This month marks the 50th Anniversary of the formation of the Berlin Mission in 1961. It was a little smaller than today. It comprised only the city of West Berlin. Below is an account from Elder Southwick, one of the original missionaries:
“The Berlin Mission … was separated out of the North German Mission in July of 1961. There were a few over 50 missionaries assigned to the new mission. We were excited to greet our Mission President, Percy K. Fetzer, and his family at the Berlin airport when they arrived to begin presiding over the new mission. The Berlin Mission was created just a month before the borders between West and East Berlin were closed.
“Our isolated little mission received visits from some high profile Church leaders after Berlin tensions became so intense. One visitor was Henry D. Moyle of the Church's First Presidency. I remember him looking us over in a meeting of Berlin missionaries and saying with a smile, "You are a sorry looking bunch, but you are all the Lord has to work with here." He then exhorted us to do our best in service of the people of Berlin.
The Berlin Mission was later recombined with the mission in Hamburg and then, years after that, the Berlin Mission was created again. It is now exactly one year since the latest change – combining the Hamburg and Berlin Missions. We honor all who have served here over the years and who now serve here. We are grateful for the many miracles the heavens have sent and continue to send.
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