With everything going on in the world today, we know that it’s more important than ever for people to reconnect with God and build a relationship with a congregation of like-minded worshippers. Akron continues to grow in population and so do the churches in Akron, OH. All houses of worship seem to offer an inviting atmosphere that promotes and fuels spiritual connection, but most people seem to prefer one denomination or another based on their beliefs or religious experience.
We’ve compiled a list of beautiful churches in Akron across multiple denominations, including Catholic, Baptist, Presbyterian, and more to help you discover a new congregation to worship in after you’ve moved to the city.
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St. Bernard Catholic Church – Wealthy Church with Diverse Congregation
Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful, wealthy, and well-kept churches in the area. St. Bernard’s Parish is a Catholic church, following all the traditional beliefs and teachings of Catholicism. The congregation consists of a wide range of races and ages and the website is no different. Beautifully designed with the option for Spanish, their website is elegant, informative, and updated regularly. The pastoral staff is impressive and some members can speak both English and Spanish fluently.
Live streaming of Sunday Mass is available. St. Bernard offers mass three times on Sundays, Saturday afternoons, and throughout the week.
44 University Ave, Akron, OH 44308 | (330) 253-5161 | [email protected]
Second Baptist Church – Second Oldest Black Congregation in Akron
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Pastor Roderick C. Pounds Sr. and First Lady Minister Deborah Pounds lead the Second Baptists who were founded on the idea of helping those in need. Ever since the organization was founded in 1897 by 9 freed slaves, we have endeavored to provide help where the need is greatest through ample volunteer work. The Second Baptist Church is predominantly an African American congregation that prides itself on its song and praise services! All services, worship, and sermons are available on Facebook Live and GoToMeeting app.
690 South Main Street, Akron, Ohio 44311 | (330) 762-6879 | [email protected]
Shiloh Baptist Church – Strong Community and Volunteerism
With an exclusively black congregation, Shiloh Baptist is a ministry church founded in 1920. They offer live praise through online streaming every Sunday and virtual bible studies on Tuesdays via Zoom.
Rev. Curtis A. Minter, Sr. is known for being captivating and enlightening and his Sunday sermons are regarded as some of the more exciting in Akron. Joining one of the ministries is a great way to work with like-minded folks while getting more exposure to God. Members of Shiloh Baptist Church formed the FOCUS Ministry to provide hot lunch programs and a food pantry to assist families in the area.
1241 Grant St, Akron, OH 44301 | (330) 724-8163 | [email protected]
First Congregational Church of Akron – Open and Affirming Church
Rev. Nanette Pitt leads the Christian congregation with the help of a couple of associate ministers. She’s been with the church for years and has seen it grow and flourish since signing on. With a support staff of 10, the church is accepting of all races, ages, ethnicities, gender identities, and sexual orientations. The first statement regarding the church’s core values is acceptance! “First Church seeks to be a safe place where all are welcomed regardless of human or social distinction. Having been accepted as we are, we are open to others.”
Two worship sessions on Sunday encourage the entire family to participate and to “come as you are”. If you can’t get to service or prefer to worship at home, join in online via their livestreaming on Youtube.
292 E. Market Street, Akron, OH 44308 | (330) 253-5109 | [email protected]
Maranatha Bible Church – Family-Centered Church with Programs for All Ages
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Maranatha caters to those that want to praise from home. If you’re just not getting out and about to find a new church yet, have health concerns, or are just curious, check out the online sermons. There are also two in-person worship sessions every Sunday, with a kids program provided.
Pastor Butch Pursley draws upon his 45+ years of pastoral experience to lead and disciple the staff of Maranatha Bible Church. Under Butch’s leadership, Maranatha has planted five daughter churches in neighboring communities so obviously they’re a very popular congregation. The congregation is mostly caucasian, though they accept all ethnicities with open arms! If your beliefs match theirs, you’re sure to enjoy the experience.
1424 Killian Road, Akron, Ohio 44312 | (330) 645-2681 | [email protected]
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church – Accepting of All People with Traditional Worship
The Episcopalians are heavily involved in the community. They believe working selflessly to help the world is one of the best ways to cultivate a more refined relationship with God. St. Paul in Akron lets you know right away that they accept everybody through their doors, regardless of any personal identification or life preferences. Beyond that, they have traditional ways of worship and beliefs.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is also home to the oldest preschool in Akron, serving children from ages 3 to 5. During Sunday’s worships, children can attend specialized, age-appropriate programming based on the topic of that week’s adult sermon.
1361 W Market St, Akron, OH 44313 | (330) 836-9327 | [email protected]
New Hope Baptist Church – Baptist Community with Contemporary Gospel Music
The New Hope Baptist Church is evolving and changing to try and reach a younger generation. (They even have an active Facebook page!) The church, only around for 70 years, is composed of multiple races and offers religious programming for all ages. Contemporary gospel music with a live band leads the congregation in song, followed by bible study and prayers. If you’re focused on spreading the word of God while doing good for the community, perhaps you should consider the New Hope.
The New Hope Baptist Church offers a livestream of its services.
1706 S Hawkins Ave, Akron, OH 44320 | (330) 865-9472 | [email protected]
St. Vincent de Paul – Oldest Catholic Church and School in Akron
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Known for being the oldest church in Akron, St. Vincent has a classic feel with a modest congregation. Almost exclusively caucasian, St. Vincent’s accepts all races but holds everybody to the typical traditions of catholicism with an extra heavy emphasis on the sacraments. St. Vincent offers a livestream of their Sunday Holy Mass and access to previous Sunday mass recordings.
The connected St. Vincent de Paul Parish School serves to develop young Catholics to understand one another and strive to change the world while maintaining Christ in their minds, bodies, and hearts.
164 W Market St, Akron, OH 44303 | (330) 535-3135
St. Matthew Parish – Large Catholic Congregation
Boasting a larger congregation than some of the other Catholic churches, St. Matthew’s also caters to those who are stuck at home and can’t get out by streaming their services on their website. Mostly caucasian but accepting of all ethnicities, St. Matthew’s maintains traditional Catholic beliefs, but tends to be a little younger and more understanding. The smaller staff requires less monetary demand but promotes better one on one relations with their congregation.
Mass is available on Saturday afternoons, twice on Sunday, and throughout the week. Religion classes for grades K-8 are held on Sunday mornings. Due to lack of enrollment and funds, sadly St. Matthew Parish had to close their Catholic School in June of 2020.
2603 Benton Ave, Akron, OH 44312 | (330) 733-9944 | [email protected]
Nativity of The Lord Jesus Catholic Church – Offers The Bethlehem Cave
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Touting the Roman Catholic designation, the Nativity of the Lord Jesus Catholic Church has a heavy focus on children’s education and a large variety of learning courses and ministries. Nativity is an interesting church as it spends time and money replicating scenes of the Bible.
Located in the basement of the church, The Bethlehem Cave is a replica of the cave where Jesus was born as it appears in the church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and serves as a chapel and place for pilgrimage. The chapel includes the Altar of the Nativity, the Altar of the Magi, and the manger of the Infant Jesus.
2425 Myersville Rd, Akron, OH 44312 | (330) 699-5086
Churches Map
Finding the right congregation for you and your family if you’re new to Akron can be daunting. This list of local churches features the most common denominations in Akron, but there are other churches representing other denominations that you should research when you’re trying to decide the best home of worship for you and your family. There are other churches right in Akron and even more that aren’t too far away in some of the other suburbs, as well. When you’ve chosen your church and you’re ready to relocate, contact Akron, OH movers to make your relocation stress-free.
