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Churches in Waco, Texas

This document provides a list of notable churches in Waco, organized by denomination. Waco has a large and diverse religious community, heavily influenced by its location in the "Bible Belt" and the presence of Baylor University.

Baptist

Given the influence of Baylor University, a major Baptist institution, Waco has a high concentration of Baptist churches.

  • First Baptist Church of Waco
  • Denomination: Baptist
  • Pastor: Dr. Matt Snowden
  • Address: 500 Webster Ave, Waco, TX 76701
  • History: Founded in 1851, First Baptist Church is one of the oldest and most historically significant congregations in Waco. It played a key role in the establishment of Waco University, which later merged with Baylor University. The church has a long legacy of social and educational involvement in the city.
  • Source: fbcwaco.org
  • Harris Creek Baptist Church
  • Denomination: Baptist
  • Pastor: Jonathan "JP" Pokluda
  • Address: 401 Stageline Dr, McGregor, TX 76657
  • History: Harris Creek is a large, modern church that has experienced significant growth. It is known for its dynamic teaching and large population of young adults and families. Its pastor, Jonathan Pokluda, is a well-known author and speaker who previously led a major young adult ministry in Dallas.
  • Source: harriscreek.org
  • Calvary Baptist Church
  • Denomination: Baptist
  • Pastor: Currently led by an interim team, including Meredith Stone and John Hunt.
  • Address: 1001 N 18th A St, Waco, TX 76707
  • History: Formed in 1928 from the merger of two other congregations, Calvary Baptist has a rich history in Waco. The current sanctuary was constructed in 1954, and the church has long been a fixture in the Sanger Heights neighborhood, serving people from all over the city.
  • Source: cbcwaco.net
  • University Baptist Church (UBC Waco)
  • Denomination: Baptist
  • Pastor: Andie Pellicer
  • Address: 1701 Dutton Ave, Waco, TX 76706
  • History: Known for its close ties to the Baylor University community, UBC has a reputation for being a creative and progressive congregation. It is particularly famous for its music ministry, as it was the home church for the David Crowder*Band for many years.
  • Source: ubcwaco.org
  • Columbus Avenue Baptist Church
  • Denomination: Baptist
  • Pastor: Dr. Josh Vaughan
  • Address: 1300 Columbus Ave, Waco, TX 76701
  • History: Established in 1901, Columbus Avenue Baptist Church has grown from a small group of 40 to a membership of over 2,200. It has a long history of expanding its facilities and ministries to serve the Waco community, including a strong emphasis on missions and evangelism.
  • Source: cabcwaco.org
  • Highland Baptist Church
  • Denomination: Baptist
  • Pastor: John Durham
  • Address: 3014 Maple Ave, Waco, TX 76707
  • History: Highland Baptist is a large, multi-generational church with a long history in Waco. It is known for its missional focus and its role in planting other churches, most notably being the church from which Antioch Community Church was started. It offers multiple worship services and has a strong emphasis on small groups.
  • Source: hbcwaco.org
  • New Hope Baptist Church
  • Denomination: Baptist (Historically Black Church)
  • Address: Waco, TX
  • History: Organized in 1866, New Hope Baptist Church is one of the oldest African American congregations in Waco. It has a long and distinguished history in the community and is particularly noted for its excellent music ministry, which has been a hallmark of the church across generations.
  • Source: Waco History

Non-Denominational

Waco is home to several large and influential non-denominational congregations.

  • Antioch Community Church
  • Denomination: Non-Denominational
  • Pastor: Jimmy Seibert
  • Address: 510 N 20th St, Waco, TX 76707
  • History: Founded in 1999 by Pastor Jimmy Seibert, Antioch is the hub of a global church-planting movement. It is one of the largest churches in Waco and is known for its passionate worship, emphasis on small groups (Lifegroups), and a strong focus on local and international missions. It has a significant number of college students and young adults.
  • Source: antiochwaco.com
  • Church Under the Bridge
  • Denomination: Non-Denominational
  • Pastor: Jimmy Dorrell
  • Address: Under the I-35 bridge at S. 4th St, Waco, TX 76706
  • History: Started in 1992 by Jimmy Dorrell as a Bible study for the homeless, this church is an iconic Waco ministry. It intentionally gathers a diverse congregation of homeless, low-income, and middle-class individuals for worship every Sunday. It is an outreach of Mission Waco and embodies a commitment to serving the marginalized.
  • Source: churchunderthebridge.org

