Churches in USA: Colonial Chapels and Iconic Cathedrals

The United States holds some of the world’s most remarkable religious buildings. From colonial-era wooden chapels to soaring modern cathedrals, churches in USA tell the story of American faith, architecture, and cultural development.

This guide covers 20 of America’s most significant churches in USA, providing all the practical details you need—locations, mass times, contact information, and visitor tips. Whether you’re seeking spiritual connection or architectural wonder, these American churches deserve a spot on your travel itinerary.

1. San Miguel Chapel

A small, adobe structure with thick walls and simple wooden beams, San Miguel Chapel stands as the oldest church building in the continental United States. Built around 1610, this humble historic churches in USA landmark has survived centuries of history, including the 1680 Pueblo Revolt.

• Type: Roman Catholic

• Location:401 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501

• Distance From Albuquerque International Sunport: Approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles), roughly a 1-hour drive

• Timings: Open Monday through Saturday, 10 AM to 4 PM (hours may vary seasonally)

• Mass Timings: Sunday mass (call chapel office to confirm current schedule)

• Contact Number: +1 505-983-3974

• Website:https://www.sanmiguelchapelsantafe.org/

• Email: No email listed publicly, contact through website form

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2. St. Louis Cathedral

Facing Jackson Square in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter, St. Louis Cathedral features striking white towers and a central spire that have become symbols of the city. This historic churches in USA site represents the oldest continuously active Catholic cathedral in the United States, with the current structure dating from 1850.

• Type: Roman Catholic

• Location:615 Pere Antoine Alley, New Orleans, Louisiana 70116

• Distance From Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport: About 25 kilometers (16 miles), a 25-30 minute drive

• Timings: Open daily from 8:30 AM to 4 PM

• Mass Timings: Weekday masses at 12:05 PM; Saturday vigil at 5 PM; Sunday masses at 9 AM, 11 AM, and 5:30 PM

• Contact Number: +1 504-525-9585

• Website:stlouiscathedral.org

• Email:[email protected]

3. Washington National Cathedral

Towering over Washington D.C. from its hilltop location, the Washington National Cathedral represents one of the most magnificent famous churches in USA. This massive Gothic cathedral took 83 years to build (1907-1990). The 7th-floor observation gallery provides sweeping views of Washington D.C.

• Type: Episcopal (Anglican)

• Location:3101 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20016

• Distance From Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport: About 15 kilometers (9 miles), a 20-25 minute drive

• Timings: Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM; Sunday, 1 PM to 4 PM

• Mass Timings: Sunday Holy Eucharist at 8 AM, 11:15 AM; daily services (check website for complete schedule)

• Contact Number: +1 202-537-6200

• Website:cathedral.org

• Email:[email protected]

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4. Salt Lake Utah Temple

The Salt Lake Utah Temple stands as the centerpiece of Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City and serves as the most important temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormon church). This massive granite structure with six spires represents one of the most recognized worship places for Christians in USA.

• Type: Latter-day Saints (Mormon)

• Location:50 W North Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150

• Distance From Salt Lake City International Airport: About 11 kilometers (7 miles), a 15-minute drive

• Timings: Temple interior accessible only to LDS members; Temple Square grounds open daily 9 AM to 9 PM

• Mass Timings: N/A (Temples are used for ceremonies rather than regular services; the nearby Tabernacle hosts public events)

• Contact Number: +1 801-240-4872

• Website:churchofjesuschrist.org

• Email: No email listed publicly, contact through website form

Important note for visitors: The temple is currently closed for major renovations until 2026. However, Temple Square offers free guided tours of the grounds and other buildings.

5. Old Ship Church

Source: wikimedia

The Old Ship Church in Hingham, Massachusetts represents the oldest church building in America in continuous use for worship. Built in 1681, this wooden structure got its name from its unusual roof structure, which resembles an upside-down ship’s hull—reflecting the shipbuilding expertise of its constructors.

• Type: Unitarian Universalist (originally Puritan)

• Location:90 Main Street, Hingham, Massachusetts 02043

• Distance From Boston Logan International Airport: About 24 kilometers (15 miles), a 30-minute drive

• Timings: Limited public hours; tours by appointment

• Mass Timings: Sunday services at 10:30 AM

• Contact Number: +1 781-749-1679

• Website:oldshipchurch.org

• Email:[email protected]

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6. St. Patrick’s Cathedral

St. Patrick’s Cathedral stands as a Neo-Gothic masterpiece in the heart of Manhattan, directly across from Rockefeller Center. As the largest Gothic Revival Catholic churches in USA, its white marble façade, 100-meter spires, and magnificent bronze doors create an imposing presence amidst the surrounding skyscrapers.

