Multitude of Churches: How Many Different Denominations Are There in Abilene?

From the minute I moved to Abilene I was told and discovered first-hand that Abilene has a lot of churches. Prior to writing this article, I asked several church leaders and church members exactly how many churches there are in Abilene.

How Many Churches Are In Abilene?

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 at the writing of this article is that 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 number of 171 actually surprised me, but then again the pandemic has taken its toll on 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 after the pandemic.

How Many Different Denominations Are There in Abilene?

The answer to that question actually floored me because I thought there were the basic dozen or so. I learned that there are nearly 30 denominations in Abilene alone.

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
• 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

Below I have also listed a few of the bigger, better-known churches in the area. Some are known for the size of the congregation and others are known for their God work in Abilene.

Some of the churches 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 on Sunday. See you in Church!