=Historical Background= The population of Lesotho is estimated to be more than 95 percent Christian. Protestants account for 50 percent of the population, (Evangelicals 17.5 percent, Anglicans 7.5 percent, Pentecostals 21.9 percent and other Christians an additional 8.5 percent). Roman Catholics represent nearly 40 percent of the population, served by the province of the Metropolitan Archbishop of Maseru and his three suffragans (the bishops of Leribe, Mohale's Hoek and Qacha's Nek), who also form the national episcopal conference. Non-Christian religions represent only 1.5% of the population, and those of no religion 3.5%.

=Information Recorded in the Records= Different denominations, different time periods, and practices of different record keepers will effect how much information can be found in the records. This outline will show the types of details which might be found (best case scenario);

Baptisms
In Catholic and Anglican records, children were usually baptized a few days after birth, and therefore, the baptism record proves date of birth. Other religions, such as Baptists, baptized at other points in the member's life. Baptism registers might give:

Marriages
Marriage registers can give:

Burials
Burial registers may give: =How to Find Records=

Digital Copies of Church Records in the FamilySearch Catalog
Watch for digitized copies of church records to be added to the collection of the FamilySearch Library. Some records might have viewing restrictions, and can only be viewed at a Family History Center near you, and/or by members of supporting organizations. To find records:
 * a. Click on the records of Lesotho.
 * b. Click on Places within Lesotho and a list of towns will appear.
 * c. Click on your town if it appears, or the location which you believe was the parish which served your town or village.
 * d. Click on the "Church records" topic. Click on the blue links to specific record titles.
 * e. Some combination of these icons will appear at the far right of the listing for the record. FHL icons.png. The magnifying glass indicates that the record is indexed. Clicking on the magnifying glass will take you to the index. Clicking on the camera will take you to an online digital copy of the records.

Writing for Records
You will probably need to write to or email the national archives, the diocese, or local parish priests to find records. See the Letter Writing Guide for Genealogy for help with composing letters.

=Anglican Church Records=

Writing for Records
=Historical Background= The Anglican Diocese of Lesotho was founded as its own independent diocese in 1950. Lesotho had originally been considered part of the Diocese of Free State. The First Bishop was The Right Reverend John Maund. Bishop Maund served as Bishop for over 25 years, including the independence of Lesotho from Great Britain in 1966. Bishop Maund retired in 1976, and was succeeded by The Most Reverend Desmond Tutu, who would later move on to become the Archbishop of Cape Town. Bishop Tutu served as Bishop for 2 years before leaving to take the position of Secretary-General of the South African Council of Churches.
 * Anglican Directory

The Right Reverend Philip Mokuku presided as Bishop after Bishop Tutu's departure in 1978. Bishop Mokuku held the position for 19 years. His tenure in the office saw the height of the Apartheid regime in neighbouring South Africa. Lesotho played a vital role in the eventual collapse of the Apartheid Government. The country and Diocese were a safe haven for many political refugees from South Africa during this time period. Bishop Mokuku retired in 1997. Following Bishop Mokuku's retirement, The Right Reverend Andrew Duma was Bishop for 2 years, 1997-1999. He was followed by The Right Reverend Joseph Tsubella from 1999 until 2006.

The office of the Bishop was vacant from the time Bishop Tsubella left office until Bishop Adam was elected in 2008. The Right Reverend Adam Taaso was consecrated as Bishop on the 19th of October, 2008. Bishop Adam is the current Bishop of Lesotho.

The Diocese is a member of the Christian Council of Lesotho (CCL). CCL is an association of the Christian denominations in Lesotho that helped to stabilize the country and return it to democratic elections in 2008. CCL was instrumental in the peaceful elections that took place in May of 2012. = Catholic Church Records =

Writing to a Local Parish
To locate the mailing address or e-mail address for a local parish, consult:
 * The Catholic Directory: Lesotho

Historical Background
The first Catholic mission started in 1863. It was called Motse-oa-'M'a-Jesu, and led by Bishop Allard. He invited Holy Family Sisters from France to work with Sotho women.

=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Records=

Online Records
Information is available to current members only for deceased members and immediate family members who are still living. Sign in to FamilySearch and then select Family Tree in the drop-down menu.

Historical Background
Total Church Membership: 1,179. Congregations: 6.

Scattered Church families from the United States lived in Lesotho during the 1980s. In July 1988, at a meeting attended by 15 people, the Maseru Branch (a small congregation) was organized at the home of expatriates. The Church was registered in July 1989 and the first missionaries entered in September. As the branch grew, facilities were rented in a local school. Later a home was purchased to be remodeled into a church building.

A seminary program for young people aged 14-18 functioned in the country as early as 1991. The first full-time young missionary from Lesotho began serving in the Durban mission in 1993.

=Evangelical Church Records=

Online Resources and Websites
The Lesotho Evangelical Church in Southern Africa (LECSA, Sotho: Kereke ea Evangeli Lesotho e Boroa ho Afrika) is one of the oldest Protestant churches in Africa, established in 1833 by the Paris Evangelical Missionary Society. They received the support of the local king, and under its protection the church developed. The first mission station was in Morija. In 1868 Lesotho became a British protectorate. In 1898 a Synod was opened, while in 1964 the church gained independence.
 * , index and images.

The Lesotho Evangelical Church has 340,500 members, 112 parishes and hundred house fellowships.

=References=