• Type: Roman Catholic

• Location:5th Ave, New York, NY 10022

• Distance From John F. Kennedy International Airport: About 27 kilometers (17 miles), a 45-60 minute drive depending on traffic

• Timings: Open daily from 6:30 AM to 8:45 PM

• Mass Timings: Weekday masses at 7 AM, 7:30 AM, 8 AM, 12 PM, 12:30 PM, 1 PM, 5:30 PM; Sunday masses at 7 AM, 8 AM, 9 AM, 10:15 AM, 12 PM, 1 PM, 4 PM, 5:30 PM

• Contact Number: +1 212-753-2261

• Website:saintpatrickscathedral.org

• Email:[email protected]

7. Thorncrown Chapel

Nestled in the Ozark Mountains near Eureka Springs, Arkansas, Thorncrown Chapel represents a modern architectural marvel made almost entirely of glass and wood. This light-filled woodland sanctuary, designed by renowned architect E. Fay Jones, has won numerous architectural awards since its 1980 completion.

• Type: Non-denominational

• Location:12968 Highway 62 West, Eureka Springs, Arkansas 72632

• Distance From Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport: About 80 kilometers (50 miles), a 1-hour drive

• Timings: April through November: 9 AM to 5 PM; reduced hours in winter months

• Mass Timings: Sunday services at 9 AM and 11 AM (April through October)

• Contact Number: +1 479-253-7401

• Website:thorncrown.com

• Email:[email protected]

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8. Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine in Florida represents the oldest Catholic parish in the United States, established in 1565. The current Spanish Colonial Revival structure dates from 1797, after previous wooden churches were destroyed by fires and attacks.

• Type: Roman Catholic

• Location:38 Cathedral Place, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

• Distance From Jacksonville International Airport: About 80 kilometers (50 miles), a 1-hour drive

• Timings: Monday to Saturday, 7 AM to 5 PM; Sunday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM

• Mass Timings: Monday to Saturday at 7 AM; Saturday vigil at 5 PM; Sunday masses at 7 AM, 9 AM, 11 AM, 5 PM

• Contact Number: +1 904-824-2806

• Website:thefirstparish.org

• Email:[email protected]

9. Trinity Church Wall Street

Trinity Church Wall Street stands as a Gothic Revival masterpiece in the heart of Manhattan’s financial district. Built in 1846, this famous churches in USA landmark provides a striking contrast to the surrounding skyscrapers and holds significant historical importance.

• Type: Episcopal (Anglican)

• Location:89 Broadway, New York, NY 10006

• Distance From LaGuardia Airport: About 23 kilometers (14 miles), a 35-45 minute drive depending on traffic

• Timings: Open daily from 8 AM to 6 PM

• Mass Timings: Weekday services at 8:15 AM and 12:05 PM; Sunday services at 8 AM, 9 AM, 11:15 AM; monthly Jazz Vespers

• Contact Number: +1 212-602-0800

• Website:trinitychurchnyc.org

• Email: No email listed publicly, contact through website form

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10. Beth Sholom Synagogue

Source: wikimedia

While not technically a church, Beth Sholom Synagogue deserves mention as the only synagogue designed by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The main sanctuary features a dramatically sloped ceiling with amber-colored fiberglass panels that filter sunlight to create a warm, spiritual atmosphere.

• Type: Jewish (Conservative)

• Location:8231 Old York Road, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania 19027

• Distance From Philadelphia International Airport: About 27 kilometers (17 miles), a 30-minute drive

• Timings: Tours available by appointment

• Mass Timings: Shabbat services Friday evenings and Saturday mornings

• Contact Number: +1 215-887-1342

• Website:bethsholomcongregation.org

• Email: No email listed publicly, contact through website form

11. National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche

Source: wikimedia

The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche in St. Augustine, Florida holds the distinction of being the first Marian shrine in the United States, established in 1565. This small, peaceful chapel sits on the grounds of the Mission Nombre de Dios, where Spanish settlers first landed.