Catholic

  • St. Louis Catholic Church
  • Denomination: Catholic
  • Pastor: Rev. Ryan Higdon
  • Address: 2001 N 25th St, Waco, TX 76708
  • History: St. Louis is a large and active parish that serves as a central hub for the Catholic community in Waco. It offers multiple services, including in Spanish, to cater to its diverse congregation. The parish is also closely tied to the Bishop Reicher Catholic School system, highlighting its commitment to Catholic education.
  • Source: stlouiswaco.com
  • St. Mary's Church of the Assumption
  • Denomination: Catholic
  • Pastor: (Not listed on website)
  • Address: 1401 Washington Ave, Waco, TX 76701
  • History: Formally established in 1870, St. Mary's is the oldest Catholic parish in Waco and is known as the "Mother Church" of the Catholic Faith in the area. It has a rich history of founding other parishes and has been at its current location since 1942.
  • Source: stmarys-waco.org

Methodist

  • First Methodist Church of Waco (Cobbs Dr Campus)
  • Denomination: Global Methodist Church (disaffiliated from United Methodist 2023)
  • Pastor: Led by a pastoral team, including Rev. Nick Matthews and Rev. Steve Holston.
  • Address: 4901 Cobbs Dr, Waco, TX 76710
  • History: Founded in 1850, First Methodist is the oldest congregation in Waco. Known as the "Mother of Methodism in Central Texas," it has a long history of community involvement and church planting. The original downtown building was heavily damaged in the 1953 tornado, and the congregation moved to its current location in 1963. In 2023, it joined the Global Methodist Church. On August 31, 2025, the downtown campus (1300 Austin Ave) separated as an independent congregation — "First Methodist Church of Waco — Downtown Campus" — remaining United Methodist, while this Cobbs Dr campus continues as Global Methodist.
  • Source: firstwaco.com
  • Central United Methodist Church
  • Denomination: United Methodist Church
  • Pastor: Michael David Brower
  • Address: 5740 Bagby Ave, Waco, TX 76712
  • History: Central UMC is a well-established church in the Waco community, focused on creating a place of belonging centered in Jesus. It offers a variety of worship styles and small group opportunities.
  • Source: cumcwaco.com

Other Notable Denominations

  • Redeemer Presbyterian Church (PCA)
  • Denomination: Presbyterian Church in America (PCA)
  • Pastor: Jeff Hatton
  • Address: 2501 Ritchie Rd, Waco, TX 76712
  • History: Planted in 1998 by Pastor Jeff Hatton, Redeemer is a key church in the PCA denomination in Waco. It is committed to the historic Reformed faith and has a strong focus on college ministry through its Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) program at Baylor.
  • Source: redeemerwaco.org
  • St. Alban's Episcopal Church
  • Denomination: Episcopal
  • Pastor: The Rev. Aaron M. G. Zimmerman
  • Address: 305 N 30th St, Waco, TX 76710
  • History: Established in 1946 as a mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, St. Alban's has grown into a prominent parish in Waco. The church is known for its traditional Anglican worship, its strong music program, and its historic campus, which includes a bell tower with a 36-bell carillon.
  • Source: stalbanswaco.org
  • Lake Shore Drive Church of Christ
  • Denomination: Church of Christ
  • Pastor: Led by a team of elders.
  • Address: 2800 Lake Shore Dr, Waco, TX 76708
  • History: This congregation traces its roots back to 1870, making it one of the oldest Church of Christ bodies in Waco. After several moves and name changes over the decades, the church built its current facility on Lake Shore Drive in the late 1960s. It has a long history of serving the Waco community.
  • Source: churchofchristlakeshore.net
  • First Presbyterian Church of Waco
  • Denomination: Presbyterian
  • Address: Waco, TX
  • History: One of McLennan County's oldest Protestant congregations, First Presbyterian was formed several years before Waco was even incorporated as a city. It has been a steady presence in the Waco community for well over 150 years.
  • Source: Waco History

Jewish

  • Temple Rodef Sholom
  • Denomination: Jewish (Reform)
  • Address: Waco, TX
  • History: Temple Rodef Sholom holds the distinction of being McLennan County's oldest and largest Jewish congregation. It has been a cornerstone of the Jewish community in Central Texas for generations and plays an important role in the city's interfaith life.
  • Source: Waco History

Sources: Baylor University's local church directory, FaithStreet, Waco History project, and individual church websites.