10 Amazing Churches to Visit Across the United States

When you think of churches, you probably think of huge gothic cathedrals or Baroque architecture found throughout Europe. But there are amazing churches to visit across the United States that I think might surprise you.

In the United States you can find Grand Cathedrals like the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis or historical churches like the Old North Church found in Boston.

I am not religious, but I find churches to be architecturally beautiful and interesting. I’ve come across surprising churches across the United States during my travels. I wrote this post to share some of my favorite churches in the United States.

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Churches to Visit Across the United States

From Boston, Massachusetts to Santa Fe, New Mexico, below is a list of churches across the United States that I recommend visiting. These churches rival ones in Europe and are most likely not on many travelers radar.

If you’ve visited any of these churches let me know your experience, or if there are other churches that deserve to be listed, leave a comment so I can visit!

1. The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis - St. Louis, MO

My favorite church in the United States and probably one of the top churches around the world is the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis in St. Louis, Missouri.

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis is a massive and breathtaking church from the outside and the inside is just as striking.

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis has the largest mosaic collection in the world. The interior of the cathedral is covered in mosaics, over 41.5 million of them in over 7,000 different colors.

If you are visiting St. Louis make sure to pay a visit to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. It is my favorite church in the United States and might surprise you.

Travel Tip: If you want to get the most out of visiting St. Louis, I highly recommend booking a St. Louis walking tour that includes a stop at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis.

👉 Book a St. Louis tour that includes the Cathedral Basilica and other nearby St. Louis attractions here.

Other Things to do in St. Louis

Check out the St. Louis Zoo
Visit the Gateway Arch
Try BBQ and Craft Beer

2. St. Louis Cathedral - New Orleans, LA

New Orleans is one of the best cities to explore in the United States and the French Quarter is an absolute must! One of the most iconic landmarks in the French Quarter is the St. Louis Cathedral.

The cathedral you see today was completed in 1850 and is the oldest continuously active Roman Catholic cathedral in the United States.

When I visit New Orleans, I always make it a goal to visit the St. Louis Cathedral. You can get great photos of the church anywhere in Jackson Square or from Washington Artillery Park.

Travel Tip: If you want to get the most out of visiting the French Quarter, I highly recommend booking a French Quarter walking tour. It bundles a stop at Jackson Square and other famous attractions around the historic French Quarter district.

👉 Book a historical French Quarter tour that includes Jackson Square and other nearby attractions here.

Top Things to do in New Orleans

Take a Haunted Walking Tour
Tour the French Quarter, Garden District, and Cemetery
Go on a Day Trip to the Oak Alley Plantation and ride a Swamp Boat

3. Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart - Newark, NJ

Another surprising location for one of the United States most spectacular churches is Newark, New Jersey. Here you can see the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart.

This Gothic-style cathedral does rival the churches of Europe with its towering spires and stained-glass windows.

The Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart is located near the Branch Brook Park.

I had an overnight layover at Newark Liberty International Airport and had time in the morning to visit the basilica.

If you have a half day to 24 hour layover or just sightseeing around Newark, the cathedral truly is one of the United States best churches and a must visit!

Newark Attractions and Things to do

Visit Sea Life at the American Dream
Go for a Splash at DreamWorks Indoor Water Park
Traveling? Stay at a nearby Hotel

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4. St. Fidelis Basilica - Victoria, KS

When driving along I-70 in the state of Kansas, when passing near the town of Victoria you can see the two towers of St. Fidelis Basilica off in the distance.

Known as the “Cathedral of the Plains,” St. Fidelis Basilica is a must-stop attraction along I-70.

St. Fidelis Basilica was built in Victoria, Kansas in the early 1900s. It is a Romanesque-style church known for its limestone towers.

5. Loretto Chapel - Santa Fe, NM

Santa Fe, New Mexico has no shortage of beautiful and unique churches. While touring around Santa Fe, you will see the beautiful Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, San Miguel Chapel, and the historic Loretto Chapel.

The Loretto Chapel is a smaller church but known for its miraculous staircase. What makes the beautiful staircase unique is that it is built without a central pole or nails. It’s fully constructed of wood held together by wooden pegs.

6. San Antonio Missions - San Antonio, TX

There are 5 missions in San Antonio which include. The Alamo, Concepcion, San Jose, San Juan, and Espada. The most famous, being the Alamo is located in downtown San Antonio. The other missions are easily discovered along the Mission Trail.

The missions were constructed in the early 18th century by priests who settled in the San Antonio area from Spain in order to spread Christianity.

You can see all the missions in a single day. You can drive to each mission or cycle to them, which is what I chose to do. The Mission Trail is well connected and perfect for cycling.

7. Saint Catherine Chapel on the Rock - Allenpark, CO

A small beautiful church in a gorgeous setting surrounded by mountains is the Saint Catherine Chapel on the Rock located in Allenpark, Colorado.

A quick stop at this church is a must when visiting Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park.

8. Old Churches of Boston - Boston, MA

Boston is home to some of the most historic churches in the United States. Visiting the famous Old North Church is a must. It was built in 1723 and considered the oldest church in the city.

The Old North Church plays a significant role during the Revolutionary War, it is here where lanterns were lit to alert Paul Revere that the British were coming.

Make sure to walk the 2.5 mile Freedom Trail that connects the most significant sites around Boston during the American Revolution, many of them are churches and historic cemeteries.

9. Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist - Savannah, GA

Located in the heart of Savannah, Georgia, the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist is a Roman Catholic cathedral that was built and fully complete in 1896.

This church is known for its architecture, beautiful spires, and stained-glass. When visiting Savannah, enter he church to see the painted ceilings.

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10. St. Philip's Church - Charleston, SC

St. Philip’s Church dates back to the 1600s and is one of the most iconic churches in Charleston, South Carolina.

The first thing I notice about this church is the towering steeple and architecture.

Charleston is an amazing city to explore with an abundance of other beautiful churches to explore.

Conclusion

If you are planning a U.S. road trip, love historical architecture and landmarks, or just visiting one of the cities mentioned in this post I highly recommend visiting these churches.

It’s not just Europe that is home to beautiful churches, you can find plenty around the United States, often times in less popular travel destinations.

Let me know if you’ve been to any of these or if you have recommendations yourself that I should visit and add to the list. Safe Travels!

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Plan Your Trip: 🗺️✈️ 🇺🇸

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Activities and Tours 🏖️🚁

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Churches to Visit Across the United States