St. Spyridon is such a beautiful church, and Oxford Terrace is the perfect strip for its location…read more Covered with sheltering trees and beautiful lime green patterns with flowers, this church really is picturesque. For those interested in a religious sense, the church itself is of Greek Orthodox faith and named after the Patron Saint of potters and miracles. Father John is the main priest in this scared premises and he does a good job of holding services in both Greek and English languages. This is also the church I am most likely to attend come a rare Sunday or during Easter, like many other Greeks. My brother got married here (to a non Greek if that helps anyone- Greek churches can be a little funny like that) and there was no need for his wife to become of Greek Orthodox faith etc. It was of hardly any fuss, and their daughter was later baptized here and tear free through the entire ceremony- rare for a Greek baby not to cry during the "dunking"! The church itself is gorgeous and true to common Greek church architecture. There are arched tops and chanting bells visible from the outside, and then the inside is home to many religious icons, two levels of wooden seating, huge chandeliers and candles galore. Additionally St. Spyridon has a small primary school and preschool attached to it. For those interested in the educational aspect, my sister takes her two boys to ST Spyridon play-group, which she thinks is fantastic. Her and her husband are now seriously contemplating sending their sons to the primary school when they turn five. She has looked into a few schools, and so far is most impressed by St Spyridon. My brother in law also was also awed by the fact that St Spyridon kids have an undefeated soccer team. Typical.

I'm not much of "good christian soldier" and I don't visit churches with frequency (they freak me…read moreout a bit), but I visited the Portlife church recently to check out the annual Port Adelaide Rotary Art Show in which a few people I knew had entered. The venue was large and spacious and numerous works were on show, although nothing evidently mind blowing. Much of the work was pithy photographic landscapes which I tend to detest, although there were a few works showing skill and insight, especially in the still life department. I noted that the rules of entry banned depiction the nude figure, and not one picture showed more than an inch of flesh. I found this quite amusing, being of the opinion that if indeed the lord created our bodies he could hardly expect us to find them abhorrent. I was quite fond of a pastel work by one Michael Hocking, depicting a dock scene from somewhere nearby. This work was the winner of the Port/Maratime prize.

Sanctuary Surfers is a Christian mission - that means it is a small enterprise organised and run by…read morea dedicated team of Baptist Christians who are looking to bring the word of the Christian God into the lives of those who will accept it. Call Pastor Neil for more information 0403 134 478 Sanctuary Christian Ministries do this mainly by encouraging visiting backpackers to come along on what they call Surfing Safari's, a day trip where they go out and teach them how to surf at one of the surf beaches along the coast not so far from the city. They have a minibus at their disposal, and quite a lot going on. Now before you start freaking out about this, it is a pretty common practise around Europe and the United Kingdom and the United States, so some Christians who are travelling would be seeking to become involved here, just as the SCM is seeking their involvement. Out back of the shop is a meeting room where they debrief after their trips and display the digital photographs of their visitors having a go at surfing, and they can blog to their families back home in the case of back packers, because there are several computers in the room making it easy for them to upload the digital photographs taken of them surfing. I'm sure it is a very well meant and compassionate organisation, attempting top bring some hope and faith into the lives of people who are a long way from home and probably respond well to the universal Christian values. It is certainly better work being done here than that done by the hateful preachers who have frequented Rundle Mall for several months and disrupted the ability to peacefully shop. The Sanctuary Shop also sells t-shirts with a Christian message or slogan on them - and they print them out the back as well so it's quite a complicated enterprise. I didn't ask if they have Bible study groups and prayer groups, but it is a very fair bet that they do. In the church this kind of activity is called a 'beach mission' and it is an evangelical activity for those wishing to spread the word of the Lord through good deeds. I'm not involved with it myself and am unlikely to become involved in this particular activity, but I don't find it offensive at all, so if you share these values and are back packing around Australia, and happen to find yourself here in Adelaide, they are welcoming and extend an open hand towards you.

St Mary's Church in Stanley Street North Adelaide is the third oldest surviving Catholic church…read morebuilding in the city of Adelaide. It was originally built as both a school and a church in the 1870's by the Sisters of St Joseph which was Mary Mackillop's order. Refurbished both inside and out in 2000 - 2001 today St Mary's is a very popular wedding venue. What many people love about this little church is that it does have that old fashioned school house look about it while being lovingly renovated to both retain its old fashioned charm and keep up with the times. In the late 1800's, what is now a very ritzy part of North Adelaide was then known as Irishtown where a large population or Irish Catholics lived. Many were poor and this was the local school for many Irish Australian children. By 1890 school enrolments for St Mary's were 167 which is a lot given the size of this quaint little building. St Mary's continued to operate as a school right up until 1973. When it was restored at the turn of this most recent century, much of the interior was upgraded. Interestingly though the interior had been restored in the 1960's and then again following the Second Vatican Council when things like moving the altar closer to the congregation were done. This is a beautiful little church and if you're into Adelaide history, you should pay a visit.

This charming old church is a favourite for weddings being on the popular strip of Melbourne Street…read morewhere many a trendy fellow and lassie met at a night club over a few drinks. It is an old heritage listed church because of it's age and historical significance in the area. There is a school attached at the rear which no longer acts as a school, but is also part of the original (now) heritage site. It is very popular for weddings, but it does have a real life as an actual church in the area as well. David McCall is the priest and they have a Sunday service each week with a sung Eucharist, which is rather special and enjoyable if you enjoy that sort of thing.

Services here are sometimes in German, so if you'd like to attend and watch as if you are not being…read morepreached at, try a German service. They have regular Sunday services at 9am and 11am and then again in the evening at 7pm. I am not so much into the church for the worship - I love the building, and the history of the building. After all, Adelaide is the "City of Churches" and this one is 170 years old. It is quite large. The church is big enough, the church office is another thing entirely. It requires a Yelp of its own really.

I've always heard strange things about this church, with their passionate attendees, wild parties,…read moredevoted pastors and religious leaders and unique beliefs. I honestly don't follow too much religion, I am Catholic but I don't go to church or have anything to do with religion, nor a specific opinion really. My partner went along to an event with a friend once, and he said it was definately an experience.. Have you seen the movie Saved? I picture it being somewhat like that. Their advertisements and marketing seem to be very loud, over the top, extreme, devout and meaningful. They include songs, games, videos, concerts and other festivities into their service, which run daily in the morning and some nights. There are also services in the city and up north. Go along and see for yourself if religion is your thing, I'm sure it would be a memorable experience, whether you enjoy it or not.

Paradise Community Church seems to be one of those places that either does it for you, or it's the…read moreantithesis of what you're looking for in a church. For me, as a regular churchgoer, Paradise isn't what I'm after - I'm quite comfortable with a good, lively youth service at a 'regular' church, but Paradises 'performances' are one step further than I'm willing to go with my worship. That said, Paradise certainly reaches a lot of people each week - if you're looking for an in your face, over the top 'religious' experience, here's somewhere you can get it - personally I'll stay somewhere I'm one of the congregation, not one of the crowd. They do put on a great Christmas spectacular - lights, music, and a funfair of sorts - oh, yes, and a 'live' nativity scene - all topped off with a fireworks display at the end of the evening - worth a visit if nothing else.

non non-denominational church, where the congregation get together to share their love of God…read more Started initially at Kent Town Uniting Church in mid 1970's, then moved to Waymount St in the city and then now their present site.