My family has been coming to City Church since 2013 when we moved to Madison…read more At first it was a little overwhelming, since it was such a big church, however, we found the little church feel within. City church is a come as you are church, there is no pressure to be anything more than you are. Greeted at the doors by friendly people who can answer questions and help, as well as coffee and the occasional snack bar set up before church. There are three Sunday services 8:30 am, 11:00, and 6:00 PM all have there own special flare! If you wanted to check the church out before walking in, feel free to Google City Church for the live Sunday morning sermon. Pastor Tom is amazing, as are so many of our pastoral staff! There is an amazing women's ministry and men's worship. I am adding photos for this week, as we have our missionaries in town. Even more activities and plenty for all ages!

I don't know what the other review is talking about in it being a bad church. I know about the…read morescandal with the hand picked pastor, and know them personally. The family recovered. Christianity is not for perfect people. That said, this church is one of the most loving, and compassionate places ever. I'm 37 now, but joined when I was 7. That church body, and the pastors it has had through the years saw me through many rough spots in my life. And my son is going to go to the school That school has an accelerated program, and sends their students to colleges all across the country, including Ivy league, and MIT. I really don't know where this other person gets their info from. I never heard of them trying to become a super church. They have a couple thousand members. But many of those members are loyal, and even when they leave have fond memories. Bad things happen, but Pastor Tom Flaherty who is the pastor there now has been with it off and on for years. And he has steadied the church like an old sea captain in rough seas. If your spirit is dry, and needs to be quenched, City Church, formerly MGT/Lake City, is the place for you!

Very vibrant and welcoming parish. I was visiting from out of state and felt at home. Very nice…read moremass. Dynamic celebrant. Exceptional singers. Beautiful church and grounds.

Don't let the Majestic Theater turn you away because you'll miss a hidden gem. I'm old school…read moreSouthern Baptist and I appreciate any concerns about, "well there was partying going on here last night" and etc. etc. Trust me my friends have said it and I thought it. I got over my issues and sat through a service - now I want to volunteer. It helps save on gas by not trekking to the far westside on Sundays. Additionally, the messages on streamed BUT if you're like me and looking for live interaction....they have that too! The band is live. Yes a church band with drummers, guitars, several songtress/singers, lately a good mix of strings and woods have been playing along. Downstairs seating. Upstairs have benches with little tables to hold your coffee or Ipad. Restrooms on both floors. Upstairs for nursing moms. 1st row upstairs is for families with kids, you know in case you have to make a quick run. Greeters at the door and every turn without encroaching on your space. In my humble opinion, it's a good place that teaches without preaching. If you get it - great. If not, come by and see. FYI: although there's no pick up and drop off for this location; the main campus does have 4 service times and shuttles. Bibles are available if you don't' have yours or missing one. Programs update you as to what's going on and communication can be made with the church staff thru message cards that can be left in the donation/message box. Oh! no collection plate passing. Give online or privately when and what you want. Service lasts about 50minutes with singing and the message. I believe Paul is the downtown Minister and he speaks to give a preface before the streaming of the lesson from the Brader Way location and a benediction to wrap things up. I love the addition of, "What's happening at BlackHawk" as it allows you to receive an oral update while learning new members, each week there are two new people giving the update. If you have kids and don't want to sit through a service with them - I can attest that the Brader Way location has great classes for kids Pre-school through 5th grade. They learn in a fun and interactive way so the kids retain a lot.

The church has a nice space to worship, and nice music. The preaching was, I thought, maybe geared…read moremore toward college age and newer Christians? There was a mentally challenged gentleman walking about during worship and the staff handled him beautifully, listening to his needs and speaking to him with such kindness and grace. I was very impressed with that. The only thing I would say to the church community as a new person walking in is that we were never spoken to. It wasn't a full room...and yet no one introduced themselves to us or welcomed us. When the pastor asked everyone to turn and greet each other no one came over to us to shake our hand. We just stood there feeling awkward. I noticed people really didn't even move from their seat. They just turned to the people they knew sitting around them and chatted with them. There were 2 other new college age girls sitting separately behind us that were feeling a little awkward as well and both just went to the bathroom until the "turn to your neighbor part" was over. I'm a seasoned churchgoer and really want to say-the church has to do better in this area. I'm sure the people there were all very nice, but no one around us made any attempt to come over and say hello. It's just not a good feeling when visiting a church. Especially for a young college student going on their own for the first time.

