Lena CaldwellDid you know that Charlotte in North Carolina is known as “The City of Churches”?
Back in the 19th century, there were lots of churches popping up – Baptist, Episcopal, Lutheran, and Roman Catholic. In fact, Charlotte earned its reputation as a city built on faith.
Christianity dominates the religious landscape in the Queen City, but Baptists make up the largest group, accounting for 38% of the population.
Nevertheless, churches in this city, regardless of your religion, are ready to welcome you with open arms. And if you are looking for a peaceful spot to reflect, here is the list of the best churches in Charlotte.
1. Elevation Church
Media credit: elevationchurch
Website: https://www.elevationchurch.org/
Address: 11701 Elevation Pt Dr.
Phone: +1 704-246-0820
Business hours: Sunday – 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Elevation Church has been giving religious worship since 2006. They are committed to building a healthy spiritual community with Christ across multiple physical locations.
Wherever you are in the world – or in your walk with God – there’s a place for you here. You may watch them online or attend in person for their live service.
In our case, we’ve been watching Elevation online every Sunday. Fortunately, we finally got the chance to attend in person
It gave us a chance to find great seats with stillness before the service began. The energy in the room was very solemn and we really felt that we belonged there.
The worship was also moving, with people singing, raising their hands, crying, praying with full emotions.
I guess that’s the thing about Elevation. When you go here, it’s not just about great music and powerful messages; it’s about community.
Pro tip:
Watch for Elevation Pop-Ups. These events bring the church to your city with live worship, outreach, and a powerful message.
2. St. Matthew Catholic Church
Media credit: smcc_hillsboro
Website: https://stmatthewcatholic.org/prayerwall
Address: Ballantyne and Waxhaw locations
Phone: +1 704-543-7677
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
- Sunday – 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM
For all the Catholics and non-catholics out there, you may want to consider visiting St. Matthew’s Parish in Charlotte.
St. Matthew Catholic Church is an example of modern ecclesiastical architecture. Once you go here, you’ll notice both the traditional and contemporary design elements.
I love the facade of this church. It has an expansive glass window that allows the natural light to illuminate the interior.
When it comes to their service, their homilies are very inspiring. The priest doesn’t just preach – he teaches you how to take God’s word and apply it in your everyday life.
Pro tip:
Regardless of your religion, you can still visit this church and reflect on your faith. It’s a community that welcomes you with open arms and offers so many ways to deepen your connection with God.
3. First Baptist Charlotte
Media credit: firstbaptistclt
Website: https://charlottefbc.org/
Address: 301 S Davidson St.
Phone: +1 704-375-1446
Business hours: Sunday – starts at 10:30 AM
First Baptist Charlotte has something called Baptist Faith and Message, which refers to a solid confession of faith that affirms core Christian beliefs about God, salvation, evangelism and more. Their sermons are very solemn and relatable, especially in our daily lives.
As you enter, the atmosphere is even more welcoming. The music was incredible and I could feel the energy in the room as everyone sang along.
Apart from that, I appreciate the church’s focus on community. Everyone was so friendly and approachable.
I can say that this is a place where people truly care for one another, which is exactly what I want in a church family.
Pro tip:
If you have kids, you may consider making them part of the ministry. The youth and teen ministries are well-led, making it a great place for your family to grow in faith together.
4. Watershed Charlotte
Media Credit: watershedclt
Website: https://www.watershedcharlotte.com/
Address: 2101 Shenandoah Ave
Phone: (704) 644-0919
Business hours: Sunday – 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Watershed is a progressive, non denominational church. While it started out in 2005 as a more traditional urban evangelical church, it has become open and exploratory in their religious services.
Now, this church leans towards the post-evangelical movement, which aims to create a space for people who might not fit into traditional religious boxes.
After learning about their movement, I appreciate their commitment to inclusivity. This church is open to all people – regardless of your sexuality, gender, race, or where you are on your faith journey.
It’s not about fitting into a certain teaching or agreeing on every detail of a doctrine. Instead, it’s about curiosity, learning, and growing together.
Unlike other religious services, the Sunday gathering in this church is informal yet deeply intentional. Six diverse speakers bring a different perspective and background to the stage, aiming to help people wrestle with faith in a thoughtful and open way.
Another bonus – there’s always coffee available, so you can grab a cup and enjoy it while you’re there.
Pro tip:
Watershed encourages people to bring their full selves to the gathering. When you join this service, all you need to do is to be your authentic self and accept everything your heart desires.
5. Life Church Charlotte
Media credit: thelifechurchclt
Website: https://www.lifechurchclt.com/
Address: 301 Elmhurst Rd
Business hours: Sunday 10:00 AM to 11:15 AM
The story of how Life Church was established was pretty unique. Back in 2017, a group of people felt called to plant a church that would reach the most underserved parts of the city.
