I love the singing and building but I don't think the members are too friendly. No one is coming to…read moregreet or speak to the guests. Also, I came on a Sunday and the doors were locked. Never heard of a church being closed on Sundays and they don't baptize people whenever they are ready, they baptize them on their baptism Sunday which I don't believe is according to the Bible

They offer a welcoming and inclusive environment and they always have activities/events going on.read more

I appreciate how the church stays true to biblical teachings in everything it does. The messages…read moreare grounded in Scripture, and it's clear that the leadership prioritizes God's Word in all aspects of ministry. It's inspiring to see a church that remains faithful to the gospel and encourages its congregation to live and love like Jesus. I have been deeply and meaningfully encouraged by each service I attend. The pastors are anointed to deliver the freedom that only comes through Christ, and they humbly encourage personal insight into how God wants to speak to you as an individual. Attend if you are ready to be challenged to put your cares at the feet of Jesus and let him minister to your soul. The music is world class. These musicians aren't simply "song leaders", they exude an attitude of worship and joy that invites a connection with a Holy God that is intimate, and it prepares your heart to listen. Be still, and rest.

I only came here once in person but immediately something felt off. Call it the Holy Spirit or my…read moregut but the sermon didn't feel very biblical at all. I did some digging and their core values and beliefs don't seem to align with the Word. The pastor was just mumbling and he was just saying a whole lot of nothing. The sermons seem to be very surface-level literally just repeating what the Bible says word for word, without an in-depth intellectual analysis of the Word.

Located on 29th and Wabash, this cozy church serves over 200 guests with fresh produce and fruit…read moreevery two weeks. Its very close to Chinatown. Volunteers help unload and pack bags for the community. Masks and social distancing is required. There are Mandarin and Cantonese translators. I came to volunteer at 830a and wrapped up by 1130a. Its normally open at 9a to 12p but sometimes closes early if there are not enough people. Its a great place to volunteer and serve the community for a few hours.

From the first moment we came to St. James 3 years ago, we have felt personally welcomed by this…read morewarm, vibrant Catholic community. The congregation is small and remarkably diverse with parishioners from around the globe (Haiti, Viet Nam, Germany, China, Cameroon, India, Philippines, Colombia, Mexico, Kenya and many more) as well as from the Bronzeville neighborhood. Sunday Mass is said in the church hall at 9:30 and 11:30, and daily mass is said in the chapel in the rectory at 7:30 am. Pastor John Edmunds, S.T. is a strong, centering spiritual force at St James, and he is also very kind and approachable. Our Music Minister, Dan Murphy, and the choir are wonderful - lively, spiritual and inspirational. St. James has Bible Studies, Sunday School, RCIA, Campus Ministry, Young Marrieds, and many other opportunities for community fellowship. St. James has a very strong Social Care Ministry with a busy food pantry that has been providing food to needy families since 1972. The Pantry also serves lunch to the homeless Mondays - Thursday, delivers food to the elderly and homebound and has festive holiday dinners for seniors. I encourage you to come to St. James next Sunday for Mass. I promise you will be welcomed and that your heart will be filled with the Holy Spirit!

What a beautiful church but most of all what a beautiful congregation of devotees of God who give…read moreto the community with such love and soul. Pastor Lou. Is a great leader and he directs this congregation to be kind to the community and to love all people. What a wonderful Shepherd.. thank you so much. They have community fairs and events where they donate things like clothing that people need. Thank you for being in this world!

I came to Liberty Christian Center about-16 years ago & after moving in respects to gods will as…read morethe pastor had suggested my husband then & so we did I continue to remain close to god. And after 16 yrs I Just returned as the spirit moves me with his love, & guidance. It's not about the church just as not by works it's about god and who he is moving in me. I continuously grow as he's my Shepard & I follow. I left in a battle god as my pastor had suggested & by gods grace I over came with victory being his. It was a painful 28 year battle with the flesh & as I promise my biological father who wasn't in my life but moments @ a time to always seek god also made sure that he always prayed for me and my sibling. So father of the fatherless stood close and remains with us. So with tearful prayer once again an answered to one of my many prayers. I prayed to god to let me dream, feel , see, & hear him. And months later he awoke me early prior to opening my eyes saying in his soft gentle yet mascullan voice with above all love, I am here with you , I have always been with you, & I always will be with you. Wow, wow, wow!!! And months later hugged me which is another testimony. And I know is all simply to manifest his presence in life. And my proof is in my borrowed blessed life as I continue to surrender even if still am in the making. Liberty Christian Center is where god still leads me. And even if Pasture William has gone home sweet home & as I I'm sure many more miss him and so he's with our father who art in heaven as so I also look up to being. I'm still feeling that spiritual connection as I had just begun knowing for sure he's not done . As I spiritually continue to grow as forever my most harts desires I'm still feeling like a lost sheep and perhaps that's why the lord is my Shepard os my favorite Bible verse. Praise be to Jesus Christ who as was is & forever will be who he claims was, is, infinity & beyond, amen, amen, & amen.

This is a small active church that is diverse and very family oriented. Father Dominick has…read morebrought fresh ideas and a lot of energy which has overall been good even if I don't agree with all the changes. There is a priest who I cannot understand and you never know who will be the priest for a service and this means I don't understand the homily on days he is serving. The church is perpetually under funded the entire time I've been here - 20 years - but somehow it marches on. There is no a/c in the summer and the fans are so loud you never hear the service.

