The Mission

Elder Pat and Sister Sally Traynor are thrilled to serve in the Charleston, West Virginia Mission and have a lot of preparations to make before they leave! Meanwhile, we can learn a bit about the mission and the area.

Charleston History

Both the capitol and largest city in West Virginia, Charleston began the idea of the American frontier. Settlers arrived after the American Revolutionary War, seeking wealth and independence upon the banks of the Kanawha River. Charleston was officially established in 1794, with a population of 35 people over 40 acres. Plentiful resources such as salt, natural gas, and coal fueled the city's growth into the American Civil War, when West Virginia separated from Virginia to join the Union. West Virginia and Charleston became battleground states important to the outcome of the war. Charleston continued to be a vital part of industrialization and war efforts throughout the 19th and 20th century. Today, Charleston is a thriving urban area of over 50,000 people.

West Virginia Mission LDS Statistics:

Church Membership: 17,040 (West Virginia), 94,273 (Virginia), 34,210 (Kentucky)
Missions: 1 (West Virginia), 3 (Virginia), 1 (Kentucky)
Temples: 1 (Kentucky)
Congregations: 36 (West Virginia), 197 (Virginia), 78 (Kentucky)
Family History Centers: 14 (West Virginia), 36 (Virginia), 23 (Kentucky)

The West Virginia Charleston Mission takes in parts of Kentucky and Virginia.

For more information on the LDS Church's missionary program, and the West Virginia Charleston Mission in specific, click these links:

What is Missionary Work?

10 Things to Know About Mormon Missionaries

West Virginia Charleston Mission Details

The Call

Pat and Sally Traynor opened their mission call on December 11, 2016 in front of family and friends. Their grandchildren could hardly contain their excitement. Prior to the opening of the call, the grandchildren had submitted guesses for the location, area of service, and beginning date of the Traynors' mission. The grandchild with the best guess would receive something handmade from Grandma Traynor, a very valuable prize indeed. Family from coast to coast tuned in to hear the announcement.

Elder Pat and Sister Sally Traynor were called to the Charleston, West Virginia Mission. Their primary responsibility will be to serve in the Seminary and Institute programs in Huntington, West Virginia.  They report to the MTC (Missionary Training Center) on February 6, 2016. 

Alec Olsen, Emily and Erik Olsen's son, was the winner of the mission guessing contest.  Following the opening of the mission call, family and friends joined together to sing an emotional rendition of the hymn, Called to Serve.

Stay tuned for more mission updates!