All Souls church is a very special and truly inclusive community, where everyone is welcomed and valued. Since I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, I have received great spiritual support and, above all, emotional support. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a church in the Bay Area. read more

All Souls is a special church community that is inclusive to all. All people are Chosen and All land is Holy. I have been a part of this church since moving to the Bay Area. read more

Celebration of Life at All Souls Episcopal parish in Berkeley. Mother of my best grade school friend passed away days short of her 97th birthday. Her late husband among the Greatest Generation, served in WW2. I dressed in black slacks, and a gray collared shirt, with $15 Big 5 Sporting Goods loafers. Not a day for shorts and sandals, although some of the ladies wore sandals on this 75 degree day. Left Sunnyvale at 12:05pm Saturday and drove the 55 miles to Berkeley, via San Francisco, as 880 northbound had a multi car accident in Union City. Arrived in Berkeley at 1:45pm. Drove up Cedar St, past Shattuck, and just before Rose, saw the church, and followed a car turning into the parking lot from Cedar. Missed the sign that said 'Exit Only" ! Small parking lot, holding at most 35 cars, entrance on Oxford Street, with diagonal parking only. Car in front of me does a turn around, and waits for me to turn around. I back up into an empty diagonal parking spot reserved for clergy only, and just do get turned around, exiting on Cedar street. Don't try this with a pickup truck! End up driving two blocks on Arch toward University of California, and then retracing my route, parking 4 blocks away on Arch north of Rose St in the hilly areas. Rough on the manual transmission parallel parking, backing up on a hill! Walked 10 minutes to join the congregation starting the singing in the main chapel. Cathedral ceilings of wood, super modernistic designed chapel. Color stained glass on the sides, with the place fully packed with at least 150 people. Moving music from the pipes of the organ. Beautiful sermon and eulogy by the Reverend Liz Tichenor. The reverend, assistant, readers, sound tech, ushers, and associate for music were all women! Only the organist was a man. This is Berkeley! Prayers and singing occasionally interrupted by the roar of motorcycles on the street right outside the church. After the service, I go outside past the playground, to the reception area, a large room with cathedral ceilings, and floor to ceiling glass, holding at least 8 tables each with 8 chairs. Great finger food, including salmon on crackers, stuffed mushroom, mini chicken stuffed croissants, deviled eggs, cookies, sliced fruits, lemonade and tea. Talked with a few of my classmates from Berkeley High school class of 1970 -yes I'm that old, but still have my natural black hair. As my ex says, Robert you don't have white hair, because you gave it to everyone else! Met the host and best friend from grade school, his family, and then walked back to the car at 4:45pm On the way back, ran into several people walking to their parked cars, holding seat cushions. They had walked 30 minutes from Memorial Stadium, and were among the 70,000 people watching the Cal-USC game that afternoon. No wonder there was no parking anywhere near the Cal campus! read more

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Great music at the 11:15 service! I love traditional music but I also love the inclusion of spirituals. Sermons are alright. Clergy seems friendly enough. As another reviewer experienced, I also have trouble getting people to shake my hand during the "peace be with you." I only come once a month but chose All Souls because of their 20's/30's group - a rarity in an episcopal church. However, the people in that group don't seem friendly. I went to two events and at the second one, people didn't seem interested in talking to me. read more

If you're looking for a room of people who all agree with each other, then All Souls is not for you. If you're looking for ultra-traditional Anglican liturgy, then All Souls is not for you. If you're looking for a church service that looks like a rock concert full of beautiful hipsters, then All Souls is not for you. But if you're looking for a safe, open, LGBT+ affirming space to explore questions of faith and spirituality...then All Souls just might be for you. And if you're looking for a cross between a Catholic mass run by hippies, an awkward but warm family reunion complete with screaming children, and a support group for people recovering from their religious upbringings...then All Souls is *definitely* for you. read more

Pros: -Enthusiastic singing -Lots of young families (babies welcome too!) and the 20/30s group currently plays kickball on Fridays -Special days like Easter Vigil, Christmas Eve, and All Saints are super festive and welcoming for everyone -Everyone tries hard to be open-minded, justice-oriented, thoughtful, respectful, loving -Great sermons that remind me of God's love and presence, and that I also need to love and be present Cons (mostly fake cuz I love this church): -Proximity to university means people come and go, and groups spark and fizzle -Babies are distracting (but cute. Mine is one of them.) -If you fill out a welcome card, someone will deliver a homemade loaf of bread to you. Bad for low carb diet. -The kick ball team didn't make it to play offs :( read more

We were at All Souls for Holy week this year. From a three hour contemplative service on Good Friday and a great children's service on Saturday afternoon to the Vigil Saturday night and worship on Sunday morning, the place was humming with excitement. Hospitable and kind, we've been attending for several years now and love it. read more

