Every time I come, it's always a beautiful stay. I plan to visit once a year now. Worship and…read moreprayer are always nice, and there are plenty of hiking spots nearby. Very affordable.

We found the Lodge on the way to Dodge Ridge. From the highway, it looks like a brand new 3 or 4…read morestar property, which really sets it apart from 1 and 2 star motels in the area. When we got home and looked it up, it was a pleasant surprise to find that it is a Christian retreat center. That's why it wasn't listed on Priceline or Expedia. While they're not a ordinary hotel, it is as nice as any resort. The retreat rooms are more like guest rooms in someone's house, with thick window coverings, matching bedspread and linens, and comfy furniture. We stayed in the suite, which comes with everything. Pots and pans, plates and cups, forks and knives, all shiny and new, fresh from Ikea. The cabinets have salt and pepper and cooking oil. I think someone really put thought and love into this place when stocking it. Oh yeah, there was a large screen tv with cable. Not your father's christian retreat! The property is located adjacent to the church, which has a vibrant local community. We dropped in and were welcomed with open arms. They shared with us that the retreat was built by the church members, which explains the TLC and how it can be so nice for the price they charge. I don't know how many acres they have, but it feels large. The property is on a wooded hillside, where you can't see one edge from another. There is a paved walkway from the retreat center to the church on the adjacent property, with bright pathway lighting and gardenlike landscaping. There are also dirt trails between the tall pine trees, if you feel like kicking a few pine cones after dinner. And down in the lobby is the cafe. But that deserves a separate review. I will say, the folks all around, from the panini maker to the property manager, is as friendly as any church elder and professional as any resort host. This really was our find of the year!

This is the largest Catholic Church in the Saint Patrick's parish. I've attended mass here…read moremultiple times. I just returned from the Christmas evening service. The church was packed! Lots of locals and visitors gathered to celebrate mass. The church was decorated for the Christmas Season. I like to look at the nativity scene with all of the pretty lights and statues. I also love singing traditional Christmas carols throughout the service. Everyone is in such a good mood and filled with the holiday spirit. Peace on earth and goodwill to all.

This is a beautiful church. It is fairly large for being in such a small little town. Everyone was…read morevery friendly. It felt like I was at my church at home. I would like to go back around Christmas time to see the decorations.

I have been going to camp for twenty years at St. Sava Mission. It has about 160 beds, a large…read morepool, two baseball fields, a conference room, large cafteria/hall etc... Its perfect for any retreat/camp. I love this place and will always go here. I started out as a camper and now I am camp director of St. George Orthodox Church Camp.

Beautifully peaceful, historical church, with a parish Community that becomes Family!read more

I don't think I ever visited a new church on vacation and wished that church could be relocated to…read more where I lived. I felt that way about St. Patrick's during the two Masses I attended over the Christmas holidays. The homilies of both were memorable, the priests warm, personable, and welcoming. On Christmas Day our priest started the Mass late because he was chatting and didn't realize how late it was. To watch him you could tell he was obviously a good friend to many of the parishioners, and seemed to know everyone by name. My gay-dar pinged when he started Mass which might have been why I immediately liked him. (I love me some gays.) In fact, during the homily when he said "swaddling clothes... whatever THOSE are," I couldn't help but hope he'd slip a sing-song "fabu-lous!" next, although the only gays who do that are in movies. His homily was easily the best I've heard all year - fun and interesting to listen to and inclusive and welcoming. It reminded me of the joy of having a class with a really good professor you could listen to talk all day. The next Mass had a different officiant. He had a really interesting homily about the "Twelve Days of Christmas" song, and you could tell everyone was really listening. My family even talked about the homily in the car on the way home after Mass. The only minor quibble I had was that the priests stand right in front of the back doors of the church when Mass is over so you can't avoid shaking hands with them. I figure priests shake as many hands as politicians so I couldn't wait to get home and sanitize. Also, the front steps are really steep. I note this because my dad walks with a cane and they were a bit much for him. The choir, and in particular the main cantor, had a really impressive soprano range. The guy on piano who resembled Clarence Thomas had a really nice deep voice as well. Except for Clarence Thomas and a smattering of Mexicans, this church was full of honkeys. And lots and lots of old people. And those old people might not know a friend of Dorothy even if he preached right in front of them.

I've been attending since 2023 as I am f/t resident in the area. I love it. I love the…read moreparishioners the priests and Monsignor.

Nestled in a quiet, forest glen, surrounded on all sides by giant pines, Our Lady of the Sierra is…read moreunique. Coming here you sense that you are at one with God and nature, as a calm peacefulness pervades the air. The architecture inside is lovely, the wooden ceiling harmonizing with the giant trees. Handsome wooden benches outside allow for outdoor church events, leveraging the beautiful setting. A memorable place of worship.

Loving, family oriented, bible teaching church. Small, but devoted to Jesus. God literally is at…read morethis church, blessing it. New to the area making this my choice and I encourage you to come join the family.

Everyone is super sweet/inviting! And Pastor Sean is a fabulous preacher. If you sign up for it,…read morehe will send you every day, a devotional message with a Bible verse that he will record and read to you.

Best kept secret in Angels Camp. Right behind the Bret Harte High school…read more Pastor Shawn was at Calvary Chapel in Sonora. The Lord told him to go to Angels. He did and found a church with no congregation and he had the congregation. A perfect match and God has been working 15 years now at Refuge. Small church, low key, no frills and no politics just God. They also have nice preschool program. Excellent sermons and music is contemporary. Fabulous guest speakers and musical guests. Once a year he has a fundraiser, Refuge Run. Folks from all over come with their motorcycles for a inspiration weekend in June. Pastor Shawn is approachable and very intelligent. His sermons are positive. Shawn's Interpretation of the bible is spot on and doesn't pick or choose certain phases to please his congregation. He tells it like it is and God's expectations from his people.