Places of worship in Rochester (New York)

Rochester, New York, has many places of worship of different religions and denominations. The 1 Interfaith Chapel at the University of Rochester sits on the banks of the Genesee River; it houses services of different religions and denominations. There are many others to be sure in Rochester as well as surrounding towns and suburbs

Here are a few of the many worship places within the Christian Community; If you're looking for a lively Protestant church in the heart of downtown, 2 Bethel Christian Fellowship on 321 East Avenue and Broad Street which seats a good number of worshipers.

New Song Church, which meets in an auditorium at Monroe Community College because it lacks a building of its own, offers a very modern and youth-oriented service. Both of these churches are popular with college students.

A bit down the street from Bethel, you'll find a more traditional service at 3 Asbury First United Methodist Church (1050 East Ave.), recognized for wonderful formal music.

Speaking of music, 4 Pearce Memorial Church features many musicians from the Roberts Wesleyan College community. Take 490 way out west to the North Chili exit, and follow the signs right for Roberts Wesleyan.

Tucked almost in the heart of downtown, 5 Lutheran Church of the Incarnate Word is a cozy place 597 East Avenue. Walk across the street afterward for lunch at the Spot.

Also downtown, next door to the Geva Theatre is 6 St. Mary's Catholic church. This church has beautiful architecture to behold. Across the street is the 7 Universalist church which also is interesting to visit. A popular Catholic Church, 8 St. Pius X, is at 3010 Chili Avenue, which is the western continuation of Main street (take the expressway to avoid lights; it's between the airport exit and Chili Center). 9 St. Stanislaus on Hudson Avenue preserves Polish culture and European architecture.

A few miles west of downtown, visible from 490, is an exuberant Spanish congregation: 10 Iglesia La Luz Del Mundo, 200 Child Street.

Also within the Christian community are two messianic congregations: 11 Petah Tikvah on Doncaster and 12 Shema Yisrael. If you follow 590 North up to the Webster exit, turn right at the first street. Shema Yisrael is on 250 Edgewood Ave.

Other houses of Christian worship include Baptist, and 13 Christian Science.

Within the Jewish community there are more than a dozen welcoming synagogues and communal services available within a few miles of downtown.

The largest Conservative synagogue is 14 Temple Beth El on South Winton Road. The largest Reform synagogue is 15 Temple B'rith Kodesh on 2131 Elmwood Avenue in the Town of Brighton which is adjacent to Rochester and minutes from downtown. It too has very interesting design.

16 Temple Sinai is a Reform congregation on Penfield Rd. also a hop and a skip on East Avenue from downtown. It has a beautiful sanctuary with a wall of glass looking out to the natural beauty outside.

17 Beth Sholom, Rochester's largest modern Orthodox and Zionist synagogue, is at 1161 Monroe Avenue, near downtown.

Light of Israel, Rochester's only Sephardic minyan, in Beth Sholom at 1161 Monroe Avenue, welcomes all. It preserves the distinctive beauty of ancient mizrachi (mideast) worship.

18 Chabad 1037 S. Winton Rd is in the heart of Brighton at 12 Corners and has branches at the University of Rochester and in Pittsford.

Other synagogues are: 19 Congregation Etz Chaim (reform) in Fairport, about 15 minutes from downtown, 20 Beth Hamedresh-Beth Israel (Conservative), on East Avenue, 21 Temple Beth David (Conservative), 22 Beth Hakneses Hachodosh (Orthodox), 23 Temple Emanuel (Reform) and there are others.

The Jewish community is also served by Kosher food restaurants: the 1 Jewish Home (2021 S Winton Rd), Malek's Kosher Bakery (1795 Monroe Avenue), 2 Lipman's Kosher Market (1482 Monroe Avenue) and several grocery stores such as 3 Wegmans on Monroe Avenue and 4 Tops on S Clinton Avenue.

There are also Hindu, Muslim and Bahai communities in Rochester.