map – A Travel Lifestyle Magazine has put together this special America 250 map and guide. Use it to create and enjoy your own custom travel to one or more communities in America where the Christian faith has a rich heritage and vibrant present day influence.
This map will help you find the ‘first church’* in each of America’s 13 colonies and explore the rich and often complex history of how Christ was central to the formation of life in this nation. Then make your trip more robust and engaging as you fellowship and serve with today’s Christian communities in each state.
Use our First Church Of America map on Google Maps to explore our curated list of all 13 ‘first churches’ plus our magazine’s cover church.
Travel and explore America’s religious heritage. A map to discover the ‘first church’* in each of America’s 13 colonies and fellowship and serve with today’s Christian communities in each state.
In 2026 the United States of America celebrates 250 years as a nation. What this country looks like now and what it looked like then (in 1776 and even earlier) are very different – not just physically but also socially and spiritually. map– A Travel Lifestyle Magazine invites you to start here to learn about some of the first churches of America. We encourage you to take your time reading this feature. Then use the links in it to explore more deeply and thoroughly America’s religious heritage. Most of these church websites have a history page.
What we think you’ll find is that Jesus Christ has always been right smack dab in the center of American worship, culture, values and daily life. But what we also think you’ll find is that; how you worship, influence culture, embrace values and live out faith in your daily life are very different from those not just 250 years ago but even those of recent generations.
That is where your trip into the Christian faith in American gets exciting. How these first churches started and what they’ve evolved into today aren’t just dramatic, they’re likely different from what you thought they were and their present-day members certainly worship different from how you worship today.
What we hope you’ll do is literally plan a trip to visit one or more of these first churches. Do your travel research and consider worshiping with them. Yes, that will probably push you beyond the edges of what you find familiar and comfortable. But, as you walk through their doors we think God can open doors for you to grow in your faith in ways you never could have imagined.
Attending a service at one of these old churches and fellowshipping with people there are just two ways to have a great Christ-centered trip. Each of the cities in these 13 states – the 13 original colonies in America, are vibrant communities. We encourage you to experience life to the fullest in them. Prior to going to any of these cities do your research and look for Christian fellowship and service opportunities which may include Christian owned or themed:
- coffee shops and restaurants
- bookstores and other businesses
- entertainment, theaters, concerts
- service facilities like gyms, recreation and more
- community gardens
- camp locations
Find ideas for where you can eat, converse, engage, learn and even serve. What we don’t list are additional churches you can visit. That’s because there are so many. Do you homework in advance and find 1 or more where you can at least attend a church service but perhaps do even more.
Do it all prayerfully so that God’s Spirit can be your very personal tour guide. That means you go home with much more than fond memories, great photos, refreshment and renewed vigor. You gain a better understanding of your faith, a stronger vision for your purpose and future AND you could even make a few new friends – the kind with whom you keep in touch and invite to fellowship with you again.
So what are you waiting for, let’s go where God is. Map your way to the first church of America.
*WHAT IS THE ‘FIRST CHURCH’?
Unlike God (definitely the first and last) the churches listed here are our attempt at identifying the earliest churches in America. Several of these ‘first church’ locations have active congregations today and worship weekly. So, consider attending one of their scheduled services and worship God among them.
But even the best historians can’t be completely certain who was first, when they first met and where their first service was held. And – when it comes to the actual church buildings it’s even more likely that THE original may no longer exist. This list however does give you a map to some truly historic church destinations. Go visit them and in our opinion you’ll give yourself the opportunity to start exploring much further and find other firsts.
(NOTE: The photos below of the churches are from their websites or social media.)
NEW ENGLAND COLONIES
The First Church Of New Hampshire
The first church in the colony of New Hampshire was established in 1638 by Rev. John Wheelwright. It was a Congregational church. Though he was a Puritan, like the leaders in Massachusetts, he was accused of relying too much upon the grace of God in his theology. Rather than return home to England, he and his followers ventured into what is now New Hampshire.
