Charlotte is one of the fastest-growing cities in America, and its church community is growing just as fast. The Queen City sits squarely in the Bible Belt, but its faith landscape extends far beyond traditional Southern Baptist roots. With a steady influx of transplants from the Northeast, Midwest, and West Coast, Charlotte's churches have become remarkably diverse in style, theology, and culture. From the nationally known Elevation Church to historic AME congregations in the West End, there's something for everyone. Also exploring the Southeast? Check out our guides to Memphis and Columbus, or head west to Denver.

1. Elevation Church

Non-Denominational

Elevation Church needs little introduction. Founded by Pastor Steven Furtick in 2006, it has grown into one of the largest and most recognized churches in America, with multiple campuses across the Charlotte metro. The worship is world-class (their music is on playlists everywhere), the preaching is dynamic and applicable, and the production quality is exceptional. Love it or not, Elevation has shaped Charlotte's church culture more than any other congregation in the past two decades.

Overall Rating	4.8 / 5
Worship	4.9 / 5
Teaching	4.8 / 5
Children's Ministry	4.8 / 5

📍 Multiple Campuses, Charlotte, NC

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2. Forest Hill Church

Non-Denominational

Forest Hill Church has been a Charlotte institution for decades, with multiple campuses serving communities across the metro. What sets Forest Hill apart is its rare combination of size and warmth — it's a large church that still feels personal. Their teaching is solidly Biblical and practically applicable, the worship is engaging without being overwhelming, and their community groups create genuine belonging. Families particularly love the well-resourced children's and student ministries.

Overall Rating	4.8 / 5
Community	4.8 / 5
Teaching	4.8 / 5
Welcome	4.8 / 5

📍 Multiple Campuses, Charlotte, NC

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3. Calvary Church

Non-Denominational

Calvary Church on Pineville-Matthews Road is one of Charlotte's largest and most established congregations. With a sprawling campus that includes state-of-the-art worship facilities, a coffee shop, and extensive children's spaces, Calvary offers a full-service church experience. Their preaching is consistently excellent, their missions program is global in scope, and the sheer breadth of ministries means there's a place for everyone — from college students to senior adults.

Overall Rating	4.7 / 5
Teaching	4.8 / 5
Children's Ministry	4.8 / 5
Worship	4.7 / 5

📍 5801 Pineville-Matthews Rd, Charlotte, NC 28226

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4. Transformation Church Charlotte

Non-Denominational

Transformation Church has become one of the most exciting churches in Charlotte, drawing a young, diverse crowd with its authentic leadership and creative worship. Pastor Derwin Gray, a former NFL player, brings an energy and vulnerability to his preaching that resonates deeply with a generation looking for real, not polished. The church's commitment to racial reconciliation and multiethnic community makes it a model for what the Church can look like.

Overall Rating	4.7 / 5
Community	4.9 / 5
Teaching	4.8 / 5
Worship	4.7 / 5

📍 Indian Land, SC (Greater Charlotte)

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5. First Baptist Church Charlotte

Baptist

First Baptist Church on Davidson Street has been a cornerstone of Charlotte's faith community since 1832. Located in the heart of Uptown, this historic church offers a worship experience that honors Baptist tradition while embracing a welcoming, progressive spirit. The preaching is intellectually rich, the music program is one of the finest in the Southeast, and the church's social justice ministries are deeply impactful.

Overall Rating	4.7 / 5
Teaching	4.8 / 5
Worship	4.8 / 5
Welcome	4.6 / 5

📍 301 S Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28202

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6. Center City Church

Non-Denominational

Center City Church is Charlotte's premier urban church, meeting in the heart of Uptown and drawing young professionals who live and work in the city center. The church has a distinctly cosmopolitan feel — intimate, thoughtful, and culturally engaged. Their teaching tackles real-world topics with theological depth, and the community is tight-knit without being cliquish. A great fit for those who want faith to intersect with city life.

Overall Rating	4.7 / 5
Community	4.8 / 5
Welcome	4.8 / 5
Teaching	4.7 / 5

📍 Uptown Charlotte, NC

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7. Christ Episcopal Church

Episcopal

Christ Episcopal Church in the Elizabeth neighborhood is one of Charlotte's most beautiful and historic churches. The stunning Gothic architecture, rich liturgical worship, and thoughtful preaching create a sacred space that feels set apart from the busy city. The church is deeply committed to outreach, running one of the largest food pantries in Charlotte, and their welcome to visitors of all backgrounds is genuine and warm.