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All Souls offers open communion, which means any baptised person can partake of the Lord's Supper. The clergy wear attractive vestments, color-coded to reflect the religious season. The 8 AM Eucharist, held downstairs in the small Chapel of the Holy Nativity, is a simple, hour-long service with no choir and few frills. The clergy includes men and women. The congregation is mostly educated, affluent, and liberal. I attended the 8 AM Eucharist at All Souls for a few years. Once I had become a regular attender at All Souls, the clergy's interest in me seemed to evaporate.The laity was mostly so distant it was hard to get people to shake my hand during the "peace of Christ." I also got sick of the relentlessly PC sermons. So I've moved on to a different Episcopal church (where, amazingly, my new priest actually talks to me!) read more

Wonderful church! Such a great, thoughtful, welcoming community led by amazing clergy and lay leadership. I'm so glad All Souls is here and to be a part of this community! read more

I moved to Berkeley for 10 months with the Episcopal Service Corps, and found All Souls to be extremely welcoming. Not just that they genuinely mean that "no matter who you are or where you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome here", but they also make tons of space for people to get involved in whatever way feels best for them. Going to the 20s/30s events were always fun, and I especially enjoyed playing on the kickball team. Saying goodbye to this worshiping community at the end of my 10 months was very hard, as I had really become a part of the community in many ways. I look forward to returning to Berkeley to visit friends and this church! read more

If you are burned out on churches that ask you to disconnect your brain in order to be a member of the community you need to come to all souls. If you are looking for a church that will embrace your entire family regardless of what your definition of family is you need to come to all souls. If you are looking for a church that does all kinds of music from the classics to bluegrass, to gospel and does it well you need to come to all souls. If you are looking for a church that is a voice for justice that also values spirituality you need to come to all souls. Progressive, spiritual, friendly, flexible. Come as you are and join the community! read more

I was originally drawn to All Souls Parish six years ago by the website tagline: "All Souls Welcome. Visitors Expected" and the assertion that "no matter who you are or where you are on the spiritual journey, you are welcome here" - both of which I found to be true, and I've been there ever since. The congregation is vibrant, growing, (evidenced by 2 services becoming 3 on Sundays) and reaches out to be active in the surrounding community. I have found All Souls to be especially welcoming to folks who identify as LGBTQ, queer and/or non-binary in gender both as parishioners and as clergy; going beyond "accepting" to actively inviting, supportive, inclusive and representative. No matter how you identify, who you choose to be in relationship with or how you understand God, you truly are welcome. I also appreciate that the Eucharist is open ("ALL who seek Christ are welcome at God's table"), and there are lots of opportunities for participation, formation, and ministry for anyone who feels drawn. I wasn't a church-goer - or an Episcopalian - when I first came to All Souls, but it's my spiritual home now and I rarely miss an opportunity to be there and worship on a Sunday. read more

There is no place like this place. If you're looking for a beautiful church, beautiful music, and a church family that does their best to follow Jesus together, you should come here. Really. read more

Having grown up Catholic and having lived in both Italy and France for awhile, I am all about ritual...the 'bells and smells' sort. Despite the political upheaval and policies I disagree with, I still like the ancient rituals that remain fairly constant. Each year in late September I bring up the issue of the traditional Blessing of the Animals in honor of St. Francis, and the priest at the Episcopal church we currently attend good-naturedly deflects the conversation...something about "Joey-the-Python" and a disaster which very nearly occurred years ago... This year I decided to take matters into my own hands and switch religious establishments, if only for the short term. You see, I live in a house filled with pets, and it seems only fair to pay homage of sorts to them formally. We went to All Souls and it was quite a sight! I am pretty certain everyone in Berkeley with a pet who felt so inclined was there. The priest made it a point of blessing each and every animal (even something in a Petri dish...which I later learned was a scorpion...ahem...). The childrens' choir led many verses of "All Things Wise and Wonderful" and rather than some tired Biblical passages, Walt Whitman was read....it was moving, meaningful, and so utterly joyful. I cannot remember a better Sunday service. Here's something else which made me even happier to know this place exists: There used to be an older priest there named Father Clancy who used to give out animal crackers instead of communion wafers (at least this one Sunday a year). The whole thing was light-hearted yet remained serious in terms of the sermon on caring for the environment. Since this IS North Berkeley after all, the communion bread was something whole grain (no wafer to stick to the roof of your mouth!), the coffee hour treats were all homemade and the people who were established parishiners could not have been more welcoming. I am trying my best not to become too cynical in the world we live in, and I must say, my prayers were answered this particular Sunday: the parrot we inherited 8 years ago did not utter her foul-mouthed question for the entire proceedings ("What the f*#k??!!"). Perhaps miracles do occur.... This is a fine place to visit whether you are a regular church-goer or simply want to hear a good sermon once in awhile. I plan on attending again. read more

