LGBT Friendly Churches in Raleigh, North Carolina

Individuals that identify as LGBTQ often have a complicated relationship with religion. However, as North Carolina and its cities get increasingly gay-friendly, a growing number of affirming churches are emerging.

In Raleigh, there is a significant selection of churches and spiritual centers that are gay and queer-friendly. These churches treat everyone equally and cultivate environments that are open and welcoming to all. Many of these churches have long histories of affirming attitudes.

This guide showcases several of the largest and most noteworthy LGBTQ-friendly churches in Raleigh. Note that this is not an exhaustive list, but rather a useful starting point for LGBTQ people or allies who are new to Raleigh or who are looking for a new church in Raleigh.

Community United Church of Christ Has Taken an Official Affirming Stance Since the 1980s

Community United Church of Christ, located at 814 Dixie Trail in Raleigh, has been explicitly affirming of the LGBT community since 1989. In that year, Community UCC leadership passed anti-discrimination resolutions for gay, lesbian, and bisexual members.

In 2011, they updated these resolutions to reflect, in their words, a “growing understanding” of gender identity and sexual orientation. In other words, the church takes a welcoming stance towards members of any sexual orientation or gender identity.

The United Church of Christ, the denomination that Community UCC belongs to, is one of the most progressive mainstream protestant churches in the country. In fact, the church’s leadership body filed the lawsuit that made gay marriage legal in North Carolina in 2014.

Community UCC offered to perform gay marriages as far back as 2005. It vocally spoke out against the proposed ban on same-sex marriages that was circulating in North Carolina in 2012.

Community United Church of Christ has also participated in both major pride events in the RTP region, the Out! Raleigh festival and the Pride: Durham parade. In addition to its LGBTQ-affirming stance, the church has social justice initiatives focusing on racial justice, affordable housing, reducing carbon output, and more.

Visit Community United Church of Christ’s website to learn more about its views on the LGBTQ community and justice. Better yet, check out Community United Church of Christ in person or online via livestream every Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m.

Pullen Memorial Baptist Church Has Supported Civil Rights Since the 1950s

Pullen Memorial is another Raleigh congregation with a long history of support for the LGBTQ community.

Pullen was founded in Raleigh in the 1800s, but the church’s history of civil rights activism took hold during the 1950s with pastor William Finlator. Finlator was an advocate for black people, women, and gay people.

In 1992, the church endorsed the acceptance of gay and lesbian Christians and blessed the union of a same-sex male couple. Despite the backlash the church faced, including being kicked out of the national Baptist church, the church grew by attracting an influx of LGBTQ and allied members. In 2002, Nancy Petty became the church’s first woman and lesbian pastor. The church continued to ordain gay marriages throughout the 2000s.

Fast forward to today, and Pullen Memorial Baptist Church is still advocating for LGBTQ and other marginalized groups. The church’s website emphasizes “radical hospitality,” which means standing up for the poor, oppressed, and disenfranchised communities of the world.

Pullen meets Sundays at 11 a.m. at 1801 Hillsborough St. in Raleigh, near Pullen Park. You can also view a livestream of its service online. Pullen also maintains a bustling event calendar, where you can find more details about the church’s efforts at fostering community and furthering its mission and values. A few of these events include an LGBTQ support group and “Brave Space” for LGBTQ college students.

West Raleigh Presbyterian Church is Historically Linked with the University Community

Yet another welcoming and progressive church in Raleigh is West Raleigh Presbyterian, located at 27 Horne Street in – you guessed it – West Raleigh.

West Raleigh Presbyterian was founded in 1927 with a focus on serving students and faculty at North Carolina State University. The relationship with the university led to the church taking a progressive stance on societal issues throughout its history.

In the 1960s, the church established a racially integrated child care center, which was ahead of its time in the state of North Carolina. West Raleigh Presbyterian also has a strong history of female leadership.

The church continues to be a progressive stronghold, with its website emphasizing dismantling racism and eradicating poverty. Importantly, the congregation is fully open to the participation of LGBTQ people, including in leadership positions within the church.

West Raleigh Presbyterian meets Sundays at 11 a.m. both in person and online via the church’s YouTube channel.

St. John’s Metropolitan Community Church is Centered Around Affirming Ideology

St. John’s Metropolitan is located in the direct center of Raleigh, a few blocks away from the State Capitol Building.

The MCC, the denomination that St. John’s follows, is known for its advocacy for the LGBTQ community. Its central premise is to provide a welcoming church for LGBTQ individuals and allies. However, the church makes it clear that everyone is welcome, not just LGBTQ people.

St. John’s Metropolitan Community Church also actively supports gun safety reform, immigrant and minority communities, and other progressive political efforts. The church is also active in community volunteer efforts, including preparing meals and emergency shelter for those in need.

