Other Denominations

Compared with other Nordic countries, Sweden has a relatively large number of smaller church bodies. Several, such as the Mission Covenant Church of Sweden and the Swedish Alliance Mission, are offshoots of 19th century revival movements in the Church of Sweden. Others, such as the Baptist Union of Sweden and the Methodist Church in Sweden, trace their roots to British and North American revival movements.

Membership in many Christian traditions in Sweden has declined in recent years. On the other hand, others have increased in number, primarily as a result of immigration.

This is true of the two largest traditions outside the Church of Sweden. In 1960, there were 29,000 Roman Catholics and 10,000 Eastern and Oriental Orthodox in Sweden. In 1992, they numbered 147,414 and 97,672 respectively.

Other 1992 denominational membership figures are: Pentecostal Movement (Pingströrelsen), 94,995; Mission Covenant Church of Sweden (Svenska Missionsförbundet), 75,216; Salvation Army (Frälsningsarmén), 24,820; Örebro [Baptist] Mission (Örebromissionen) 22,738; Baptist Union of Sweden (Svenska Baptistsamfundet) 20,063; Swedish Alliance Mission (Svenska Alliansmissionen), 13,255; Holiness Union (Helgelseförbundet), 5,238; United Methodist Church (Metodistkyrkan), 5,280; Bible True Friends (Bibeltrogna Vänner), 4,625; Moravian Church (Brödraförsamlingen), 1,100; Swedish Salvation Army (Svenska Frälsningsarmén), 1,806; Independent Baptist Church (Fribaptistsamfundet), 1,385; Old Catholic Church (Gammalkatolska kyrkan), 200; Swedish Union of Seventh-day Adventists (Sjundedagsadventistsamfundet), 5,241 and Word of Life (Livets Ord), 2,000.

Other denominations in Sweden include Church of England (Anglikanska kyrkan), 3,000; Dutch Reformed Congregation (Holländska reformerta församlingen), 100; Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church /in exile/ (Est-niska evangelisk lutherska kyrkan i exil), 14,544; French Reformed Congregation (Franska reformerta församlingen), 300; Hungarian Protestant Congregation (Ungerska protestantiska kyrkan), 5,193 and Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church (Lettiska evangelisk lutherska kyrkan), 2,164.

The Swedish Evangelical Mission (Evangeliska Fosterlands-Stiftelsen), which is part of the Church of Sweden, has 22,400 members.

Most free churches belong to the Swedish Free Church Council (Sveriges frikyrkoråd, SFR), founded in 1918. Besides SFR is the Free Christian Association Council (SAMRÅD) which coordinates hospital chaplaincy work for its members.

In 1992, Jehovah's Witnesses counted 38,067 adherents in Sweden. Mormons (adherents of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) numbered 7,828.