Community Notices: A Temple Milestone Near Houston and a Life Remembered in Temple, Texas

Beyond Austin's city limits, two stories from across Texas touch on themes of community, permanence, and remembrance that resonate with readers across the South Asian diaspora.

⛪ Second LDS Temple Planned for Houston Area in Missouri City

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced the site and an architectural rendering for a new temple to be built in Missouri City, Texas, which will be known as the Houston Texas South Temple. This will be the second temple serving the greater Houston area and is one of ten houses of the Lord in Texas currently in various stages of planning or construction. The announcement, including a publicly shared exterior rendering, marks a formal step forward in the temple's development process. Missouri City, a diverse suburb southwest of Houston, is home to a substantial South Asian population, making this development of potential interest to interfaith observers in the region. The project reflects the continued expansion of religious infrastructure across the rapidly growing Texas metropolitan corridors. [2]

🌸 Temple, Texas Remembers Kristen Renae McDaris

Kristen Renae McDaris, 62, a lifelong resident of Temple, Texas, passed away on May 16, 2026, at a hospital in the city where she was born. Funeral services were held at Cross Church on Birdcreek in Temple, where she had been a devoted member throughout her life. She is remembered by her husband, two daughters, mother, and sisters, as someone whose life was centered on family, faith, gardening, crafting, and a deep love of animals. Kristen had married in Austin, Texas, in 1993, giving her story a connection to the greater Central Texas community that Desi.Net serves. Her passing is a reminder of the rich tapestry of lives and stories that make up our broader Texas community. [4]

Sources: [2] Church News · [4] Dignity Memorial