• Type: Roman Catholic

• Location:101 San Marco Avenue, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

• Distance From Jacksonville International Airport: About 80 kilometers (50 miles), a 1-hour drive

• Timings: Daily from 9 AM to 5 PM

• Mass Timings: Weekday mass at 7 AM; Sunday mass at 7:30 AM

• Contact Number: +1 904-824-2809

• Website:missionandshrine.org

• Email:[email protected]

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12. Cathedral of St. Paul

Source: wikimedia

Completed in 1915 in the Beaux-Arts style, Cathedral of St. Paul in Minnesota can seat 3,000 people. The cathedral’s interior features 24 stained glass windows, impressive marble statues, and a sanctuary with a remarkable baldachin (canopy) over the altar. Free guided tours are available most days after morning mass.

• Type: Roman Catholic

• Location:239 Selby Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota 55102

• Distance From Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport: About 12 kilometers (7.5 miles), a 15-minute drive

• Timings: Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 6 PM; Saturday, 7:30 AM to 6 PM; Sunday, 7:30 AM to 7 PM

• Mass Timings: Weekday masses at 7:30 AM and 5:15 PM; Saturday at 5:15 PM; Sunday at 8 AM, 10 AM, 12 noon, and 5 PM

• Contact Number: +1 651-228-1766

• Website:cathedralsaintpaul.org

• Email: No email listed publicly, contact through website form

13. Mother Bethel AME Church

Source: wikimedia

Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Philadelphia holds profound historical significance as the mother church of the first independent Black denomination in America. Founded in 1794 by Richard Allen, a former slave who purchased his freedom, the current building dates from 1890.

• Type: African Methodist Episcopal

• Location:419 S. 6th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19147

• Distance From Philadelphia International Airport: About 13 kilometers (8 miles), a 20-minute drive

• Timings: Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 3 PM (museum hours)

• Mass Timings: Sunday worship at 9:30 AM

• Contact Number: +1 215-925-0616

• Website:motherbethel.org

• Email: No email listed publicly, contact through website form

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14. Chapel of Thanksgiving

The Chapel of Thanksgiving in Dallas represents an interfaith, spiral-shaped meditation space that celebrates gratitude. This unique 1976 chapel features a distinctive spiral roof that resembles a dove from above. The chapel’s most striking feature is the “Glory Window,” a stunning stained glass spiral ceiling created by French artist Gabriel Loire.

• Type: Interdenominational

• Location:1627 Pacific Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75201

• Distance From Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport: About 30 kilometers (19 miles), a 30-minute drive

• Timings: Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM

• Mass Timings: N/A (meditation chapel rather than worship space)

• Contact Number: +1 214-969-1977

• Website:thanksgiving.org

• Email:[email protected]

15. St. Mary’s Whitechapel

Source: wikimedia

St. Mary’s Whitechapel in Lancaster, Virginia represents another important colonial Protestant churches in USA site, founded around 1669. The current brick structure dates from the early 18th century and features traditional colonial church architecture. The church’s historic parish register documents baptisms, marriages, and burials from the colonial era.

• Type: Episcopal

• Location:5940 White Chapel Road, Lancaster, Virginia 22503

• Distance From Richmond International Airport: About 120 kilometers (75 miles), a 1.5-hour drive

• Timings: By appointment

• Mass Timings: Sunday services at 11 AM (seasonal)

• Contact Number: +1 804-462-5908

• Website:stmaryswhitechapel.org

• Email:[email protected]

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16. The Grotto (National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother)

Source: wikimedia

The Grotto in Portland, Oregon offers a unique outdoor sanctuary spread across 62 acres. The sanctuary includes several distinct areas: the lower level features the rock cave shrine with a replica of Michelangelo’s Pietà, gardens, and the Chapel of Mary; the upper level (accessible by elevator for a fee) offers meditation gardens, viewpoints, and additional chapels.

• Type: Roman Catholic

• Location:8840 NE Skidmore Street, Portland, Oregon 97220

• Distance From Portland International Airport: About 11 kilometers (7 miles), a 15-minute drive

• Timings: 9 AM to 8:30 PM (May through September); 9 AM to 5 PM (October through April)

• Mass Timings: Daily mass at noon in the Chapel of Mary

• Contact Number: +1 503-254-7371

• Website:thegrotto.org

• Email: No email listed publicly, contact through website

17. Lakewood Church

Source: wikimedia

Lakewood Church in Houston represents America’s largest megachurch, with weekly attendance exceeding 45,000 people. Located in a former sports arena (the Compaq Center), this non-denominational Christian churches in USA example showcases the modern American megachurch phenomenon.

