This review comes as part of my year-long adventure exploring different churches…read more I never thought I would put the words "church" and "fun" in the same sentence. Until this evening, when I ran in the house and told Joe (that's my boyfriend) "Oh my god! That church was so fun!" Because the church service that I went to tonight was pretty much the best possible experience I could have imagined having. House of Mercy is a church within a church. They rent space from a Lutheran Church, and they hold their services at 5:00pm on Sunday evenings. I found them while searching for church options on Google. I was captivated by their awesomely-designed website, which spoke of Flannery O'Connor, Thai food and Johnny Cash. All things I like. Figured I would check it out. So I drove my little car over to St. Paul, and got myself a seat in the cute church, which smelled heavenly (ha.) There was a fiddle, guitar and drums playing old school gospel music. The crowd very interesting, not very racially diverse, but a wide variety of ages and styles. I felt very comfortable. I would give the sermon an A+. I actually learned something about Jesus and the Gospel of Luke and I could even explain it to someone now. And the pastor was funny and said that Jesus "pissed off" a lot of people, which made me giggle. Music= 5/5 (Their hymnal is dedicated to Johnny and June Carter Cash!) Sermon=5/5 Environment=4/5 (No one said hello, but people were the standard Minnesota Nice.) P.S. They have a parade and sing a song as the "youngsters" leave for the nursery. Awesome.

We came back to St. James this past Sunday and they had the nursery upstairs where the service is…read moretaking place as a trial run to see how the kiddos do. Since we are the only ones with kids under 5, they were running all over the place and I felt a little irritated during service even though it's ok for them to run around. But it was still very disruptive for all the people and since the congregation is not that big to begin with, we still stick out like a sore thumb. Hopefully, the kids can go back down to separate nursery where they are not together with the adults for service. We felt like we could finally call St. James our worship home but not after this past Sunday where we can't participate in the service or listen with an active ear, it makes hard to focus with our kids running back and forth to us.

St James is a very welcoming community for our young family. the "prayground" has been a great way…read morefor our kids to feel like they are part of the whole Sunday morning experience without needing to keep them silent in the pew next to us. Recommend for all young families who are church "shopping."

Inspiring sermons, upbeat and interesting music, warm and friendly congregation. The pews are…read morecomfortable and the imagery of the stained glass windows are Biblical stories. This is a great church for the young adults and those who are young at heart. The congregation supports a variety of missions including a food self at the church, and a community garden. If you are looking to join a choir, or share your musical talent come to Gethsemane!

Visited here on a Sunday morning in May, while on travel in Minneapolis. I am on the Bishop's…read morestaff in a diocese on the East Coast. I found the people here to be very friendly and welcoming. Traditional Rite 2 Mass, I felt right at home!

Fabric has been a meaningful community for our family for years. The kids' programming is top…read morenotch, the messages and live music are meaningful, spiritual, intentionally open-minded, yet often also challenging. Fabric is "contemporary", but it isn't meant to mirror a mega-church experience, it's about engaging in multi-week conversations with connections in the community. I'm sometimes surprised the attendance at Field School on Sunday morning doesn't approach a thousand, because it's exactly the right type of spiritual community for this century. Joining a Fabric group is encouraged but isn't mandated. Groups meet every week or whenever you can make it. Most people choose to become part of one, because it's a way to continue to engage on deeper issues together over a cup of tea or glass of beer. Groups can help us engage with each other's lives at a deeper level but also allow focus to reflect together on the current Fabric conversation. Some have critiqued Fabric, labeling it as surface level, due to a departure from traditional church doctrine and related sermons. I'd argue on the contrary, that it's far from shallow, and rather the opposite. If it is important to you to have someone tell you what you believe about God or Jesus or Creation or Heaven, down to your last thought, then Fabric isn't for you. But, most of us aren't like that. Life isn't like that. Life is about pursuing hopes and dreams, refining our values, developing family and friend relationships, and asking curious questions, which certainly involves asking questions about God and what they means for us. As such, Fabric is simply about living that life in community. Fabric isn't a Church, but Fabric IS church -- For the Rest of Us. Fabric's invitation could well be: Come for the music, stay for the conversation. All are welcome here, EVEN those who identify as Christians, and many of us do. Your faith is important to us. But that goes for everyone who gathers with us. Every person who shows up is important to us, and we are excited to meet you. We want to hear what you are excited about, and we want you in the conversation too!

Fabric Minneapolis is a church community that's made up of people with a wide range of beliefs and…read moreexperiences with church. Some folks have very traditional church backgrounds, some have been deeply harmed by the church, some are neutral about church. We have couples where one has had very positive church experiences and the other is an atheist. What we have in common is a commitment to wrestling together with the big questions of God and the messiness of life. I've been part of the Fabric community for 13 years. Before moving to Minneapolis, I attended a church in Cleveland, OH whose pastor I loved and who walked through important life events with me (e.g. he officiated our wedding, baptised our son). However, with Fabric I've really grown in my understanding of and beliefs about God, Jesus, and the Bible, AND also about being human, parenting, relationships, community. Largely this is because of the conversations that happen not only on Sundays but also with smaller groups during the week. I am connected with so many caring, authentic, curious, good people because of Fabric.