The current building, known as the Congregational Church in Exeter, was built in 1798 and is part of the United Church of Christ.
The First Church Of Massachusetts
The first church in the Massachusetts Bay Colony was the First Church in Boston, founded in 1630 by John Winthrop and his followers. Originally a Congregationalist church, it later became a Unitarian Universalist congregation.
When John Winthrop and his party stepped off the Arbella, their first official act, even before drawing up a charter for the city, was to create by themselves, and sign, a Covenant for the First Church in Boston. In this document we find these words: “[Wee] solemnly, and religiously…Promise, and bind ourselves, to walke in all our ways…in mutuall love, and respect each to other…”
The First Church Of Rhode Island
The first church in the Colony of Rhode Island was the First Congregational Society, established in 1723. It later became known as the First Unitarian Church of Providence, reflecting its Unitarian theology.
Like many of the links for churches in this article, once you go to a church website you can find a page that provides details about that specific church’s history. Check out the history page for the First Unitarian Church of Providence.
The First Church Of Connecticut
The first church in the Connecticut Colony was the First Church of Christ, founded in 1635 in Wethersfield. It is part of the Old Wethersfield Historic District and has some significant history as a meetinghouse built in 1761.
You’ll want to explore their Instagram to not only see more pictures of the church but also to learn about what they have done recently and how they are serving in their community today.
MIDDLE COLONIES
The First Church Of New York
Deep among the high rise buildings of New York City is one of America’s first churches. The first church in the colony of New York was established by a group of Anglicans in 1697, known as Trinity Church. It was granted a charter by King William III and has been a significant site in the city’s history ever since.
This church’s history page is organized into 3 sections: The Places, The People and Historic Highlights. Go here to better understand America’s Christian heritage. Then, if you’ve planned your trip well, you can join with Christians throughout the city who are living out their faith in Christ in ways that are as diverse as the city itself.
The First Church Of New Jersey
The first church in the colony of New Jersey was the Old Bergen Church, established in 1660 in what was then the Dutch colony of New Netherland. It is recognized as the oldest continuous religious congregation in New Jersey.
This church’s history began as the First Dutch Reformed Church for this Dutch settlement. Today they do a variety of outreach including support of and participation in Family Promise of Hudson County.
The First Church Of Pennsylvania
The first church in the colony of Pennsylvania is Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church, built between 1698 and 1700 by Swedish settlers. It is the oldest church in Pennsylvania and has been in continuous use for over 320 years.
They have a rich history of being the oldest building, oldest church and oldest congregation. It’s old! It was used as both a hospital and stable during the Revolutionary War. Watch their video to see and learn more.
The First Church Of Delaware
The first church in the colony of Delaware was Old Swedes Church (not to be confused with Old Swedes’ in Pensylvania), also now known as Holy Trinity Church (the present day congregation). They have both the present building and the original church. It was built between 1698 and 1699 to serve the Swedish community.
It is in Wilmington, Deleware. It remains one of the oldest structures in Delaware and is a significant historical landmark. It is operated and maintained by the National Park Service and also by the Old Sweeds Historic Site Foundation.
SOUTHERN COLONIES
The First Church Of Maryland
The first church in the colony of Maryland was a wooden chapel built in 1641, known as St. Ignatius Church, located in St. Mary’s City.
It was dismantled and bricks from it were taken down river where the current National Register of Historic Places building sits waiting for you to visit. It was established by Jesuit missionaries and is considered one of the oldest Catholic parishes in continuous service in the United States. The present day St. Ignatius Church congregation worships in Hickory, Maryland.
The first church in the colony of Maryland was a wooden chapel built in 1641, known as St. Ignatius Church, located in St. Mary’s City. It was dismantled and bricks from it were taken down river where the current National Register of Historic Places building sits waiting for you to visit. It was established by Jesuit missionaries and is considered one of the oldest Catholic parishes in continuous service in the United States. The present day St. Ignatius Church congregation worships in Hickory, Maryland.