• Type: Non-denominational (evangelical)

• Location:3700 Southwest Freeway, Houston, Texas 77027

• Distance From George Bush Intercontinental Airport: About 32 kilometers (20 miles), a 30-minute drive

• Timings: Office hours Monday to Friday; worship services on weekends

• Mass Timings: Saturday service at 7 PM; Sunday services at 8:30 AM, 11 AM, and 3:30 PM

• Contact Number: +1 713-635-4151

• Website:lakewoodchurch.com

• Email: No email listed publicly, contact through website

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18. Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption

This breathtaking French Gothic masterpiece sits just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati. The Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption ranks among the most spectacular Catholic churches in USA, featuring 82 stained glass windows including one of North America’s largest church windows.

• Type: Roman Catholic (Diocese of Covington)

• Location:1140 Madison Ave, Covington, KY 41011, USA

• Distance From Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport: 12 miles (20-25 minutes by car)

• Timings: Weekday Masses: Monday–Friday at 10:00 AM, Sunday Masses: 10:00 AM and 5:30 PM, Confession: Saturday 4:00-5:00 PM

• Contact Number: +1 859-431-2060

• Website:covcathedral.com

• Email: No email listed publicly, contact through website form

19. St. Andrew Church

Source: wikimedia

Founded in 1886, St. Andrew Church stands as Pasadena’s oldest Catholic parish. This remarkable historic church in USA blends Romanesque and Byzantine architectural elements, creating a distinctive sanctuary that serves the diverse Pasadena community. The church’s striking campanile (bell tower) serves as a Pasadena landmark visible from nearby freeways.

• Type: Roman Catholic (Archdiocese of Los Angeles)

• Location:311 N Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103, USA

• Distance From Los Angeles International Airport: 28 miles (40-60 minutes by car, depending on LA traffic)

• Timings: Weekday Masses: Monday–Saturday at 8:15 AM (English), Additional Spanish Mass: Weekdays at 6:30 PM, Saturday Vigil: 5:00 PM, Sunday Masses: 8:00 AM, 12:30 PM (Spanish), 5:00 PM

• Contact Number: +1 626-792-4183

• Website:standrewpasadena.org

• Email: No email listed publicly, contact through website form

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20. St. Johns Abbey Church (Minnesota)

Source: wikimedia

Unlike many traditional Christian churches in USA, St. John’s Abbey Church represents a bold modernist statement. The church features a dramatic 180-foot concrete bell banner that dominates the landscape and a remarkable honeycomb stained glass wall that creates an ever-changing light display throughout the day.

• Type: Catholic (Benedictine Monastic Community)

• Location:2900 Abbey Plaza, Collegeville, MN 56321, USA

• Distance From Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport: 80 miles (approximately 1 hour 20 minutes by car)

• Timings: Daily Mass: 5:00 PM, Sunday Mass: 10:30 AM, Monastic Prayer Times: Multiple daily services following the Liturgy of the Hours

• Contact Number: +1 320-363-2011

• Website:saintjohnsabbey.org

• Email:[email protected]

FAQs

Which is the oldest church in the USA?

San Miguel Chapel in Santa Fe, New Mexico, built around 1610, is the oldest church building in the continental United States. The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine in Florida represents the oldest parish, established in 1565.

Are visitors allowed to attend regular church services in America?

Yes, most Christian churches in USA welcome visitors to their services. Visitors should follow basic etiquette: arrive before the service begins, dress respectfully, follow the congregation’s lead, and maintain a quiet, respectful demeanor.

Do American churches charge entrance fees?

Many historic and famous churches in USA are free to enter, though donations are appreciated. Some major cathedrals and popular tourist sites charge admission fees for non-worship visits, typically ranging from $5-25 (Rs. 400-2,000).

What’s the best time to visit American churches?

Weekday mornings typically offer the quietest visiting experience. For experiencing worship, Sunday morning services (between 9 AM and noon) represent the main weekly gathering at most churches.

Can Indian tourists take photographs inside American churches?

Photography policies vary widely. Many must visit churches in USA allow non-flash photography of the interior, but restrictions often apply during services or in certain areas. Always look for posted rules or ask staff before taking photos.

Are there any Hindu-Christian fusion churches in the USA?

While not common, some interfaith organizations and progressive Christian communities incorporate Hindu elements in their practice or aesthetics. The Vedanta Society (with centers in several U.S. cities) offers a space where Hindu and Christian philosophies are studied together.