St. John’s meets Sundays at 10 a.m. at 4 North Blount Street, Raleigh, NC. You can also follow along online live by following the link to the church’s livestream on its website. Past sermons are also available for viewing, to get a feel for the church before attending in person.

Open Table United Methodist Church is a Reconciling Ministry

Open Table UMC is located in the Oakwood neighborhood, just north of downtown Raleigh.

This church is deeply rooted in the Raleigh community, dating back to its founding in 1942 as Trinity UMC. In 2016 the church renamed itself Open Table UMC to signify its commitment to building relationships with all members of the local community, including LGBTQ members.

The congregation voted to join the Reconciling Ministries Network, which is a network of Methodist churches that was born from a protest in the 1980’s of the UMC’s decision to ban gay ministers. The RMC is committed to celebrating diversity of all types, including gender and sexuality.

Open Table expresses these values in practice by participating in Out! Raleigh every year and hosting an annual “Queerly Beloved” service that celebrates historical LGBTQ saints. Some members of the church’s leadership also identify as LGBTQ.

Open Table UMC gathers on Sundays at 10 a.m. at 824 N. Bloodworth St. in Raleigh, and also offers years’ worth of past sermons on its website for anyone to listen to or view.

Church on Morgan is an LGBTQ-Affirming Methodist Church

Located at 136 E Morgan Street, the simply named Church on Morgan is another downtown church that is affirming of its LGBTQ members.

The church is officially affiliated with the United Methodist Church, which is split in its attitudes toward LGBTQ inclusion. However, the UMC typically leaves some level of discretion up to its members, and Church on Morgan has made a conscious decision to be inclusive and affirming.

LGBTQ individuals are fully welcome to take part as members and leaders of Church on Morgan. In June, the church hosts an annual Pride Brunch on a Sunday morning.

Church on Morgan’s website also characterizes the church as anti-racist and anti-nationalist in addition to affirming of LGBTQ individuals.

The church hosts two services every Sunday at 9 and 11 am. Online services are also available on the church website.

Honorable Mentions: Additional LGBTQ-Friendly Churches in Raleigh

Fortunately for the Raleigh LGBTQ Christian community, there are too many LGBT-friendly churches in the city to cover them all in detail. The churches described below are also friendly and welcoming places for LGBTQ people to congregate.

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh

While Unitarian communities are not traditional churches, because they welcome people of all faiths (or no faith), UUFR is a great place for LGBTQ people looking to join a non-judgmental spiritual community.

UUFR is located in West Raleigh in the University Park neighborhood (one of Raleigh’s more LGBTQ-friendly neighborhoods), at 3313 Wade Ave, Raleigh, NC. Join them in person every Sunday or online via livestream on the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh website.

Raleigh Friends Meeting

Raleigh Friends Meeting is a meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, also known as the Quakers, in Raleigh. The website for the Raleigh Friends Meeting states that all are welcome whatever their race, religion, age, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

Quaker meetings are “unpastored,” meaning meetings are spent sitting in a circle in silence unless a member has something to say. Regardless, the Raleigh Friends Meeting convenes for an hour every Sunday morning, and features daycare for children and is followed by coffee and snacks.

Common Thread Church

Common Thread Church, located at 2011 Ridge Rd., Raleigh, NC, is formed around the idea of belonging. The church specifically welcomes LGBTQ people, as well as anyone who has felt judged or rejected by other religious groups.

Common Threat Church also emphasizes self-awareness, wellness, and gender equality in church leadership. The church meets every Sunday morning and also casts the audio of their sermons to the church website.

Umstead Park United Church of Christ

Umstead Park United Church of Christ belongs to the same denomination as Community United Church of Christ and is also a highly progressive and welcoming church in Raleigh.

While Community UCC is located closer to central Raleigh, Umstead Park UCC is convenient for LGBTQ and allied Christians who live in Northwest Raleigh, near the North entrance to William B. Umstead State Park. It is located at 8202 Brownleigh Drive, Raleigh, NC.

Raleigh Mennonite Church

There are many misconceptions about Mennonites. Many people believe Mennonites shun technology, similar to the Amish. While Mennonites and Amish share some theological ideas, most Mennonites dress normally and use technology as any other average person would.

The Raleigh Mennonite Church is a modern Mennonite congregation, and its members are normal, average people in the Raleigh community. The church affirms that people of any ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity can fully participate in the church. The church is located at 121 Hillsborough Street and meets every Sunday morning.

References

• UNC – LGBTQ – Faith and Spirituality
• ABC7 – Historic Raleigh Church Supporting LGBTQ Equality Since the 1950s
• NY Times – United Church of Christ Supports Gay Marriage (2005)
• Reconciling Ministries Network