Diocese: Diocese of the Midwest
Deanery: Kansas City Deanery
Address
810 W Woodbine Rd
Ash Grove, Missouri 65604
Mailing address:
PO Box 21
Ash Grove, MO 65604-0021
Website: unexpectedjoychurch.org
Office: 417-942-0186
Parish Contacts
Directions
From I-44
Take exit 75 (Willard / West Bypass Exit) towards Willard. Continue through Willard to Ash Grove. Continue through Ash Grove past stop light to railroad crossing at Frazier St. Left on Frazier to Woodbine. Right on Woodbine 1/2 mile to Church.
Schedule of Services
5:00 PM Vigil and Confessions.
Saturday Evening
9:00 AM Hours, 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy followed by coffee hour.
Sunday Morning
6:00 PM Vigil
Eves of Great Feasts
9:00 AM Divine Liturgy.
Mornings of Great Feasts
For a complete list of upcoming services, please visit the Monthly Calendar on the parish website.
Parish Background
Theotokos “Unexpected Joy” Church was founded in 1998 when Fr. Moses returned to his family home in Ash Grove in order to maintain an historic cemetery on the family property. The cemetery, Holy Resurrection, is one of the oldest Afro-American owned cemeteries in Missouri, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The parish was received into the OCA in 2000.
“Unexpected Joy” has members from all over the Ozarks region, from Carthage to Branson. We believe that all communities, no matter how small, or rural, should have at least one Orthodox Church.
We have a diverse membership which includes those from traditionally Orthodox backgrounds as well as new converts to Orthodoxy. We follow the Old (Julian) Calendar.
Everyone’s welcome to worship with us! Come and share our Ozarks hospitality.