As part of my Frank Lloyd Wright Wisconsin trail trip I was lucky enough to take the tour at the…read moreUnitarian Meeting House; I managed to fit both the Monona Terrace tour and the Unitarian Meeting House tour on the same day; they are about 15 minutes drive apart. The Meeting House is located near to the University of Wisconsin campus, the good news is that the Meeting House has its own parking lot. We had a nice group of people for the tour and our guide was excellent, knowledgeable, friendly and a member of the congregation. The tour starts with books of photos of the history of the building and the congregation. We got a very nice history of the congregation, the building and how Wright was involved. The tour included most of the building, with certain rooms skipped since they were otherwise occupied. The main building was designed and supervised by Frank Llyod Wright with a newer cathedral, which was designed and built when the congregation outgrew the original building. High point of the tour is the original cathedral, it is fairly compact, but has a unique feel due to the soaring ceiling and glass V shaped framework that brings the outside in. The pulpit combines natural stones with the windows to create a great atmosphere. Interestingly Wright designed the seating so that some of the congregation are looking at other congregants. The low seating also allows views out the back windows of the cathedral. Another unique feature is the hearth at the back of the room. The other Wright designed areas all have that wonderful combination of warmth and practicality. The furniture designed by Wright add to the feeling. The spaces are all unique in that Wright really broke away from the idea that a building is a series of boxes such as the Wright designed Unity Temple in Oak Park, here you can feel the move to a more organic design. When the congregation outgrew the main building they found a way to add a new bigger addition that is unique, but still incorporates many of Wrights influence. The newer addition is behind the older building and built into the ground so that it does not overwhelm the Wright design. The outside of the Meeting House is amazing as well, the building seems to rise out of the natural setting ad mostly hugs the ground with the low roof overhangs. Around the front of the building you have the large V shaped roof and windows which projects an idea of what is inside. It is amazing to see the Wright design from the 1930s and how it has had such a major influence on many modern churches. The Unitarian Meeting House tour was excellent, well worth your time and should be a must visit for any Frank Lloyd Wright fan.

I am visiting from Los Angeles and went for the architecture but stayed for the fellowship. Lovely…read morepeople in a beautiful setting.