As they started their journey, they received an offer from the leadership of Southside Baptist Church, a 96-year-old congregation. After much prayer, the Southside members voted unanimously to dissolve their church and become part of Life Church.
And just like that, Life Church was finally established in 2018, with a mission to reach the heart of the city with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The people here are genuinely friendly and eager to connect. It’s a place where you can be yourself and freely express your faith.
One of the things people appreciate about Life Church is the Bible-based teaching. Pastors are committed to making the Scripture relevant to our daily lives.
His messages are straight from the Bible interpreted in a practical way to be easily digestible by a normal person.
Another thing you will probably love is the Life Groups. These are smaller, community-focused groups that aim to build connections and grow deeper in faith.
All you need to do is to find a group that fits your schedule, and you will feel like part of a larger family.
Pro tip:
During the Sunday gathering, Life Church makes time for reflection and connection with God. They set aside moments for silence, thanksgiving, and prayer.
6. Vizion Church
Media credit: vizionchurch
Website: https://vizionchurch.com/
Address: 1134 West Blvd
Phone: +1 704-560-8335
Business hours: Everyday – 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Visiting this church was an uplifting experience because you can feel the warmth and friendliness of the congregation. Aside from that, the community’s genuine welcome makes it easy to feel like home.
Pastor Tyson, one of the excellent pastors of this church, gives sermons that are deeply rooted in Scripture. The sermons are not that intimidating because the pastor delivers his messages in a more understandable way.
Additionally, the multicultural aspect of this church makes it unique among others because of its diverse community.
Pro tip:
You can donate and support Vizion Church by visiting their online portal. Simply create a profile, check your email, and choose your preferred giving method.
7. Citizens Church Charlotte
Media credit: citizens_churchtx
Website: citizenscharlotte.com
Address: 400 E Morehead St
Business hours: Sunday – 9:30 AM
Citizens Church provides spiritual practices that help nurture your faith. Some of these practices include bible reading, fasting, or even silence and solitude.
They don’t just talk about Scripture but also encourage you to live it out in practical ways.
Another thing that makes them unique is how well they care for families. They offer on-site child care for kids ages 6 months to 5th grade, which is super helpful for parents.
If, in other cases, you prefer home childcare, they will reimburse you for some of the costs, so you won’t worry about your children while participating in the services. This will make you appreciate their thought on serving every member of your family.
Community groups in this church are so welcoming. People here aim to build friendships while nourishing their spiritual practices.
These groups of people can be your safe and supportive space, especially if you have problems.
Pro tip:
Citizens Church focuses on living out the Gospel in a practical way. They encourage you to live out your faith and make a tangible impact on the world.
8. City Church Charlotte
Media credit: city.churchcharlotte
Website: https://www.citychurchcharlotte.org/
Address: 2300 McClintock Rd
Phone: (704) 333-5121
Business hours: Sundays at 10:30 AM
City Church has its roots in London, and it’s so cool to see how those international connections have shaped the church’s culture. Their mission is to know Jesus and make Jesus known, especially for those people who are left behind.
The church strives to be a place where anyone can find friendship, belonging, and a family. Even if it’s your first time to attend their services, you will never feel that you don’t belong.
They also organize various events and activities, which is a perfect opportunity to meet new people and build connections.
Additionally, the church is passionate about reaching out to those who don’t yet know Jesus. They don’t just hold services within the church walls – they actively go into different areas, seeking out people who haven’t experienced the love of Christ.
The Biblical message for every sermon is deeply impactful. The teachings are easy to understand but also challenge you to grow your faith.
And the pastors? They are very articulate, humble, and transparent in their preaching.
Pro tip:
If you’re visiting for the first time, don’t hesitate to get involved in one of their events or activities. It is one of the best ways to meet people and feel part of the family.
9. St. Gabriel Catholic Church
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Address: 3016 Providence Rd
Phone: 704-364-5431
Business hours: Monday to Thursday – 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Website: https://www.stgabrielchurch.org/
St. Gabriel Catholic Church is the second largest church in Charlotte. It can accommodate over 3,400 families and more than 10,000 parishioners.
However, even without the size, the warmth and personal connection you feel here is something special.
What I love most about this church is that no matter your background or stage in life, there’s a room for you.
Moreover, their Charitable Outreach Ministry is inspiring, led by parishioners who work alongside the pastor to make a real impact in the community. What they do is share the word of the Lord and guide the community in living as good people.
Pro tip:
Don’t be shy – check out one of their many service projects or Bible study groups and build connections.
