The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Dunedin has restructured its congregational boundaries and appointed new leaders.
The church, better known as the Mormons, established two congregations in Dunedin many years ago as numbers grew, its director of public affairs for the Dunedin district, Suzanne Gillies, said yesterday. Both congregations share the same Fenton Cres building, with Sunday meetings scheduled at different times.
Congregation membership was decided by where members lived, and the new boundaries more evenly divided up Dunedin and Mosgiel, she said. The congregations had also been renamed from the St Clair and Mornington branches to Dunedin 1st and Dunedin 2nd.
The church has no professional clergy and appoints worthy male members of the congregation as branch presidents - a role similar to a minister or bishops in other churches.
After six years in their roles, branch presidents Kingi Newton (St Clair branch) and John Lydiate (Mornington) had finished their terms and been replaced by Sam Weepers (Dunedin 1st) and Stephen Smith (Dunedin 2nd). Each would be assisted by two members of their congregations, Mrs Gillies said.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Dunedin has more than 700 members.