This is partially, my experience, and a response to the other review. My experience with Grace is a…read morestark contrast it seems. I found GBC a few years ago. I was looking for a solid-Bible believing church home. I didn't want to attend an impersonal cold place, and I have never found Grace to be anything but friendly. I wanted to go to a place that told the truth- not fluffy meaningless messages. I wanted to grow in Christ, to be taught. I wanted to participate in a church that did community outreach and helps people. Grace has all of that- and more. I had negative church experiences in the past, and was skeptical at first, but I went anyway. Immediately, I was accepted. I never stopped going. I want to mention too that I was accepted regardless of how I look- I have obvious tattoos, lots of holes from piercings, and my clothes aren't necessarily 'churchy' (though I do try to be respectful of the church- God's house, and dress respectfully.) Never has anyone made a snide remark, or asked me to change my clothes, as opposed to some churches who do not allow women to wear pants for example. We have no such rule. I have never seen that happen. But if I wore a hat during prayer they may ask me to remove it out of respect for God etc., that's simply a respect issue, not a dress code violation. That's the only instance I could possibly see. Anyway, I have never found a church like Grace, it is Christlike with a family atmosphere. I love my church family. I could write a book but don't take just my word for it, look up Grace Baptist Church in Madison on Facebook and ask any 'friends' on there, I think that would be the best way to get honest feedback from the people who attend. In re: to the other review: When were you at Grace? Your account is very odd to me because I have been going to GBC consistently for a couple of years and I do not remember this happening. I see people wearing jeans and t-shirts at every service at church, so I don't understand why anybody would be singled out for a hat- unless it was because of prayer and that would be like I said above, just a respect issue to God not a personal issue. I'm sorry that happened to you but I don't understand. I've always felt GBC was warm and friendly, accepting people. We pick up homeless people for our RU program every week, so I don't think dress code is one of the chief concerns at GBC, at least I never got that impression. I've never witnessed anything like that in the years I have been going. Our number one concern (in fact our theme this year) is other people. Essentially to be the people Christ wants us to be, and spread the gospel. Pastor Howell probably was acknowledging you as an individual visitor when he mentioned you in the hat it wasn't a personal dig. We get visitors every service so he was welcoming you to the congregation. It wasn't meant to single you out, it's his way of saying 'hi.' I should clarify to any that may read this: if you were a 'member' you would have to give your personal testimony (salvation testimony) to deacons, and members would vote you in as a church member. A person just going to church is not a church member. I don't know how other churches do that, but at Grace, people are voted in, and it's a great celebration, you get more hugs and handshakes, than you ever had in your life. As for your child, this too is confusing, you said your child is 5, so he/she wouldn't be in the nursery. We don't put out coloring books for the children. I have never seen a time when the church handed out coloring books. You didn't say which service you attended, but on Sunday morning the children go to 'Jr. Church.' There's no coloring in Jr. Church, they sing songs, hear stories and play games- I have worked with Jr. Church, so I do know what goes on. The only time we ever have coloring is in children younger than 4 (nursery and toddlers.) I can't respond because I have never seen that happen. It's possible another child brought in coloring books and crayons of their own, and wouldn't let your child play with them, sorry if that's the case. I have no idea who the 'girl and her father' is so again, I can't respond to that, I haven't seen that happen. The only time we give testimonies is on Sunday night and testimony time is about giving praise to God so it lasts as long as people wish to. As for the preaching, Pastor Howell ALWAYS preaches the gospel. There is never a service that he does not talk about salvation or give an opportunity for someone to accept Christ. This is important, this is the main reason I attend Grace-Christ. I will not go to a church that does not preach salvation. I know Pastor Howell preaches the gospel. If you left early perhaps you didn't hear the entire gospel message, but that does not mean it was not given. The Grace Baptist Church website I am sure would answer any questions you have regarding Grace and if not, you can call the church. http://www.gracebaptistmadison.com/

Come on out to the best and friendliest church in the state of Wisconsin. You will not be…read moredisappointed unless you are just a church hopper. God is at work here at Grace Baptist Church in Madison, WI. We are growing in Christ. We will always say this. Come Grow with US!!!!!

This church has two Sunday services at 9am and 10:45am and have more liturgical elements than most…read moreAmerican evangelical churches but fewer than a mainline church. The service focuses on singing songs accompanied by a small band, reading passages from the Bible, and a message from one of the pastors which is about 30 minutes long and based on one of the scriptural passages. The congregation is fairly diverse in ages and generation. I don't have kids, but there are a lot of children here and the church provides childcare and nursery care if that is important.

Best church ever! Very inclusive, friendly, warm and inviting, and all kids feel welcome, unlike…read morechurches I attended as a kid that were clickish. Very good atmosphere conducive to acceptance, respect, and politeness. Kids actually want to return! Good church indeed!

Tammy and Jesse's home church was fantastic ...we happened to stop in on celebration Sunday…read more Free food, rock climbing, face painting, live music inside and outside, inflatables, friendly people, sunny day, cool temps and more made this a visit to remember. Don't worry, we'll understand on our next visit if all the goodies are not included. Sharing our faith was the best part of the visit!

Do you realize how frustrating it is for someone coming to church for the first time, to hear a…read morepaster spending the entire service preaching about money. Needing more and more to fill a 2,000,000 budget? I under stand the fact a church need to sustain it self from offerings, but come on... I've never seen anything like this! Absolutely ridiculous. If it was up to paster Mark he would charge people $10 at the door to come in.