This has been my church home for four years now, and I have enjoyed being a part of this congregation more so than any other I've worshipped at for the last twenty years. The rector and associate rector, Revs. Phil Brochard and Liz Tichenor (and former associate the Rev. Kristin Krantz), are pastoral, fun, and forward-thinking. Their sermons routinely challenge me to resist the way of the world and follow the way of Jesus. A previous review mentioned "PC sermons"- preaching styles or clergy may have changed, but you won't hear too many PC sermons anymore. And the music! FINALLY an Episcopal church that has broken loose of the 1982 Hymnal. AND successfully sings songs from both Wonder, Love and Praise, and Lift Every Voice and Sing. Not to mention the Angel Band, which sings amazing American folk gospel songs. Instruments you might hear on a Sunday include voices, guitar, banjo, mandolin, accordion, clarinet, flute, washtub, stand-up bass, trumpet, and Celtic and African drums. And people even clap regularly. I worship much more through music than I do through spoken word, and from my first Sunday here, I knew this was the place for me. That being said, there is a beautiful spoken service at 7:30am Sundays, which even I enjoyed. There are tons of families, kid-friendly activities in the pews, and a special Children's Chapel during the 9 and 11:15 services where the kids have their own worship time in the downstairs chapel. There are middle and high school youth groups. There is a thriving young adult community, which is also something unusual in an Episcopal church. Like any community of humans getting together and trying to love each other, this church has its own quirks and faults. But, this is a very special place, and I am thrilled to be able to leave this 5-star review. read more

If you have gone to many different churches and been disillusioned please try coming to All Souls Episcopal Parish in Berkeley. This church community is extremely welcoming, offers great preaching, excellent and diverse music, is very progressive and inclusive, and is deeply religious and spiritual in the best meanings of both of those words. I have been attending this church for some time and I continue to find that it has a deep sense of community and hospitality. Equally important, you won't be asked to check your brain at the door when you enter. read more

The last time I was church-shopping, about 6 years ago, I started looking for a church with a website. If you can't maintain a website, you probably can't maintain a thriving church community. all Souls Parish in Berkeley not only had a website, it was intricate and up to date! Then I was curious if they had something for everyone in my family: a functioning Stephen Ministry to provide support for my ailing father, small group meditation for my mother, and an active 20's & 30's group for myself. There truly is something here for everyone. From a bluegrass band to a meals and rides program, to everything in between. Best of all, God is felt strongly here and there is no judgement on anyone. Whoever you are, wherever you have been, you are welcome just as you are. read more

I had to leave a previous parish because of bullying so I was, quite frankly, a little shy about committing to a new one. I am happy at All Souls because it has a lively community with something for all parishioners from newborn to ninety. It really does welcome EVERYONE on various stages of their spiritual journeys. I enjoy the music which is a blend of traditional hymns, "ancient future" chants, beautiful choral music, and toe-tapping bluegrass. They do a lot of excellent social justice work in the local and wider communities and the preaching is quite good as well. read more

Although raised Catholic I did not go to church or at all identify as a Christian as an adult. But I found myself really wanting a spiritual community and missing some of the traditions I grew up with. I was so happy to find All Souls. It is a welcoming, accepting, non-dogmatic community and I have felt my skepticism to be welcomed and understood. The ministers are amazing and help present Christian beliefs in a way that is profoundly helpful and relevant to the modern world. They help me to become a better person and try to live closer to my values. It is also a very kid friendly congregation. My kids love going (playground and cookies don't hurt). If you are looking for a supportive, lovely spiritual home come check it out. read more

Family-friendly, inclusive and progressive church. Great music and thought-provoking sermons. Many opportunities for spiritual growth for all ages, and many ways to get involved in social justice read more

I found All Souls a few years ago in my search for a spiritual path. I continue to discover so many companions here in all faith traditions, ages, cultures, backgrounds, sexual identities and understandings. What most share is deep respect for and curiosity about each others' beliefs and experiences, whether they are atheists or deeply religious or anywhere in between. The music can be Bach organ pieces, simple hymns, Thomas Tallis, Emmylou Harris, Taize chant, gospel music, roots music, string quartets, works from African and middle eastern and Russian orthodox traditions, sing-along rounds, it goes on and on. You'll hear deeply affecting Sunday sermons from a number of gifted church leaders and staff (male and female), especially the current pastor and assistant pastor. This is a place of much rich discussion, lively small group participation, moving rituals and - yes - a lot of laughter. Drop in, you won't feel pressured to stay or join or anything. Hope you will enjoy it as much as I have. read more

A fabulous place to worship! Whether you are single or have kids, young or old, gay or straight, this place will welcome you. They have a 10 am Eucharist (communion) every Sunday. There is full child care down stairs and the kids come up after the sermon. There is a great range of music from traditional hymns to spirituals to newer pieces with an organ, piano, trumpet and sometimes a string band. The sermons are lively -- faithful but thoughtful and not offering easy answers. There is a healthy community feel and there is always a great spread of food afterwards. Check it out, you won't be sorry. read more