Oldest Churches In America
Qualifications: Must be still standing and an Active Congregation of People.
Oldest Churches In America: Qualifications: Must be still standing and an Active Congregation of People. September of 2023
Listed Alphabetically in Order By State
Note: Newer denominations and sub-denominations are not included for obvious reasons. List includes Roman Catholic to Protestant Denominations.
STATES A:
1. Alabama - Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral was established in 1823 as the first Episcopal congregation in Mobile, Alabama and the first in the State of Alabama. The first Anglican church services had been conducted at Fort Charlotte during the British occupation of Mobile.
2. Alaska - Holy Ascension of Our Lord Cathedral
Holy Ascension of Our Lord Cathedral, as it stands today, was built in 1896. It is one of the oldest churches in Alaska, and is significant as the site from which missionaries brought their religion to the local Aleut people.
3. Arizona - San Xavier del Bac Mission
Mission San Xavier del Bac was established in 1692 by Father Eusebio Francisco Kino, who founded a chain of Spanish missions in the Sonoran Desert. A Jesuit of Italian descent, Kino often visited and preached in the area, then the Pimería Alta colonial territory of the Viceroyalty of New Spain.
4. Arkansas - Smyrna First United Methodist Church
Smyrna Methodist Church, located six miles west of Searcy (White County), is the oldest documented church building in Arkansas. Tree-ring dating was used to determine 1857 as the date of construction, making it one of the state's handful of antebellum churches.
STATES C:
5. California - San Carlos Cathedral
The Cathedral of San Carlos Borromeo (Spanish: Catedral de San Carlos Borromeo), also known as the Royal Presidio Chapel, is a Catholic cathedral located in Monterey, California, United States. San Carlos Cathedral, is the oldest building in Monterey and the only remaining original chapel of the four Spanish Presidios that once existed in California. It is the longest continuously active church in California, established on June 3, 1770 when Father Junípero Serra said the first Mass under what became known as the Vizcaíno-Serra Oak.
6. Colorado - Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish
Colorado’s Oldest Church was built in 1858 and is still standing and used today, over 150 years later.
7. Connecticut - First Church in Windsor
The First Church in Windsor, Connecticut is the oldest Congregational church in Connecticut. Its origin can be traced back to 1630, when 140 men and women sailed out of Plymouth, England on the Mary & John. The current First Church in Windsor, on Palisado Avenue, was built in 1794, but was significantly altered in 1844 with the replacement of the original steeple and the addition of a columned portico.
STATES D-H:
8. Delaware - Holy Trinity Church (Old Swedes)
Holy Trinity Church, also known as Old Swedes, is a historic church at East 7th and Church Street in Wilmington, Delaware. It was consecrated on Trinity Sunday, June 4, 1699, by a predominantly Swedish congregation formerly of the colony of New Sweden.
9. Florida - Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine (Spanish: Catedral basílica de San Agustín) is a historic cathedral in St. Augustine, Florida, and the seat of the Catholic Bishop of St. Augustine. Constructed over five years (1793–1797), it was designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark on April 15, 1970. Its congregation, established in 1565, is the oldest Christian congregation in the contiguous United States.
10. Georgia - Jerusalem Lutheran Church
Jerusalem Lutheran Church was completed in 1769. It is the oldest church building in Georgia, the fourth-oldest building in Georgia, and the oldest continuously operational Lutheran congregation in the U.S.
11. Hawaii - Moku‘aikaua Church
Moku‘aikaua Church, located on the "Big Island" of Hawaii, is the oldest Christian church in the Hawaiian Islands. The congregation dates to 1820 and the building was completed in 1837.
STATES I:
12. Idaho - The Mission of the Sacred Heart
The Mission of the Sacred Heart, commonly known as the Cataldo Mission, or Old Mission State Park, was built by the combined efforts of the Jesuit missionary work of Fr. Point, Fr. Joset, and finally built by Fr. Ravalli and members of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. After relocating the original mission here from the St. Joe River, it became the first permanent mission in Idaho. Fr. DeSmet would later come to expand the territory of the Mission. Built in the Baroque style, construction began in 1850 and was completed in 1853. It is the oldest standing building in Idaho, as well as the oldest surviving mission church in the Pacific Northwest.
13. Illinois - Cahokia Holy Family Catholic Church
The Church of the Holy Family is a Roman Catholic church located at 116 Church Street in the St. Clair County, Illinois city of Cahokia Heights. Built beginning in 1786, it is a remarkably unaltered example of the French colonial construction style known as "poteaux-sur-solle, (post-on-sill) and one of the few such buildings surviving in North America.
14. Indiana - Little Cedar Grove Baptist Church
Little Cedar Grove Baptist Church was organized in 1797 by some of the early Primitive Baptist settlers of Franklin County, Indiana. The historic church building, constructed in 1812, is the oldest church in the state of Indiana still standing on its original foundation.
15. Iowa - Cathedral of St Raphael
Raphael's Cathedral is a Catholic cathedral and a parish church in the Archdiocese of Dubuque located in Dubuque, Iowa. The parish was dedicated on July 7, 1861 and is the oldest congregation of any Christian denomination in the state of Iowa.
