Churches were among the first structures built in North America, when it was still known as the New World. They have served as enduring pillars of faith to their communities, and many of them have also contributed to more recent historical movements.
Long revered for both their spiritual significance and their beauty, these historic houses of worship come in many shapes and sizes.
Groups can find plenty of cities with historic churches where they can catch a Sunday service, get a history lesson or simply admire their gorgeous architecture.
Beaufort, South Carolina
Located on one of South Carolina’s coastal islands, Beaufort is a history lover’s paradise. It’s South Carolina’s second-oldest city and features a historic downtown district and the laid-back atmosphere of the Lowcountry. Historic church tours are available as part of walking tours through Beaufort.
The Parish Church of St. Helena was originally built in 1712 to house the Colonial parish of the Church of England. The surviving parts of the building were part of an extension from the early 19th century. Several prominent town settlers and Civil War soldiers were buried in the church’s graveyard, and the church itself was used by the British Army during the Revolutionary War and eventually as a hospital during the Civil War.
A more simplistic historic church, built during the 1840s for a congregation of free Black citizens, slaves and white members, is the Wesley United Methodist Church. The Baptist Church of Beaufort, built in 1844, was also used as a hospital for Civil War soldiers. Its intricate architectural details and some of its original furniture survive to this day. Several other noteworthy houses of worship include the First African Baptist Church, St. Peter’s Catholic Church and Tabernacle Baptist Church.
Lexington, Kentucky
Set in the middle of the beautiful Bluegrass region of Kentucky, Lexington was founded in 1775. While it’s known for bourbon and horses, it’s also home to many historic houses of worship.
Downtown, visitors can find several noteworthy congregations and their accompanying historic sanctuaries. Christ Church Cathedral, where U.S. Senator Henry Clay once worshipped, was built in 1840, though its congregation was formed in 1795. It’s known for its gorgeous stained-glass windows and its traditional English-style choir. Historic Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church, also downtown, has held services on the same land since 1822. Founded by an enslaved Black preacher, the church has one of the oldest Black congregations in the country. The current building was erected in 1931. It also served as Lexington’s first school for Black children in the 1960s.
On the picturesque country roads outside of the city, visitors will find a few smaller, historic churches. Walnut Hill Church, built 1801, sits on land donated by Mary Todd Lincoln’s family. Pisgah Presbyterian Church’s building dates to 1812, while its congregation dates to 1785; the graveyard of this stone church is the final resting place to several Revolutionary War veterans.
Mackinac Island, Michigan
Known as the Jewel of the Great Lakes for its quaint city streets and natural landscape, Mackinac Island is home to about 500 people. Its culinary offerings and picturesque scenery attract plenty of visitors each year, and it has quite a few historical attractions as well, including Michigan’s oldest church building.
The steeple of the Mission Church on Mackinac Island rises above the treetops and is an integral part to the island’s quaint feel. Groups can tour it daily and hear about its two centuries of history. Built in 1830, it’s not an active church anymore, but the structure is preserved as part of Mackinac Island State Park. The beautiful Ste. Anne’s Catholic Church was erected in 1878 and contained records dating to 1695; today it features a museum with the original stained-glass and a detailed history of the Catholic Church on the island.
The island’s Little Stone Church is one of its most scenic and was built in 1904, while the Trinity Episcopal Church was built in the late 19th century.
Boston
It’s no surprise that the city nearly synonymous with American history touts many historically significant churches. Boston, a sprawling city of 650,000 people, has countless historic sites and museums for groups to visit, not to mention well-known parades and events.
The city’s oldest church is Old North Boston. Founded in 1723 as Christ Church in the City of Boston, it played a role in the Revolutionary War. It’s also a popular historic site and open to tourists Tuesday through Saturday during the day. Another church open to tours is Trinity Church, known for its choir and inspiring architecture. The structure was built during the 1870s, but its congregation dates to the 17th century. Groups visiting during the holiday season can pop in to listen to free Christmas carols. King’s Chapel, built in 1754, is open for tours as well. It has connections to Paul Revere and is adjacent to the city’s oldest cemetery.
Plenty of other historic churches can be found in the area, including Park Street Church, which is the final resting place of several Founding Fathers and the Boston Massacre victims.
El Paso, Texas
The border town of El Paso, Texas, enjoys an engaging mix of Spanish and English culture, Tex-Mex cuisine and outdoor adventure. It’s also known for its Historic Mission Trail, which highlights several centuries-old Spanish Mission churches in and around the city. With their traditional Spanish Mission style architecture and enduring importance to the multiculturalism of the region, these churches are a major attraction for the town and a great choice for groups. However, visitors should keep the church’s worship schedule in mind when planning tours.
The Ysleta Mission, the oldest continually active parish in Texas, was built in 1682 by the Tigua tribe. It’s built out of adobe, and though it’s been restored following disasters, parts of the existing structure are still in place. The Socorro Mission, with six-foot adobe walls, was originally completed in 1691, though its current structure was completed in 1841. The newer chapel, still nearly two centuries old, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The third church on the trail is San Elizario Presidio Chapel, which was built in 1877 and is just outside of El Paso.
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama, has a buzzing culinary scene and tons of historical attractions, especially related to the Civil Rights Movement. Some of its historic churches have deep ties to the movement and attract visitors seeking to learn about this important era in American history. A walking tour of downtown or tours of individual churches can be arranged.
One of the most famous is 16th Street Baptist Church, the city’s first Black church, established in the 1870s. Its current building dates to 1911, but one of the most significant events to occur here was the 1963 bombing that killed four young Black girls. First Presbyterian Church is the city’s first church building, dating to 1872. It was host to several key Civil Rights leaders and events.
Another historic church known for its gorgeous architectural features, including stained-glass windows and a large pipe organ, is known as First Church Birmingham, formerly the First Methodist Episcopal Church South. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places.
Finally, the stately neo-classical Cathedral of St. Paul was dedicated in 1893. Its lofty, arched ceilings are supported by solid granite columns, and expansive, colorful stained-glass windows line the walls.
