Looking for God in Manhattan? Or are you just hoping to find religious or spiritual communities that make you feel welcome and accepted? We’ve compiled a list of our top 10 LGBTQ most welcoming religious organizations (in no particular order) to help queer New Yorkers find spirituality in Manhattan.
Middle Collegiate Church
Middle Collegiate Church, co-affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the Reformed Church in America, is an East Village, multicultural, multi-ethnic, inter-generational center of worship on 2nd Avenue between 6th & 7th Streets in Manhattan. Its diversity has been described as looking “like a New York City subway,” but “[feeling] like a home full of love.” Inter-religious and highly activist, Middle Collegiate Church is attempting to “re-frame Christianity” in the 21st Century.
112 Second Ave @ 7th St
New York, NY 10003
212-477-0666
www.middlechurch.org
Church of St Paul & St Andrew
Church of St Paul & St Andrew is a social justice centered methodist center of worship in the Upper West Side of Manhattan, with a focus on racial and gender equality, LGBTQI affirmation, and charity.
263 West 86th St
New York, NY 10024
stpaulandstandrew.org
212-362-3179
Not So Churchy
Not So Churchy (NSC) is a lesbian, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, queer, and cis-straight ally spiritual community in Manhattan. In their mission statement, NSC states, “We thrive when we are connected, but not too connected, to the traditional church.” Led by Rev. Mieke, Vandersall, NSC offers spiritual, queer New Yorkers a chance live, grow, and connect with others. Check out their calendar.
Community Church of New York
With an emphasis on Unitarian Universalist Values, The Community Church of New York is dedicated sharing a spirit of diversity, catering to those who feel out of step with conventional religious ideas. Their mission statement is, “To grow as a caring, justice-making, anti-racist, diverse, spiritual community.”
40 East 35th St
New York, NY 10016
212-683-4988
www.ccny.org
Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Congregation Beit Simchat Torah (CBST), a progressive organization located on 30th street in the Garment District of Manhattan, focuses on Judaism for gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender, queer and straight individuals and families.
130 West 30th St
New York, NY 10001
212-929-9498
cbst.org
Broadway United Church of Christ
With a deep history of progressivism, the Upper West Side’s Broadway United Church of Christ celebrates diversity, open to all races, cultures, stages of faith and conditions of life, providing a center of worship for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people who have in the past felt devalued by the church.
263 West 86 St, 3rd Fl
New York, NY 10024
212-316-5700
broadwayucc.org
Dignity New York
Dignity New York is an LGBT, Roman Catholic, nonprofit organization offering prayer groups, Bible study groups, days of recollection, weekend retreats and more.
PO Box 1554
New York, NY 10150
646-418-7039
Brooklyn – 718-565-2171
Metro NJ – 973-857-4040
New Bruns. – 732-968-9263
Nassau – 516-781-6225
Suffolk – 631-654-5367
dignityny.org
Marble Collegiate Church
Located on 5th Avenue and 29th street in Manhattan, Marble Collegiate Church accepts LGBTQ worshipers and lists their key values as Grace, Growth, Individuality, Belonging, and Giving Back, focusing on mission, outreach, and generally living in accordance with Christ’s example.
1 West 29th St
New York, NY 10001
212-686-2770
www.marblechurch.org
Metropolitan Community Church of NY
Metropolitan Community Church of NY is a place people from all walks of life can worship together. The Church was founded by Rev. Troy Perry to create a diverse spiritual home for LGBTQ people who felt unwelcome by traditional Christian Churches. Today Rev. Elder Pat Bumgardner, a vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights, is the Senior Pastor of MCCNY.
446 West 36th St
New York, NY 10018
212-629-7440
www.mccny.org
St. John’s Lutheran Church
St. John’s Lutheran Church is a Christopher Street institution, first opening its doors in 1855. Apart from being a center of worship and a safe space for LGBTQ people, St. John’s also hosts a variety of theatrical events.
Reverend Mark Erson
81 Christopher St.
New York, NY 10014
212-242-5737
www.stjohnsnyc.org
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Last modified: July 21, 2023
