Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints adds new ward in Nixa

provided by Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Bishop Bryan Noorda, center, leads the McCauley Park Ward along with first counselor Jay Dougherty and second counselor Kevin Davies.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has added a new ward for members in eastern Nixa.

The ward, or congregation, is called McCauley Park, according to a news release. Bryan Noorda, of Nixa, was selected to lead the ward after previously serving as assistant at the Fremont Hills Ward.

"The new McCauley Park Ward will give our members in eastern Nixa an opportunity to unite together in a single congregation,” said Brent Johnson, who oversees nine congregations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in the release. “These adjustments provide growth opportunities for new leaders. Keeping our congregation sizes balanced helps ensure we can best respond to the needs of our members and others, as we seek to follow Christ's example to minister one by one."

Wards, which are geographically based, typically have 200 to 500 members, officials say. The McCauley Park Ward's launch follows last year's creation of the Fremont Hills Ward to serve members in Nixa and Ozark, according to past reporting. 

The McCauley Park Ward meets Sundays at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' location at 1309 N. 20th St. in Ozark, according to the release.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is amid development of a temple at 2720 E. Farm Road 188, located south of James River Freeway and west of U.S. Route 65, near Mercy Orthopedic Hospital Springfield. Plans for the 29,000-square-foot temple were announced in 2024.