This review is for Lenten fish fry. FISH - 5 The fish is…read morefantastic. Its a Haddock with a PBR batter, but it wasn't a light fluffy batter, it was more like a breading, which I prefer. Either way it was not greasy, the pieces were large, and it was fresh and flaky. Dee-lish. SIDES - 5 Au gratin potatoes, mac n' cheese, slaw, roll, cookie. The slaw was very light on the mayo, which I prefer. All the sides were good. BEER/WINE - 5 They had it! Summit or Miller Light; box wine or a choice of 4 bottles, two white, two red. COST - 5 $10 or $35 max per family. ATMOSPHERE - 5 There was a long line, but it moved fast and there were plenty of places to sit. Lots of kids were running around, but it wasn't too noisy. I think the best part is the fish fry is put on by the OLP men's club. Its a fantastic scene seeing all these men in charge. I'm sure they decided on the two starches for sides and the beer and wine list. God bless the OLP men's club!

Wonderful catholic community/church, Everyone is welcoming and there are many fun events throughout…read morethe year like'' the block party'' or the fish fry that are offered to the community.

It's probably not fair to review ANY church during the middle of summer -- so think of this as some…read moregeneral observations and tips. I decided to visit First Lutheran because it's hosts Urban Roots, a program to teach kids about growing food and living healthy. I noticed the church during a Urban Roots pickup and vowed to visit on Sunday. Glad I did. It offers a huge, well maintained sanctuary and a friendly parish. There were more than 50 attending, many of whom were 60+ in age. I found the contrast interesting between the traditional environment, parish and pipe organ along with contemporary versions of the bible and ecumenical creeds. When you attend for the first time, don't be scared by the volume of people who will approach you for a greeting and handshake during 'passing of the peace.' Lutherans aren't always good at evangelism --- but we can sure recognize and welcome a new face when they visit our home church.

I have attended services at First Lutheran since 2000; I joined three years later. We have many…read moremusical opportunities, including The Bells of Celebration (always looking for more 'ringers'), The Holy Lightning Choir (always looking for singers--men would be especially welcome, but women, too, since all our ranks are growing a bit thin), and The All-Star Pew Band, which monthly lends a folk/bluegrass/gospel sound to our services (we have 2 on mandolin, 3 or more on guitar, 3 on vocals--soprano, alto and baritone, 1 banjo, 1 drummer, 1 fiddler, and will always welcome more players/singers). Our pastor's sermons are warm and on point every week, we celebrate communion every Sunday. Christmas Eve and Easter services are totally awe-filling, with strings, woodwinds, brass and timpani adding excitement to our outstanding music! Come see what we're offering on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. You will be welcomed warmly!

Best Greek Fest North of Saint Louis, Missouri's Central West End. The food is great. Last year…read morethey rented their space to Vail Communities for the "CarniVail". Thank you for your Christianity and outreach. Thomas Normile

St Mary's is an absolutely beautiful church located in Uptown right along Bde Maka Ska…read more I have been here a couple of times now as this used to be my voting station, and also is the host of the Minneapolis Greek Festival. The interior of the church is gorgeous with art everywhere, but the highlight is really the outdoor space. They have an insanely beautiful patio with views of the lake and perfectly trimmed greenery. I have never attended for a religious reason, so I absolutely have no authority to comment on that aspect of the church. However, the Greek festival hosted here is beyond impressive. The crowd here is massive, but they open up the whole church to be home to tours, wines, food, drinks, desserts, and little shops. I tried so many different foods and drinks and they were all amazing. I even bought some jewelry as a gift for my partner. I highly recommend everyone come here and check out this beautiful venue and certainly attend the festival next summer.

Hardworking parishioners make these heavenly pyrohi once you try you'll be hooked. Pick up only…read moreduring covid cash & checks only. Best pyrohi in Mn!

This review isn't for the church per se, but for their Pyrohy (Pierogi) sale on Fridays. I heard…read moreabout in the NE buzz newsletter (if you don't get this and live in NE - you should subscribe). How it works - you call ahead and place on order for pierogi. Two options, kraut or potato. While both are phenomenal if you can only get one, get the potato. You order them by the dozen go to the church and pick them up. Then you devour them! If you thought you were going to get some for lunch and dinner, you were wrong, pick up an extra dozen, you will thank me later! There is also an option to eat in for lunch if it works for you. So do yourself a favor, take off early on a Friday and pick up some pierogies to go!!