Overall Rating	4.6 / 5
Worship	4.8 / 5
Community	4.7 / 5
Welcome	4.6 / 5

📍 1412 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28207

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8. Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church

Baptist

Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist in West Charlotte is a pillar of the African American church community in the Queen City. The worship is spirited and soulful, the preaching is powerful and prophetic, and the church's commitment to community empowerment — through education programs, economic development, and youth mentorship — makes it far more than a Sunday experience. This is a church that's changing its neighborhood.

Overall Rating	4.6 / 5
Community	4.8 / 5
Worship	4.8 / 5
Teaching	4.6 / 5

📍 West Charlotte, NC

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9. Providence Baptist Church

Baptist

Providence Baptist in South Charlotte has served the community for generations with a commitment to Biblical teaching, strong fellowship, and community outreach. The church offers both traditional and contemporary worship services, giving members the choice of hymns with organ or modern worship with a band. Their adult education program is particularly well-developed, with classes that go deep into Scripture.

Overall Rating	4.6 / 5
Teaching	4.7 / 5
Community	4.7 / 5
Welcome	4.6 / 5

📍 4921 Randolph Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211

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10. Red Rocks Church Charlotte

Non-Denominational

Red Rocks Church, originally from Colorado, planted a Charlotte campus that has quickly gained a loyal following. With a modern, come-as-you-are approach, Red Rocks appeals to people who may be skeptical of traditional church. The teaching is honest and relatable, the worship is energetic, and the overall atmosphere is designed to make newcomers feel immediately comfortable. A great on-ramp for those exploring faith.

Overall Rating	4.6 / 5
Welcome	4.8 / 5
Worship	4.7 / 5
Teaching	4.6 / 5

📍 Charlotte, NC

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How We Ranked These Churches

Our rankings are based on FaithScout's multi-dimensional rating system. Unlike simple star ratings, we evaluate churches across five key dimensions that matter most to visitors: teaching quality, community atmosphere, worship experience, welcome and hospitality, and children's ministry. Each score comes directly from real visitor reports — not paid placements or self-reported data.

Churches are ranked by their overall composite score, weighted by the number of visitor reviews. For Charlotte, we ensured our list reflects the city's mix of megachurches, historic congregations, and emerging church plants across diverse neighborhoods and traditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best church in Charlotte, NC?

Based on visitor ratings on FaithScout, Elevation Church, Forest Hill Church, and Calvary Church are among the highest-rated congregations in Charlotte. The best church for you depends on your preferences — take the FaithScout quiz to find your ideal match.

Is Elevation Church worth visiting?

Elevation Church, led by Pastor Steven Furtick, is one of the most well-known churches in America. With multiple Charlotte-area campuses, it offers world-class worship music, dynamic preaching, and excellent children's ministry. Whether it's the right long-term fit depends on your preferences, but it's absolutely worth experiencing at least once.

What denominations are common in Charlotte?

Charlotte has deep Baptist and Presbyterian roots, along with thriving non-denominational, Methodist, Catholic, and AME congregations. The city's rapid growth has also attracted church plants from denominations like the Anglican Church in North America and the PCA (Presbyterian Church in America).

Are there churches in Charlotte for young professionals?

Charlotte's booming young professional population is well-served by churches like Elevation Church, Transformation Church, Center City Church, and Red Rocks Charlotte. These congregations have strong young adult ministries with regular social events, small groups, and volunteer opportunities designed for people in their 20s and 30s.

How do I find a church near me in Charlotte?

Use FaithScout's Charlotte search to filter churches by denomination, worship style, and neighborhood. You can also take the free 2-minute quiz at faithscout.com/onboarding for personalized recommendations based on your preferences.

Start Your Church Search in Charlotte

Charlotte's church community is as dynamic and fast-growing as the Queen City itself. Whether you're drawn to the high-energy worship of Elevation, the multiethnic vision of Transformation Church, or the historic beauty of Christ Episcopal, there's a congregation in Charlotte waiting to welcome you home.

Ready to find yours? Take the FaithScout quiz to get personalized matches, or browse all Charlotte churches to explore on your own. Also check out our guides to Memphis and Indianapolis for more Southern and Midwestern church recommendations.