On our way down to Bodega Bay, we made a pit stop to St. Teresa of Avila Church. Made famous from…read moreAnsel Adam's photography, as well as a feature in Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds", this old church is incredibly well maintained on the outside. We arrived around 11am on a Sunday, and was quite surprised that at how empty the place was. There was one other person parked there when we pulled up, but surprisingly there was no service in session. The church itself was closed and locked down, but we saw no signage anywhere to indicate that they were any factors (renovation, etc..) that might result in an extended closure. I guess service is either just really early in the morning, or not held regularly here. We walked to the back of the church where you'll see a marked grave for Ellen Orr. Turns out, she was a first cousin to Mrs. O'Farrell, wife of Jasper O'Farrell; of whom O'Farrell street in San Francisco was named after. A bit further down the path and around the corner you'll find Potter Schoolhouse, which was the setting for the schoolhouse scene in "The Birds". The school is now a private residence, and they no longer offer paid tours. There are two driveways up the steep but short hill leading to the church. One is for incoming traffic, and the other is for outgoing traffic. Sadly, the driveways are not marked so it's a bit too easy to go through the wrong one. There is also a restroom out back, but it is locked during non-service hours.

Lovely, simple historical church perched on a hill that yields beautiful vistas of the contoured,…read morerolling farmland. I attended a 5pm Saturday mass that drew different participants from well-dressed women to local fisherman to bright young people, a good community. Even if you're not Catholic and even if you're not a believer, take time to check out this peaceful structure and sit a while.

I am a seeker, so I have no hard connection to this church or its denomination, but it was quite…read moredifficult for me as an outsider. I'll start with the positives: There are lots of groups here, the space, although small, is well used, and the music is absolutely amazing! All the congregates seemed so enthusiastic to be there, which really drew me in until the sermon. I also love that they offer ASL interpretations in their recorded sermons! All that being said, I found myself feeling intimidated by the amount of "fire and brimstone" preaching towards sinners and non-believers and was put off by the amount of political discussion by congregation members outside of the service that made me, an openly queer person, feel a bit unsafe and ready to get going as soon as I could. I'm so glad this place works for some people, but the lack of compassion for outsiders did not work for me.

I happened upon the rock about 7 years ago... The church…read morehas helped me grow in Christ and has been a blessing in my life. The doctrine of sound and the word is preached faithfully every Sunday. Looking for a home church and you don't have one yet consider the Rock church here in Santa Rosa...

Love this church! The pastor is relatable and keeps people engaged in the message! My 7 year old…read moredaughter loves their Sunday school program too! We came from a giant church which was great but wanted a more family feel and a more caring pastor and we found it at New Vintage!

My husband and I considered this our church while living in Santa Rosa. Darren speaks at a level…read morewhere we all can relate in life. Derrick and Annemarie ran a couple's small group which we highly recommend. We built fantastic relationships and got to know fellow church goers. 3 services on Sunday makes it very convenient.

I have gone to Redwood Covenant church for 15 yrs before they became Bayside Covenant Church. I…read morelove all the people that I've met there they make you part of a big family you feel the connection the Lord intended for this to be a way of life a gathering of spiritual peace, love and hope for a better tomorrow I just love the place. The effect is Great. I recomend Bayside to every family it fills the void sharing the gospel passing the word is quite neighborly Thank you God and Bayside for building a great community, Let Jesus into your life.

FABULOUS!! We totally appreciate the worship and the teaching AND the TACO Tuesday! The kindness of…read morethe staff and attendees is obvious and true.

Many Gambini's were baptized at the Church of the Assumption beginning in 1880. Barry and I loved…read morestanding in front of the alter where his grandparents were married in 1903. The church is Spirit filled with years of history binding it together. We look forward to being there in August for the annual celebration. We encourage anyone who is near to stop and visit this wonderful place! Susan and Barry Gambini July 30, 2018

I enjoyed the priest's homily using the homeless controversy in San Francisco to illustrate Jesus'…read moreparable of the Good Samaritan. The mass started on time, there was no singing, and the spiritual experience was still uplifting. The 1030 English mass will start at 830 beginning August 1, 2016.

The Metropolitan Community Church is a very small, inclusive, LGBT-friendly congregation. They meet…read morein a community center that overlooks the Russian River. The MCC is a welcoming community. During Pride in San Francisco, the congregation can even be smaller than usual. They have potlucks, their cookbook can be purchased at local bookstores&they hold charitable events like bingo. The MCC is all about social justice. Tho they meet in a rather dreary community center, they're a kind, compassionate group.

What this church lacks in size, it makes up for in spirit. You will be welcomed regardless of who…read moreyou are, your spiritual tradition, or lack thereof. With a goal toward inclusion, social justice, and service to our community this is a place to experience the love of God in action.

I go to St. Dorothy's twice a year, Presidents & Labor Day weekends, for the Artists and Writers…read moreRetreat. This is a wonderful experience I've been participating in for nearly 30 years--and it's great every time. You can bring any creative project you want to work on, and enjoy a richly supportive environment with warm, interesting people. All levels, from dabblers to professionals, are welcome. We all learn from each other. It's the best!

