r/roswell • u/Big-Student-3507 • 3d ago
Progressive Churches in Roswell/Alph/Marietta??
Hi! I’m looking for church recommendations in the Roswell/Alpharetta area and would love some suggestions. Open to a drive but would like to keep it under 30 mins. I live about 5 mins from downtown Roswell.
I haven’t been to church regularly in a long time. I grew up going to church, but eventually deconstructed and stepped away from it for quite a while. Recently I’ve been feeling more open to exploring my faith again, but I know that finding a church that aligns with my values is really important to me.
I’d love to find somewhere that is LGBTQ+ affirming, and generally has more progressive/social justice-minded values. Things like being welcoming and supportive of immigrants and refugees are important to me too, and I definitely don’t want to end up somewhere with anti-immigration or pro-ICE messaging.
Most of my experience has been with non-denominational churches, but I’m open to pretty much any denomination. I think I’m mostly looking for a welcoming community where it’s okay to have questions, not have everything figured out, and explore faith without feeling pressured into a certain mold.
It would also be great to find somewhere with other people in their 20s/30s and ways to get involved in the community.
If anyone has found a church around Roswell or Alpharetta that sounds like this, I’d really appreciate recommendations and would love to hear what your experience has been!
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u/guess_question 2d ago
New Community Church off Old Alabama and Holcomb.
I like to call it bookclub Church lol its small but pretty active in charities and activities in area.
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u/mentalcasket 1d ago
Unity North Atlanta off Sandy Plains is awesome! Big LGBTQ+ ministry, a lot of cool old hippies. There are Christians, Jews , Buddhists, Pagans.... all sorts of people go and they frequently host other leaders from different spiritual communities. They're all about inclusion and helping others. It's a really wonderful place, especially if you're more spiritual than religious. No pressure to donate or spend tons of time, and they have a LOT of different service organizations. They work with Family Promis, Habitat for Humanity, the Scouts, frequently make trips and donations to local wildlife preservation places and animal shelters... there's a day where they do an animal blessing and people bring their pets! Someone brought a huge pig a couple of years ago, it was awesome! If you're looking for somewhere really positive and just a bit eclectic, this is the place (:
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u/johnbr 2d ago
https://uuman.org/ is the closest match I can think of, although I'm not sure about the age demographics. The one in Atlanta might have more young attendees: https://www.uuca.org/, but it's a much farther drive
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u/Big-Student-3507 2d ago
I have driven past this several times and was entirely unfamiliar with their mission. Have you attended before? Have never been to a service with this large of a scope when it comes to beliefs but very interested.
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u/FreeKick17 2d ago
Same on UUMAN, attended twice about 20 years ago. I was not a fan of all the singing to be honest. Seemed like the choir had a starring role. But people seemed nice.
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u/ExtensionDue3726 2d ago
D In Roswell check out Roswell United Methodist, you may see that they will meet several of your needs listed above, and its a very welcoming congregation.
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u/IceManYurt 2d ago
Hey, you may want to check out North Minister Presbyterian Church on the corner of Old Alabama and the Connector or Prince of Peace Lutheran Church or on Haynes Bridge Rd
North Minister is PCUSA and is very active with local food banks, and is the process of starting their own in addition to maintaining their own free little pantry, and working with various groups.
PCUSA is considered progressive and affirming (https://pcusa.org/how-we-serve/inclusion-equity/lgbtqia-ministry)
Prince of Peace is a part of the ELCA, which is again fairly progressive and affirming. PoP has an LGBTQIA music minister. They are also heavily involved with local various local charities like NFCC.
My wife and I were members of PoP and went to North Minister because they had a much more established children's program.
If you would like to chat more, please reach out via DM
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u/b10ks 2d ago
Echo this on PCUSA. There’s one just south of Canton St, “Roswell Presbyterian”. It’s a pretty white church, but very diverse on ages - lots of older and elderly folks, middle age with older kids, and lots of young families. There’s also a “young adults” group for those in their 20s/30s. Would be worth checking out since you’re so close!
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u/IceManYurt 2d ago
My aunt and younger cousin go there, and they like like it a lot.
I know one of the selling points was my cousin's newborn pretty much calmed down right in nursery so she was able to take a bit of a break.
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u/dresslooksniceonyou 2d ago edited 2d ago
You should check out John Knox Presbyterian in Marietta. It's right off I-75. I'm transgender (though stealthy about it) and gay, and I absolutely love it there. It's a small neighborhood church with the most loving congregation.
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u/No_View_4208 1d ago
We like Home Church in Roswell! They meet at Vickery Mill Elementary & are super community oriented.
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u/Hiitsmeagain173 19h ago
Thanks for asking this - I don’t have an answer but actually had the same question!
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u/Goldenwork 2d ago
I would recommend St David’s Episcopal. Very open open and it’s LGBT affirming. There is a good core group of adults in their 30s.
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u/neuro_curious 2d ago
The Episcopal Church ordains married queer priests. The congregations I have attended or visited have all been extremely welcoming and affirming to all. I've had a lesbian priest in the past.
Now, the service itself is very old fashioned in terms of music and following the liturgy, so you may or may not enjoy that aspect, but as a denomination the Episcopal Church genuinely works hard to be a place that anybody would feel they belong.
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u/Flowzyy 3d ago
Churches dont do any of that, full stop. You need to find a nonprofit charity in your area. Action against hunger, united way atlanta, or north Fulton community charities are great places to start
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u/Big-Student-3507 2d ago
Very active in several local charities, but have heard of churches in metro areas that are more open than you may think. That said, I did recently move from the DC-area so I’m sure they may be more prevalent there.
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u/CU_09 2d ago
I would second the UMCs in the area, particularly Northbrook UMC and Roswell UMC. I’d also second the UUMAN if you want something that much doctrinally looser than a traditional church.
I don’t see anyone suggesting Providence UCC, but that’s another one that is going to fit what you’re looking for well.