Visit to Svartensgatan 3 Stockholm SWEDEN

It's great to hear about the people and their stories and be in this special building at
Svartensgatan 3.

The facade has been refinished and looks wonderful with the new paint. The building is on the historical register in Stockholm and is kept in mint condition, even though it is still being used and is a refuge for abused women and children.

Sister Shiela & Elder Garth Hanson were at the reception to say good-bye to the Höglunds. They are returning home to the USA on May 20. It was good to see them.

Elder Johnson enjoyed the time in the Svartensgaten chapel.

1. Late Sunday afternoon we were privileged to attend the 50th wedding anniversary of the Swedish Temple President and his wife....President Bengt och Syster Inger Höglund on 16 maj 2009.

2. The reception was held in President Höglunds boyhood home in the Södermalm area of older Stockholm.

3. The address of the reception and boyhood home is Svartensgatan 3.

4. Svartensgatan 3 just happens to be the location of the Swedish Mission office from 1903 until April of 1963. In April 1963 the Mission Office was changed to a location about 15 miles south and west of the city.

5. April 4, 1963 was the date I was released from my first mission to Sweden.

6. In the attached pictures, I am shown standing in the chapel area of the mission home....as I stood nearly 50 years ago. I am also shown in a second picture walking up the stairs used many times during my mission. A third picture shows me (Dad J) opening the door to the famous mission office. This is the first time I have actually entered the mission home since departing in April of 1963.

7. One of my last assignments was to carry hundreds of books, important papers, and mission history down those stairs to a waiting truck.

8. A few years after the Mission Home closed, it was sold to Stockholm City and later became a home for abused women.....and remains so today. Occasionally the chapel area of the building is rented for receptions and other. Unless one is an abused women or care-taker, entry is not allowed.

9. Through the years, several Church Presidents and Apostles have visited this building. One very well know and loved person who spent nearly five years in the building as Swedish Mission President was Clarence F. Johnson.....along with his wife Annie B. and two daughters, Lyda and Ilogene. 1949-1954Just thought you would like to know some of the history of Svartensgaten 3.