How Many Churches And How Many Different Denominations Are There in Abilene?
From the very minute I moved to Abilene I was told and I discovered from first-hand experience that Abilene has a lot of churches. In fact, prior to writing this article, I asked several clergies, church leaders, and church-connected people how many churches are there in Abilene.
How Many Churches Are In Abilene?
Not surprisingly, most if not all did not know for sure, or guessed and got it wrong, as did I when I was asked the same question. Thus the reason for this article. The answer is at the current time 171 churches are open and operating in Abilene.
I always thought (and was told) that there were at least 320 or more churches in Abilene. The actual number of 171 actually surprised me, but then again the pandemic has taken its toll on our churches in Abilene and across America for that matter.
It's recently been reported that many churches have closed their doors permanently due to the fact that parishioners are not returning back to the church after the pandemic.
How Many Different Denominations Are There in Abilene?
The other half of the question is "How Many Different Denominations Are There?" That question actually floored me because I thought there were the basic dozen or so. I learned that there are well over 30 (yep, thirty) denominations in Abilene alone. I've listed the different denominations below:
The Different Abilene Denominations are:
- African Methodist Episcopal
- Apostolic
- Apostolic Assembly of the Faith in Christ Jesus
- Assemblies of God
- Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ
- Baptist (CBA)
- Baptist (SBC)
- Catholic
- Christian Churches and Churches of Christ
- Church of Christ
- Church of God (Cleveland, TN)
- Church of God of Prophecy
- Church of the Nazarene
- Disciples of Christ
- Episcopal
- Foursquare
- General Association of Regular Baptist Churches
- Grace Communion International
- Independent Baptist
- Lutheran (ELCA)
- Lutheran (LCMS)
- Methodist (EMC)
- Methodist (UMC)
- Nondenominational
- Orthodox Christian
- Pentecostal
- Pentecostal (UPCI)
- Presbyterian
- Presbyterian (PCUSA)
- Seventh-day Adventist
Source: FaithStreet.com
This explains why Abilene and the Big Country get extremely active around Christian holidays. I thought it would be good to know or at least know a correct answer.
I have also listed a few of the bigger, popular, or just better-known Churches in Abilene. Some are known for the size of the congregation and others are known for their God work in Abilene.
Some of the churches that you may want to check out include:
- First Baptist Church
- Beltway Park Church
- Southern Hills Church of Christ
- Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest
- Highland Church Of Christ
- Elmwood West United Methodist Church
- Abilene Christian Center
- Sacred Heart Catholic Church
- Hope 4 Life Church
- Pioneer Drive Baptist Church
- Zion Lutheran Church
- University Church of Christ
- Lighthouse Church Assembly of God
- Oldham Lane Church of Christ
- Holy Family Catholic Church
I hope this has enlightened and/or answered some questions. By the way, I attend several different churches of different denominations, depending on which of my children I'm accompanying to Church on Sunday. See you in Church!
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