The First Church Of Virginia
The first church in the Colony of Virginia was an Anglican church built in Jamestowne in 1608, following initial outdoor services held in 1607. To the best knowledge of researchers and historians this is likely the FIRST CHURCH IN AMERICA.
Jamestowne was founded on May 14, 1607, as the first permanent English settlement in North America. The church there was constructed after the colonists had been using a makeshift covering for worship since their arrival. Historic Jamestowne is managed by the National Park Service. The archaeological site at Jamestowne is managed by the Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation, which is affiliated with Preservation Virginia.
As is the case for many “first” church buildings in America, the original building built in 1608 no longer exists. However, Jamestowne is the site for it. However, the church tower built in 1680 is, “the last surviving above-ground structure from the days when Jamestowne was the capital of Virginia.” Below is a video about restoration and preservation of this tower at Historic Jamestowne.
Our Cover Church – Abingdon Episcopal Church
A short distance from Jamestowne is another historic church in nearby Gloucester County. We chose Abingdon Episcopal Church, circa 1650, to be the church featured on the special America 250 issue of map – A Travel Lifestyle Magazine.
We chose this church for a variety of reasons. It has a very active and growing congregation. The building is well preserved and the grounds are beautifully maintained. They not only have a history page, they also offer guided tours so you can dig deeper into their history. It is near to our Lifestyle Media Group office, so on more than one occasion we have visited and worshiped at the church – You should too!
The First Church Of North Carolina
As is often the case with history, “firsts” are not always clear or certain. King Charles II granted a charter in 1663 for land in America to eight of his supporters, establishing the province of Carolina (at the time both North Carolina and South Carolina).
A Quaker Church was established in 1677, in Symon’s Creek. Now only an historic marker stands near the site in the area of Weeksville, NC. The Symon’s Creek church may very well be the first church of North Carolina. The Quaker influence is still strong. Piney Woods Friends Meeting is a Quaker Church near the Symon’s Creek site that meets weekly and has a vibrant community. Learn more about their history and fellowship with them. The FWCC website lists Quaker (Friends) meetings in other locations.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Edenton, NC identifies itself as North Carolina’s oldest continuous church.
Their Our Story page has a timeline that traces back to the 1600’s.
The oldest surviving church building in the colony of North Carolina and likely one of the first churches in the colony was St. Thomas Episcopal Church, established in 1734 in Bath, NC.
With less than 2 hours of total drive time between the 3 cities, we suggest that map to all 3 and enjoy exploring Eastern North Carolina’s natural coastal landscape and the area’s rich history.
The First Church Of South Carolina
The next time you see a “DONT TREAD ON ME” flag, license plate, t-shirt or sticker think about how it’s creator worshiped at one of the first churches in America. Continental Colonel Christopher Gadsden worshiped at St. Philip’s Church.
It was the first church building in the colony of South Carolina, built in Charleston around 1681. It served the Anglican community and was the first house of worship established in the area.
The First Church Of Georgia
The first church building in the Colony of Georgia was Christ Church in Savanah. It was dedicated on July 7, 1750.
It was established as part of the mission of the Church of England and is often referred to as “the Mother Church of Georgia.”
Savanah is a charming coastal city with all kinds of history to discover and all kinds of modern day Christian fellowship to experience.
PLAN IT, GO, AND THEN SHARE
Explore America’s rich Christian faith heritage by going to 1 or more of the first churches in America. Use this feature story in map – A Travel Lifestyle Magazine along with the map we created above to plan your very own custom travel plans in recognition of America 250.
Remember that when you visit the congregations at any of these churches it will likely be very different from what you might expect. AND, if you have a home church where you fellowship that is familiar to you, then you may very well see some dramatic differences. We think you can handle it. In fact as you travel to discover how God is at work in America you can grow even stronger in your faith and ability to put and keep Christ right smack dab in the center of your life.
Travel to the first church of America will let you see some amazing history and also catch a vision of how God can be very present in the future of America.
Use the COMMENT section below to share about your travels to these churches and communities.