I recommend this church because it's convenient for the neighborhood and it feels comfortable…read morethere. No stress at all going in and finding a seat with the crowds on a Sunday. It's a Novus Ordo church,but it's still nice. Unfortunately though,there's one priest that can't enunciate English well and his voice is like a drone. I get it that English isn't his first language,but it's irritating. Also their bulletin I think is either confusing accidentally or on purpose. They put in a bulletin(which every church in the diocese has)a mass schedule with days and times and an individual priest for each,but then it's a different one like a last minute switch and it happens too often. I don't mean to be rude about this priest,God Bless Him but I don't want to have to listen hard to understand him.

Man I feel really bad giving a church one star. (I hope the man upstairs doesn't get too upset with…read moreme!) First the positive. The church is absolutely beautiful! It's decorated nicely and it has huge ceilings. I really liked it. Ok negatively speaking this church concentrates on issues pertaining to social justice more than issues pertaining to God. For example once I went and it was all about health care. I felt like I was at a college lecture rather than church. No disrespect to anyone who may go here but for me I need more spiritual guidance. I felt this was lacking here. I kept waiting to hear something related to God but I didn't. Needless to say this didn't work out for me.

I started attending First U in Summer 2012 while I was shopping for a new church home. On March 17,…read more2013, I became a member, and am now on a committee. Churches love their committees! First U is very welcoming. My first service, Bobbi walked around with me during Social Hour and introduced me to people who had similar interests as mine as well as people who worked in my field (education). So I didn't have to navigate among strangers alone. I felt connected instantly with the people there, and it was like a homecoming. There is a great variety in the sermons. I always come away with some new insight to think about. It's a very liberal congregation, politically and religiously, which I like. I don't have to worry about hearing something that contradicts my politics. However, I still often feel challenged, which I also want. Church shouldn't always be warm and fuzzy. Also, there is a great diversity in races, life stages and ages at that church, though it is definitely reflective of the Hyde Park neighborhood. Besides political and spiritual connection, I also wanted a church with an active young adult group, which is also at First U. Many, though not all, of the young adults are affiliated with U of C, but there are also professionals like me who go to young adult outings. If you are looking for a liberal, welcoming, diverse church home on the south side, definitely stop at First U for service one Sunday.

Very kind, friendly, and welcoming an organization filled with love, thoughtfulness, and blessings.read more

I was a member of this church and paid tithes, perhaps not the amount expected, but I paid…read moresomething. My autism son and I came off and on for 7 years when I wasn't traveling for work and cooked for the members of the church. I started a program, my own business for Autism children in June 2025. I have ​a certificate for my business A.L.L (Autism Leading Legends) where children are helped with their speech, reading, math and there are activities that's tailored to each individual need. I spoke about this to a church member and she suggested that I should consider having my services at the church considering the church has the space, tables, chairs, desk and a gym. I thought it was a fantastic idea. She told me who I need to speak to regarding the space. I spoke to this church member and he told me the requirements of renting the space and to fill out an application online. The requirements was to have insurance in case one of the children gets hurt and there was a hourly charge. As a member, I didn't think there would be a charge, but ok. I obtained the insurance and agreed to the hourly charge of $60 on Fridays from 4pm-6pm. I'm thinking this is great, I live directly across the street from the church, I'm off on Fridays to give two hours to the Autism community to help them with their development and growth. I also spoke with the pastor regarding what my intention were for wanting to rent the space for such a great cause and knowing that this church is great for supporting community services. I was told by her ( pastor) that she doesn't get involved with decisions about renting space at the church. I later was contacted by a member of the church's committee. He informed me that the committee has questions and concerns about my program. The questions and the concerns was not making any sense at all. Questions were am I qualify to help autism children? How I'm going to teach speech therapy? What is my job title? I explained that I'm qualified because I have the experience with autism because I taught and created activities and speech for my Autism son who was nonverbal​ now is talking, reading and behaving extremely well. I have 20 yrs of experience with autism spectrum and fully aware of their needs, development and I can give back to the Autism community with my experience and knowledge which is why I opened up my own business. The questions and concerns went back and forth for two weeks. My question to the committee members was why do my job title have anything to do with me wanting to give back to the autism community? I'm a Respiratory Therapist and a mother of an Autism son, I have the capabilities to help the autism community. I was told that they still had concerns about my program. I couldn't believe what I was hearing, it was such a disappointment and a let down coming from a church that supposedly support community services. I am no longer a member and I would not consider ever rejoining this church. This church wether give a sports team permission to rent space, but not permission for a cause that will help the community. I wish Pastor Neff was still a pastor, I know for a fact that my program for Autism would have been appreciated and would have been approved. God knows who voted no regarding the approval to have the autism program at the church. God will continue to bless the Autism community and their needs. ​​​

I really enjoyed visiting this church. The architecture is beautiful, and even though it's not very…read morelarge, it has a special charm that makes it stand out. I've visited many churches in the area, and this one is definitely one of my favorites. The people here are very kind and welcoming, which made the experience even better. There are also so many beautiful works of art inside that are worth taking the time to admire. Overall, it's a wonderful place to pray and reflect, and I would definitely come back again for Sunday Mass or during the holidays.

Beautiful church. Grateful to the lady that unlocked the doors on 12/22/2023, to allow us to come…read morein and pray.