Finding a church when you move to Los Angeles
Los Angeles has long been a city where new religious movements find fertile ground, but its Christian landscape runs deep beneath the trendy surface. The Azusa Street Revival of 1906 launched the global Pentecostal movement from a converted livery stable in what is now downtown LA, and that Pentecostal and charismatic tradition remains one of the city's defining religious currents. Large non-denominational and megachurch congregations are heavily concentrated in the San Fernando Valley and the communities surrounding it. The Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles is the largest in the country by membership, serving a predominantly Latino population across nearly 300 parishes.
What the church landscape looks like in Los Angeles
Catholic is numerically dominant, with the Archdiocese serving a population that is roughly 70% Latino. Non-denominational evangelical congregations — many megachurch-scale — are the second major presence, particularly in suburban areas. Historically Black denominations including AME, National Baptist, and Church of God in Christ have deep South Central roots. Korean churches — Presbyterian, Methodist, and Baptist — are concentrated in Koreatown and the San Gabriel Valley.
Starting points across denominations
These are churches across different traditions in Los Angeles — a first-visit list, not a ranking. Click any to see service times, groups, and contact information.
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Angelus Temple
Pentecostal
1100 Glendale Blvd
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Bel Air Presbyterian Church
Presbyterian
16221 Mulholland Dr
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Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
Catholic
555 W. Temple Street
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Church of the Open Door
Non-denominational
550 S Hope St, Los Angeles, CA 90071, USA
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Crenshaw Christian Center
Non-denominational
7901 S Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90044, USA
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Faithful Central Bible Church
Non-denominational
333 W Florence Ave, Inglewood, CA 90301, USA
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First Baptist Church Los Angeles
Baptist
760 S Westmoreland Ave
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First Baptist Church of Los Angeles
Baptist
760 S. Westmoreland Ave
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First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood
Presbyterian
1760 N. Gower St
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Grace Baptist Church Los Angeles
Baptist
2800 S Figueroa St
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Grace Community Church
Non-denominational
13248 Roscoe Blvd, Sun Valley, CA 91352, USA
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Highland Park Christian Church
Non-denominational
Highland Park Christian Church, 4900 N Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90042, USA
Knowing God — J.I. Packer
The Valley of Vision — Puritan Prayers
The Jesus Storybook Bible — Sally Lloyd-Jones
The Books of the Bible — John H. Sailhamer
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Questions new residents ask
- How do I pick a church when I move to Los Angeles?
- Start by attending two or three churches in your first month — don't commit too quickly. Consider what kind of worship you connect with (contemporary vs. liturgical), whether the church has groups that match your stage of life, and how far it is from where you're living. NearFaith lists service times and group types for churches in Los Angeles so you can compare before you visit.
- What denominations are most common in Los Angeles?
- Based on NearFaith listings, Non-denominational (13 churches), Presbyterian (3 churches), Baptist (3 churches) represent the largest clusters in Los Angeles. Catholic is numerically dominant, with the Archdiocese serving a population that is roughly 70% Latino. Non-denominational evangelical congregations — many megachurch-scale — are the second major presence, particularly in suburban areas. Historically Black denominations including AME, National Baptist, and Church of God in Christ have deep South Central roots. Korean churches — Presbyterian, Methodist, and Baptist — are concentrated in Koreatown and the San Gabriel Valley.
- What if I'm just visiting Los Angeles for a few weeks?
- Most churches welcome guests warmly, and you don't need to explain that you're only visiting. If you're in town for a short stay, look for a church with multiple weekend services — it's easier to fit into a schedule. NearFaith shows service times so you can plan ahead.
- Are there churches in Los Angeles with small groups or ministries for newcomers?
- Yes. Many churches in Los Angeles run specific newcomer dinners, connection classes, or small groups designed to help new residents meet people. Check individual church profiles on NearFaith — the Groups tab lists men's groups, women's Bible studies, young adult ministries, and community programs.
Community conversations
Questions, prayers, and wins from people exploring churches in Los Angeles.
Ready to search by neighborhood or denomination?