STATES K-L:
16. Kansas - Basilica of St. Fidelis
The Basilica of St. Fidelis, commonly known as the Cathedral of the Plains, is a Romanesque-style Roman Catholic parish church in Victoria, Kansas, United States. The church was built between 1908 and 1911.
17. Kentucky - Cane Ridge Meeting House
Cane Ridge Meeting House is a log cabin church that was built in Bourbon County in 1791. Many regard it as the oldest church in Kentucky.
18. Louisiana - St. Gabriel Church
St. Gabriel Catholic Church is a church parish in St. Gabriel, Louisiana known to have its origins all the way back to 1761. It is noted as the oldest still standing church in the entirety of the Louisiana Purchase.
STATES M:
19. Maine - First Congregational Church and Parsonage
The First Congregational Church and Parsonage is a historic church complex at 23 Pepperrell Road in the Kittery Point section of Kittery, Maine. Built in 1730 for a congregation first organized in 1653, the church is the oldest in Kittery, and one of the oldest in the state of Maine (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maine).
20. Maryland - Old Trinity Church (Church Creek)
Old Trinity Church is a historic Episcopal church at 1716 Taylors Island Road in Church Creek, Maryland. It was built around 1675 of red brick and is one of the oldest church buildings in continuous use in the continental United States and original thirteen states.
21. Massachusetts - Old Ship Church
The Old Ship Church is a Puritan church built in 1681 in Hingham, Massachusetts. It is the only surviving 17th-century Puritan meetinghouse in America.
22. Michigan - St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
The oldest, operating church in the State of Michigan can be found in the Village of Hamburg. St. Stephens parish was organized in 1844, and construction of the church began almost immediately. Hiram Raymond of Hamburg was the contractor, and building funds were solicited in the East and in Europe. Donations were received from Hamburg, Germany, the native city of some parishioners.
22 1/2. Upper Peninsula of Michigan - Holy Name of Mary Proto-Cathedral Catholic Church, Sault Sainte Marie
The present structure is St. Mary’s fifth church building. It was constructed in 1881 and dedicated to the Holy Name of Mary by Bishop John Vertin on September 12, 1882. The present rectory was built in 1922.
23. Minnesota - St. Peter's Catholic Church
St. Peter's Catholic Church, in Mendota Heights, is the oldest church in the state of Minnesota. It was founded in 1840.
24. Mississippi - Woodville Baptist Church
Built in 1809, Woodville is the oldest building of any church denomination in Mississippi. Though the church wasn’t constructed until 1809, its congregation was organized in 1798, making it one of the state’s oldest congregations.
25. Missouri - Old St. Ferdinand Church
Nestled in Florissant, Old St. Ferdinand Church's story begins in 1789, when the church was first established. Early congregants worshiped at a log church, built that same year. Throughout the early 1880s, the church would grow significantly with the addition of a rectory, a convent, and a schoolhouse. The Shrine and Historic Site consists of four historic buildings on their original locations: the 1819 convent, 1821 church, 1840 rectory, and 1888 schoolhouse.
26. Montana - St. Mary's Mission
Historic St. Mary's Mission & Museum. Established in 1841. The Church was built in 1866.
STATES N:
27. Nebraska - First Presbyterian Church
Presbyterian Church is a church at 2002 Franklin Street in Bellevue, Nebraska, USA, that was built c.1856-58, and has been believed to be the oldest surviving building in Nebraska that was built to hold religious services.
28. Nevada - Saint Peter's Episcopal Church
Located within Carson City's lovely historic district, St. Peter's Episcopal Church isn't just the oldest Episcopal church in the state, but the oldest church in general. The church was originally constructed in 1868.
29. New Hampshire - First Parish Church
The First Parish Church is a historic church at 218 Central Avenue in Dover, New Hampshire. The church was designed and built by Captain James Davis in 1825, inspired by the Federal style designs of Charles Bulfinch, Asher Benjamin, and Alexander Parris.
30. New Jersey - Old Bergen Church
The Old Bergen Church is a historic church congregation in Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. Established in 1660 in what was then the Dutch colony of New Netherland, it is the oldest continuous religious congregation in what is today the State of New Jersey. The original church building was constructed in 1680 and the current edifice was built in 1841.
31. New Mexico - San Miguel Chapel
San Miguel Chapel, is a Spanish colonial mission church in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Originally built around 1610, it is often referred to as the oldest church in the United States (excluding Puerto Rico).
San Miguel Church Restoration Project. https://www.cstones.org
32. New York - St. Paul's Chapel
St. Paul’s Chapel, located at Broadway and Fulton Street, is part of the Parish of Trinity Church Wall Street. Built in 1766.
33. North Carolina - Thomas Episcopal Church
Thomas Episcopal Church is a historic church on Craven Street in Bath, North Carolina. The church building was constructed in 1734 and is the oldest surviving church building in North Carolina.
34. North Dakota - Glencoe Sloan Memorial Presbyterian Church
Glencoe Sloan Church is a Presbyterian church that was first constructed all the way back in 1885, making it over 130 years old today. It is a Presbyterian church that even predates North Dakota being a state!
