Current Protestant who visited this church and was amazed. The artwork is absolutely beautiful. The…read morecongregation clearly loves their church and each other but strangers as well. I have never felt so welcomed as an outsider as I did when I attend this church. Absolutely plan to drive the hour one way every week to keep going. This church is special and it is hard to find a church with such wonderful qualities that instantly feels like a family.

Love the art on display at this church. Greek influences but a bit more evolved and refined because…read moreof the addition of Syrian influences. Also, some of the rite is in Arameic, which is believed to be the original language spoken by Jesus and his disciples, so that just makes the experience all the more mysterious, and in my case, enticing. I love a good mystery, or two, or three. You get a red book to follow along in the ritual. To the left you see the English translation of the rite, to the right the Syriac translation. This feels like Israel to the left and Ishmael to the right to me. Ok, the vestments used by the clergy are super cool. Very formal, specially the bishop style vestments the high priest wears, and the big fans the young men use during the mass to fan at the priest, plain old remind me of Cleopatra and her slaves fanning at her to cool her off, so yeah, Egyptian vibes here too. Fully trinitarian and fully Catholic, this church, which follows the West Syrian Rite, as opposed to the Latin Rite or the Novus Ordo, is a refreshing drink of water for those of us in the desert. The Fr. In charge right now, Fr. Don, is absolutely welcoming and popular among his flock and I just have to thank him for being patient and accommodating with me, a poor handmaid of the Lord, my God, why have you forsaken me!!! It is finished. Right? Please tell me it is done. Please God, please. Ok thanks bye.

This is a lovely church. I found the priest to be friendly, as well as the ushers and…read moreparishioners. The ground are beautiful and peaceful. There are nice places you can sit in quiet to pray and reflect. This isn't my home church; I was here for a holy day of obligation, so I'm happy to be able to say that as an outsider, the church and its people made me feel like it was my home church.

Super happy with my church. Father Charlie did a great job reaching out to our community. Because…read moreof his work alongside his staff, they grew this church in faith, love, and people! I'm so proud to be a part of this community.

The people and the pastor are welcoming. The church is beautiful. They truly respect the reverence…read moreof the service, and I like how much they respect the Word of the Lord. If you arrive late or if kids go to the bathroom right after arriving while the readings are happening,, the ushers make you wait to enter until after the Gospel so the pastor, lectors, and people don't get distracted by late arrivals. Parents with small children also have the chance--if their kids are crying--to step near the baptismal font to calm them down and still listen to what the priest is saying. I love it here!

It is always discouraging to see families with young children remaining outside the service,…read moreespecially when attendance is not particularly crowded. Churches are meant to be places where people of all ages feel welcomed and included. A dedicated nursery, children's space, and live-stream option would allow parents to care for their children while still participating in worship, this way also helps elderly, homebound, sick, and disabled members stay connected. Providing these options would make the parish more accessible and welcoming to everyone. In my own experience here, I have struggled to feel the sense of welcome, support, and belonging that I hope to find in a healthy church community. As someone who is new to Elgin, I have felt more judged than understood while navigating the challenges of everyday life. As a mother, I have often wished for greater compassion, patience, and understanding. I no longer feel comfortable asking questions here because I was previously misunderstood rather than guided. Church should be a place where people can grow in their faith while feeling encouraged, supported, and cared for. My hope is that the parish will start seeking ways to foster a more welcoming and compassionate environment for families, newcomers, and all individuals who come looking for spiritual guidance and community.

St Paul is full of color and warmth. The folks in leadership act like there's nothing they'd rather…read moredo than work at this church with these people, and they welcomed me happily, even when I was just coming to Wednesday night services (every Wednesday at 6!). Now I'm a member and I'm grateful to be here. There are quite a few ways to serve and get involved.

This church offers the very best of our Christian heritage. Friendly and active congregation…read more Excellent ministers. One of the most beautiful, liturgical Lutheran services in Texas.

Bastrop Bible Church is a body of believers focused on sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pastor…read moreOliver is a Dallas Theological Seminary trained pastor teaching God's word in its truth and simplicity. He puts a handle on his message to make it easy to carry out and apply it to life in today's world. People are loving and friendly, made a new comer feel welcomed. If you want God's Word straight up, BBC is the place to be. Check it out.

Deep community in Christ. When we first moved to Austin with small kiddos, we struggled with a lot…read moreof isolation and loneliness. We visited churches and found some big on pizzazz, some buttoned down tight, and some that were nice, but weren't going to challenge and support our growth. Then we found Hope and it felt like coming home. People warmly welcomed us into community, preached the Word straight up - living and active, and helped us step out into deeper communion with Jesus' Spirit to love and serve the lost and hurting. We have been pulled more deeply into oneness with Christ and pushed outward into sacrificing for people who need to be loved. We have had friends move cities and every time we touch base, they tell us, "you don't know what you have here. We can't find it someplace else."

I've been going to this church since college. It's a spiritually rich community of authentic…read morepeople trying to follow Jesus and love the people around them.

A nice, well-kept temple open to the public with a mix of indoor and outdoor shrines and statues…read more. I walked in on a Sunday, there was 1 caretaker inside and fairly empty. Space open for kneeling and bowing and there's a recording of chants that can be heard throughout the temple. Very calming ambiance. I only saw one other person during my time there, who came in to offer incense. Overall, a calming place to walk around, reflect, and simply be present.

They welcome all. I walked around the temple grounds admiring the beauty of the stone statues…read more Threw a dime in the wishing well and sat on a bench to contemplate. Thats when I noticed the doors were open. The shrine peeked out of the large doors. It's as if they were expecting me. I walked in to find the place empty. The grounds were empty too. I didn't expect it to be open actually. I was just driving by. As I made my way in admiring yet more divine inspired art I noticed pillows on the floor. I kneeled and bowed. With my eyes closed I prayed for peace to come into my heart. A Gong rung and echoed. I knew now I was not alone. I finished my prayer and looked up to find an older man looking at me. I stood up. We didnt exchange words yet our eyes communicated. We bowed to each other and I left with more peace than i walked in with. Thank you.

I was there yesterday with my daughter and we both got incredible right on reading. Some gentleman…read moretold me of a spirit of a man behind me in shy black shoes and he loved to tap dance and how we were so close and he loved to dance with me. That was my recently departed son Mason who had the black, shiny black shoes who always got so excited and danced when he got them on. He couldn't help but do a Michael Jackson Moonwalk and tap all around. That gave me so much delight remembering Mason in his black shiny shoes. Then this other man turned to my daughter and wanted to talk to her about expressing suppressed emotions until she wanted to scream. He was right on as she had come home earlier in the week just sobbing and sobbing. I had told her I was glad she was able to vent but maybe she needed to get in her car and scream. A few weeks earlier we attended and went to the healing service. The man held his hands over my shoulders and I felt such warmth from his hands, which lingered for days after I left. It relieved 35 years of neck and shoulder pain. Yes, this is the real deal.

We stopped in here a few weeks ago for Sunday service and it was so wonderful and welcoming…read more Definitely a smaller in person congregation, but they also zoom their services for participants who wish to stay home. I can't wait to go back.