Faith and Stunning Beauty Shine in Abilene’s Historic Churches

A Growing Community and Its Churches

I live in a neighborhood that has seen a steady influx of new families over the years. Some are military families, while others are moving in to take advantage of the new businesses that continue to bloom in Abilene. The one thing I hear over and over from my neighbors is how “Abilene is such a wonderful city to raise a family in.” And right after that, the next thing they often mention is, “Wow, Abilene sure has a lot of churches!”

Searching for a Church Home

Just recently, my neighbor David and I were chatting about his search for a new church home. He’s new to Abilene and comes from a small city church that’s been around since the 1920s. He told me he’d love to find something similar here—something that feels like a place where grandparents set the foundation of faith and family.

Architectural Beauty and Faith

That conversation got me thinking about the incredible churches we have here in Abilene, especially those with historic architecture. Some of the older churches, built in the early 1900s through the 1940s, are absolute masterpieces. Their craftsmanship and attention to detail tell a story of faith, resilience, and community. Driving by these stunning buildings at night, when their stained glass windows are aglow or their crosses are lit up, fills my heart with pride. It’s a reminder of the strength of our community and its deep faith.

Get our free mobile app

Personal Connections to Faith

As someone who has attended many churches—thanks in part to my kids who invited me to join them at theirs—I’ve come to appreciate the variety and beauty of these places of worship. Whether it’s early morning with the sun just rising or late at night with the parking lots packed for services, these sights make me grateful to live in a city that embraces faith so openly.

I started as an altar boy in the second grade and eventually became a White Knight of the altar when I was heading to college. Years later, I was even ordained and performed my first wedding for my former morning show co-host. Those experiences have deepened my appreciation for what churches represent—faith, family, and community.

How Many Churches and Denominations?

Did you know Abilene has 171 churches? That’s a far cry from the “320 or more” I used to believe we had. The pandemic has had its impact, but Abilene remains rich in its various churches and congregations. And when it comes to denominations, we have over 30 represented here—a surprising and inspiring diversity.

A Diverse Faith Community

Here’s a list of the denominations you’ll find in Abilene:

The Different Abilene Denominations Are:

• African Methodist Episcopal
• Apostolic
• Apostolic Assembly of the Faith in Christ Jesus
• Assemblies of God
• Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ
• Baptist (CBA)
• Baptist (SBC)
• Catholic
• Christian Churches and Churches of Christ
• Church of Christ
• Church of God (Cleveland, TN)
• Church of God of Prophecy
• Church of the Nazarene
• Disciples of Christ
• Episcopal
• Foursquare
• General Association of Regular Baptist Churches
• Grace Communion International
• Independent Baptist
• Lutheran (ELCA)
• Lutheran (LCMS)
• Methodist (EMC)
• Methodist (UMC)
• Nondenominational
• Orthodox Christian
• Pentecostal
• Pentecostal (UPCI)
• Presbyterian
• Presbyterian (PCUSA)
• Seventh-day Adventist

A Hub for Faith and Community

Abilene isn’t just a great place to worship—it’s also a hub of community events hosted by churches. No matter the time of year, you can find church activities, from festivals to service projects, bringing people together.

A Final Thought

I’ll leave you with this: A city can never have too many churches or beautiful places of worship. These structures and the faith they represent are part of what makes Abilene so special. As I like to say, “God loves you, and so do I. See you in church, neighbor.”