St. Dorothy's Rest is an amazing camp held every summer beginning in June. As a kid I came here…read morewith Lucile Packard Children's Hospital in the transplant group from ~ 1995-2000. Memories here will stay for a lifetime. The counselors, campers and staff are all amazing and being the oldest summer camp (founded in 1901) it certainly has it's history. I recently went back after 13ish years (this weekend) and a flood of memories came back, as if I was 8 years old again. The smell of the redwoods, clean air, the musty old chapel, and the way the dark wood creaked underneath in Main House (not to mention the smell of burning firewood) was so reminiscent of my days as a camper. Towering redwoods everywhere, fields of green clovers (the trademark of st. dots), and the warm spring air totally put my mind at ease. "Who are, who are, who are we? We are, we are, St. Dorothy's!"

Hessel Church has been a game changer for me, and switching from the Mormon Church (yes, the Church…read moreof Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints--let's just call them the "Mormons" for the sake of simplicity) has felt like escaping a reality show where the only prize was a lifetime supply of bland casseroles. I mean, at Hessel, it's like I've traded in my dreary church attire for a vibrant Hawaiian shirt--bright, colorful, and oh-so-comfortable! Let's start with the pastors. At the Mormon Church, I encountered some serious "stiff-upper-lip" syndrome, which made for sermons that were about as thrilling as watching paint dry. But at Hessel, we've got pastors who are practically stand-up comedians in clerical collars! Pastor Rick and pastor Ken has the knack for weaving in punchlines that leave the whole congregation in stitches. I remember one Sunday when he compared our spiritual journeys to a GPS recalculating when we miss a turn. He said, "No matter how lost you feel, God is always there yelling, 'Recalculating!' but He doesn't charge you extra for the U-turn!" I nearly fell out of my seat with laughter--and thankfully, it was a padded pew! And speaking of pews, the seating arrangement at Hessel is a delightful mix of comfort and camaraderie. No more stiff wooden benches that make you question your life choices as you try to maintain proper posture for an hour. At Hessel, it's like sitting in your favorite recliner while sipping a hot cocoa--except it's Sunday, and you're surrounded by fellow believers who actually want to engage with you. The pastor might even crack a joke about "holy recliners" during his sermon, and suddenly it's a church service and a comedy show rolled into one. Let's talk about the music! At the Mormon Church, "choir practice" often felt like a serious business meeting where everyone was afraid to hit a wrong note. At Hessel, we have a band that can only be described as a holy mashup of rock and roll and gospel soul. I've never been so tempted to join the choir until I realized I'd probably sound like a cat in a blender. But the beauty of Hessel is that everyone can join in--off-key singing is practically encouraged! During one particularly energetic worship song, Pastor Dave even announced, "If you're singing badly, just remember--God loves a joyful noise!" I took that as my personal theme for the service. Then there's the community! At the Mormon Church, community events sometimes felt like mandatory attendance at a family reunion where nobody talked to each other. But at Hessel Church, the congregation is like your quirky aunt and uncle who show up with the best stories and more laughter than you can handle. I remember my first Sunday at Hessel when a friendly couple invited me over for coffee after service. The conversation flowed so easily, I almost forgot how to drink without spilling my coffee everywhere! They shared stories that had me laughing so hard, I almost choked on my donut. The only choking happening here is on laughter--no judgment, just joy! In conclusion, if you're considering switching from the Mormon Church to Hessel Church, I can't recommend it enough! It's a place where laughter and faith go hand in hand, where the sermons are as engaging as a Netflix binge, and the community feels like family (the good kind--no awkward silences or long speeches about potato salad). Hessel Church has become my sanctuary of joy, laughter, and a whole lot of "recalculating" moments. So, thank you, Hessel Church, for showing me that faith doesn't have to be stuffy and solemn--it can be a riot! Five stars, and I'd give more if I could!

Our home church! Started attending right after the fires in 2017. Loved the preaching. Then Covid…read morehit and I appreciated Hessel even more. They pivoted to online and live in a huge tent. When Covid subsided, they were bigger, more vibrant than ever. If you attended a few years ago, you will be so happily surprised by the changes. They have also gone out of their way to be more welcoming. Lots of improvements

Good church good worship and preaching. Lots of room of parking. Well greeted by host. Can help…read morespiritually

Streaming services via Youtube every Sunday at 10am during Shelter-in-Place, and I gotta say -…read morewe're loving them! We stream it to the TV in the living room and participate with the service as a family (while the wife and I often also follow along on our phones to be able to join the chat with the leaders and other viewers - you don't realize how much you miss socializing until you get a chance to do it!). They've been streaming for a while, but they really took it up a notch for this crazy season. Such a blessing!

I Have Been A Part Of The Spring Hills Church Family Since June 2nd 2021!…read moreIt Has Truly Been An Amazing Almost 4.5 Years And It's Only Going To Get Better! Everything Which Was Taken From Me During The Covid Pandemic Was Given Back To Me With Plenty Of Interest And The Spring Hills Family Made It Happen! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND SPRING HILLS!

Tis the season to gather in this charming sanctuary, beautifully adorned with twinkling lights and…read morefestive decor for a heartwarming Christmas program. The air is filled with the sweet scent of pine and the setting is the perfect backdrop for a beautiful Christmas program. Experience the wonder of the season through uplifting music, inspiring performances, and the warmth of the community. The church puts on a journey through Bethlehem -- which brings to life the spirit of the season. Each scene was lovingly crafted, bringing the story of Christmas to life. Staff: Kind and welcoming. Complimentary coffee as well.