STATES O:
35. Ohio - Old Wyandot Mission Church
Wyandot Mission Church is a historic church in Upper Sandusky, Ohio. It was built in 1824 under the direction of Reverend James B. Finley and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
36. Oklahoma - Wheelock Church
Wheelock Church (also known as Wheelock Mission Church) is a historic church building in Millerton, McCurtain County, Oklahoma. Built in 1845-6, the existing stone structure is the oldest surviving church building in the state of Oklahoma and the oldest church congregation in the Choctaw Nation.
37. Oregon - Oaks Pioneer Church
Oaks Pioneer Church, formerly known as St. John's Episcopal Church, in southeast Portland in the U.S. state of Oregon is a non-denominational one-story chapel listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1851, it was added to the register in 1974. It is the oldest intact church building in Oregon.
STATES P:
38. Pennsylvania - Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church
Gloria Dei Church, known locally as Old Swedes', is a historic church located in the Southwark neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at 929 South Water Street, bounded by Christian Street on the north, South Christopher Columbus Boulevard (formerly Delaware Avenue) on the east, and Washington Avenue on the south. It was built between 1698 and 1700, making it the oldest church in Pennsylvania.
39. Rhode Island - Trinity Church
Trinity Church, on Queen Anne Square in Newport, Rhode Island, is a historic parish church in the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island. Founded in 1698, it is the oldest Episcopal parish in the state. The current Georgian building was designed by architect Richard Munday and constructed in 1725–26.
STATES S:
40. South Carolina - Old St. Andrew's Parish Church
Andrew's Parish Church. Saint Andrew's Parish Church is located in Charleston, South Carolina, along the west side of the Ashley River. Built in 1706 it is the oldest surviving church building south of Virginia.
41. South Dakota - Renner Lutheran Church
Renner Lutheran Church, also known as Nidaros Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church, is a historic church located in Renner, South Dakota. The church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Renner Lutheran Sanctuary. It is reportedly the oldest church in operation in South Dakota. The church was founded as Nidaros Church in 1868. First located in the sod home Norwegian immigrants John and Kirsti Thompson, a church was later built on the prairie roughly 3 miles south of Baltic, South Dakota. That church was later destroyed in a wind storm, and rebuilt in 1878.
STATES T-U:
42. Tennessee - Sinking Creek Baptist Church
Sinking Creek Baptist Church is a Baptist church located in Johnson City, Tennessee. It is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. It is considered the oldest church in Tennessee. It was organized 1772.
43. Texas - Cathedral of San Fernando
The original church of San Fernando was built between 1738 and 1868. The walls of that church today form the sanctuary of the cathedral, which gives rise to its claim as the oldest cathedral in the State of Texas. The church was named for Ferdinand III of Castile, who ruled in the 13th century.
44. Utah - Grantsville First Ward
The Grantsville First Ward Meetinghouse, in Grantsville, Utah, United States, is a meeting house of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Church) which was built in 1865–1866. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982; the listing did not include a 1952 addition to the building.
STATES V-W:
45. Vermont - The Townshend Church (a.k.a. First Congregational Church and Meetinghouse)
The First Congregational Church and Meetinghouse, also known as the Church of Christ and the Townshend Church, is a historic church at 34 Common Road in Townshend, Vermont. Built in 1790 and restyled in 1840, it is one of the oldest church buildings in continuous use in the state.
46. Virginia - St. Luke's Historic Church & Museum
St. Luke's Church, also known as Old Brick Church, or Newport Parish Church, is a historic church building, located in the unincorporated community of Benns Church, near Smithfield in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, United States. According to local tradition the structure was built in 1632, but other evidence points to a date of 1682.
47. Washington - Claquato Church
Claquato Church is a historic Methodist church located off Washington State Route 6 in Claquato, Washington. It is the oldest standing church building in the state of Washington. Construction commenced in 1857 as a Presbyterian house of worship however the chapel was allowed to be consecrated the following year as Methodist with a promise that the church would be open to all denominations
48. West Virginia - Rehoboth Church
Rehoboth Church is a historic log cabin-style Methodist church in the countryside of Monroe County, West Virginia, United States, 2 miles (3¼ km) east of the town of Union. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1974, it is renowned for being the oldest existing church building in West Virginia. Newly arrived pioneers organized a Methodist church in the vicinity of Union in late 1784. Working together, they built the church in 1785 on the land of Edward Keenan, who had been a leading part of the construction effort.
49. Wisconsin - Old St. Mary's Church
Old St. Mary's Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin was built in 1846 and 1847. The parish was founded a year earlier, by German Catholic immigrants. It was the proto-German church of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
50. Wyoming - Victory Baptist Church (formerly France Memorial United Presbyterian Church)
France Memorial United Presbyterian Church is a historic Presbyterian church at 3rd and Cedar Streets in the city of Rawlins, Wyoming. The Gothic Revival building was constructed in 1882 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. It is built of stone quarried from mountains north of the city.
Oldest Churches In America: Qualifications: Must be still standing and an Active Congregation of People. September of 2023
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