Minneapolis has long been a center of American Christianity -- from the Lutheran heritage of its Scandinavian founders to the influential evangelical institutions that call the metro home (Bethlehem Baptist, Bethel University, Wheaton-adjacent ministries). But the Twin Cities church scene today is far more diverse than its reputation suggests. You'll find thriving immigrant congregations, creative urban church plants, and historic mainline parishes all within a few miles of each other. The Minnesota Nice is real, and in churches here, it comes with genuine substance.

1. Bethlehem Baptist Church

Southern Baptist Convention

Made internationally famous through John Piper's decades-long pastorate, Bethlehem Baptist continues to draw people who value deep, theologically rich preaching and a serious approach to discipleship. The downtown campus is in the heart of the city, and the church's commitment to racial reconciliation and global missions continues to evolve under new leadership.

Overall Rating	4.8 / 5
Visitor Reviews	312

📍 720 13th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55415

Find on FaithScout →

2. Substance Church

Assemblies of God

One of the most creative and culturally engaged churches in the Midwest, Substance draws a young, urban crowd to its Uptown location. The worship is excellent and genre-bending, the preaching is humorous yet substantial, and the church's approach to discipleship -- through 'journey groups' and mentoring -- creates real spiritual growth. If you want church that doesn't feel like church, in the best way, this is it.

Overall Rating	4.8 / 5
Visitor Reviews	276

📍 2741 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408

Find on FaithScout →

3. Bethel Evangelical Free Church

Evangelical Free Church of America

Though just outside Minneapolis in North St. Paul, Bethel draws from across the metro with its outstanding teaching, strong missions emphasis, and genuine community. The church has a long history of developing leaders, and its connection to Bethel University and Seminary provides a theological depth that permeates everything from sermons to small groups.

Overall Rating	4.7 / 5
Visitor Reviews	234

📍 22 N Willow St, North Saint Paul, MN 55109

Find on FaithScout →

4. Sanctuary Covenant Church

Evangelical Covenant Church

A beautifully multiethnic Covenant church in the Tangletown neighborhood that intentionally brings together people from different racial, economic, and cultural backgrounds. The worship seamlessly blends gospel, hymns, and global music, the preaching centers justice and mercy alongside grace, and the community is doing the hard, beautiful work of living out reconciliation.

Overall Rating	4.8 / 5
Visitor Reviews	198

📍 901 W 50th St, Minneapolis, MN 55419

Find on FaithScout →

5. Westminster Presbyterian Church

Presbyterian Church USA

A downtown Minneapolis landmark with a stunning sanctuary, world-class music program, and a congregation that values intellectual engagement with faith. Westminster hosts exceptional concerts, lectures, and arts events throughout the year, and the church's commitment to urban ministry and social justice runs deep. The preaching is thoughtful and consistently excellent.

Overall Rating	4.7 / 5
Visitor Reviews	187

📍 1200 Marquette Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403

Find on FaithScout →

6. Mount Olivet Lutheran Church

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

One of the largest Lutheran congregations in America, Mount Olivet is a Minneapolis institution. The traditional worship is done beautifully -- magnificent organ, excellent choir, thoughtful liturgy -- and the pastoral care is legendary. If you grew up Lutheran and miss that feeling of deep, understated reverence, Mount Olivet delivers it with warmth.

Overall Rating	4.7 / 5
Visitor Reviews	176

📍 5025 Knox Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419

Find on FaithScout →

7. Upper Room Church

Non-Denominational

A prayer-centered, Spirit-led church in the Loring Park area that draws people hungry for genuine encounters with God. Upper Room is more contemplative and charismatic than most Minneapolis churches, with extended worship sets and space for spontaneous prayer. The community is tight-knit and deeply caring.

Overall Rating	4.7 / 5
Visitor Reviews	154

📍 1636 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403

Find on FaithScout →

8. Mercy Vineyard Church

Vineyard Churches

A Vineyard church on Nicollet Avenue that embodies the movement's 'come as you are' ethos. Mercy Vineyard is known for its compassionate community, practical teaching, and a worship style that's intimate and Spirit-led without being chaotic. The church's mercy ministries serve refugees, homeless neighbors, and others on the margins.

Overall Rating	4.7 / 5
Visitor Reviews	132

📍 4229 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55409

Find on FaithScout →

9. Basilica of Saint Mary

Roman Catholic

The first basilica established in the United States, this architectural masterpiece near Loring Park offers magnificent liturgy in one of the most beautiful sacred spaces in the Midwest. The music program is world-class, the parish community is active and welcoming, and the church's social justice commitment -- particularly housing and hunger initiatives -- is substantial.

Overall Rating	4.8 / 5
Visitor Reviews	213

📍 88 N 17th St, Minneapolis, MN 55403

Find on FaithScout →

10. Hope Community Church

Christian and Missionary Alliance

Located in the Phillips neighborhood, Hope Community is one of the most racially and socioeconomically diverse churches in the Twin Cities. The worship blends African, Latino, and American styles, the preaching is gospel-centered and justice-minded, and the church's neighborhood presence -- through mentoring, housing, and community development -- is genuinely transformational.

Overall Rating	4.7 / 5
Visitor Reviews	118

📍 610 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404

Find on FaithScout →

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. A church with 200+ reviews and a 4.8 rating carries more weight than one with 5 reviews and a 5.0 — because consistency matters more than perfection.

Explore More City Guides

Looking for churches in other cities? Check out our guides:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best church in Minneapolis, MN?

Based on visitor ratings on FaithScout, Bethlehem Baptist Church and Substance Church are among the highest-rated churches in Minneapolis, each holding a 4.8 out of 5 rating from hundreds of visitors. The "best" church depends on your personal preferences for worship style, denomination, and community — which is exactly what FaithScout helps you figure out.

How do I find a church in Minneapolis that fits my style?

Take FaithScout's free 2-minute quiz at faithscout.com/onboarding. It matches you with Minneapolis churches based on your preferences for worship style, church size, teaching priorities, and community values. You'll get a ranked list of churches with match percentages showing how well each one fits what you're looking for.

What should I expect when visiting a Minneapolis church for the first time?

Minneapolis churches are generally very welcoming to visitors. Most have greeting teams, visitor parking, and a casual-to-smart-casual dress code. Services typically last 60-90 minutes. Many churches offer coffee and fellowship time before or after the service. Check the church's FaithScout profile for specific details on dress code, parking, and what to expect.

Are there good churches in Minneapolis for young adults?

Yes! Minneapolis has a growing number of churches with thriving young adult communities. Several churches on this list have dedicated college-age and young professional ministries. Use FaithScout's age demographic filter to find congregations where you'll connect with people in your life stage.

I just moved to Minneapolis — how do I start looking for a church?

Start by browsing the churches in this guide or use FaithScout's Minneapolis search to filter by denomination, worship style, location, and more. We recommend visiting 2-3 churches before deciding — and using FaithScout's "Plan My Visit" feature to get reminders, parking tips, and a personalized visit guide for each one.

Start Your Church Search

Minneapolis's church community is as diverse and vibrant as the City of Lakes itself. Whether you're drawn to the rich traditions of Hope Community Church or the contemporary energy of Bethlehem Baptist Church, there's a church in this city waiting to become your home.

Ready to find yours? Take the FaithScout quiz to get personalized matches, or browse all Minneapolis churches to explore on your own.