Not Your Typical Church — These NYC Sacred Spaces Are Redefining Their Message With Cooking Classes, Fashion Shows, Film Screenings, And More

You walk past them every day. Their spires piece through the city’s skyline , intricate stonework stands proud against the concrete jungle, and stained-glass windows peek out from the sidewalks of New York City. With more than 1,600 NYC churches scattered across the five boroughs, it’s easy to admire the architecture of landmarks like St. Thomas on Fifth Avenue or the neo-Gothic beauty of St. Patrick’s Cathedral without giving a second thought to what else goes on inside. But step through the doors of some of the city’s churches, and you might be surprised—these aren’t just places for sermons or quiet reflection. Judson Memorial Church ---------------------- Tucked at the corner of Washington Square , Judson Memorial Church has long been a hub for bold creativity and breaking barriers . Nowadays it hosts cutting-edge exhibitions and live music, but it was also one of the first churches in New York City to openly welcome the LGBTQ+ community , offering support during the AIDS crisis and earning its place as a curbstone of LGBTQ+ life in the city. This year, Judson celebrates the 55th anniversary of the People’s Flag Show — the provocative 1966 exhibition that challenged norms and sparked a national debate about art and free expression — andwill host an exhibition with related performances and events that creatively interrogate the American flag as a symbol of “liberty and justice for all” . Judson Memorial Church continues to contribute an exciting mixture of activism and imagination to the city, click here to see what they have coming up. 📍 *55 Washington Square S, New York, NY 10012* 💒🏳️‍🌈 *Hosts creative performances, exhibitions, talks, and concerts; open calls for artists outside of the church community.* Riverside Church ---------------- Perched on the Upper West Side with its soaring neo-Gothic tower visible from miles away, Riverside Church might seem like just another majestic NYC landmark. But step inside its Riverside Theatre , and you’ll find a hub of creativity that has nothing to do with Sunday sermons. An institution that has hosted the likes of Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela , The Riverside Theatre transforms historic space into a stage for thought-provoking plays to contemporary dance and multimedia performances . Riverside has hosted productions that amplify diverse voices, proving that in NYC, a church can be as much about culture as it is about contemplation. 📍*490 Riverside Dr, New York, NY 10027* 💒🎭 *Hosts plays, dance performances, talks, readings, and more. Click here to view the upcoming program.* The Church of the Heavenly Rest ------------------------------- Deep in the heart of Museum Mile , the Church of the Heavenly Rest offers a secluse from the hustle and bustle of Fifth Avenue . As if its neo-Gothic architecture and intricate stained-glass windows were not enchanting enough, the church hosts **Candlelight** concerts, turning the sanctuary into a glowing stage for classical music. From tributes to the best of the classical repertoire to modern stars such as Adele , performances by a string quartet are accompanied by flickering candlelight which dances across the vaulted ceilings and stained glass, reminding you that venues with natural acoustics are where music has always meant to be listened to. And its not just concerts that the Church of the Heavenly Rest hosts. Proving that fashion can be just as divine as architecture, the aisle transforms into a runway for the annual Dressed to Kilt fashion show — the largest and most prestigious Scottish fashion show in the world. This stylish celebration of Scottish heritage showcases the tartans and tweeds of the highlands with a touch of New York flair. It’s couture meets cathedral — honoring the tradition of tartan while looking boldly toward the future of fashion. 📍*1085 5th Ave, New York, NY 10128* 💒🕯️*Hosts Candlelight concerts. Click here to view the upcoming program.* Church of St. Edward the Martyr ------------------------------- On the East Harlem side of Fifth Avenue , the Church of St. Edward the Martyr blends historic charm with practical community support. Its Gothic arches and stained-glass windows hint at the building’s long history, while inside, the church hosts free English lessons that welcomes members and newcomers alike. It’s a small but powerful reminder that even amid East Harlem’s busy streets, tradition and everyday life can meet in ways that strengthen the whole community . 📍*14 E 109th St, New York, NY 10029* 💒🗣️*Offers a range of services and events, including El Barrio Angels Drop-in Center, free English lessons, and lectures by notable figures. Click here for more information.* St. Luke in the Fields ---------------------- In the West Village , aptly named St. Luke in the Fields’ public gardens offer an oasis from the city. Spanning more than two-thirds of an acre , the gardens house a diverse range of flora, including rare hybrids and native American plants. From the collection of cherry trees to the Rectory Garden celebrated for its special roses , the gardens are a unique natural offering in the city. Just a couple of blocks from NYU , the gardens at St. Luke in the Fields provide a serene escape, perfect for a quiet break between lectures or a peaceful pause from studying. 📍*485 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014* 💒🌸*Large gardens open to the public. Click here to read about more hidden gardens in NYC.* St. John the Divine ------------------- Tours are offered on the history of the cathedral, which is ranked as the world’s sixth largest church, as well as “Vertical Tours ”, where you can climb 124 feet through spiral staircases to explore the top of the world’s sixth largest church. Forget rooftop bars and skyscrapers, this is one of the most unforgettable and unsung birdseye views of NYC. Other than its sermons and services, St. John the Divine is infamous in the community for their Blessing of the Animals service, where furry, feathered, and scaly companions are brought from far and wide to be blessed. The annual festival includes a Procession of Animals, where you can expect to see hamsters, horses, and hounds down the nave of the Church, and is followed by a festival featuring local neighborhood organizations and environmental programs. And as for other festivities, the Church holds an annual Halloween screening of silent classic *Nosferatu* (1922) with live organ accompaniment , and the Winter Solstice series of concerts starring the Paul Winter Consort . 📍*1047 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025* 💒🐪 *Range of arts events including poet residencies, immersive art exhibits, and performances. Annual community celebrations, such as the Blessing of the Animals and film screenings. Click here for the full events calendar.* The Church of the Ascension --------------------------- Every Tuesday evening, the kitchen at The Church of the Ascension when the Ascension Culinary Institute (ACI) welcomes teens and young adults to learn the art of cooking. For three hours, participants dive into hands-on lessons — prepping, sautéing, braising, making sauces, and mastering knife skills. The experience culminates annually in a formal fundraising dinner, where students present a multi-course meal to guests, showcasing their training in a delicious celebration. 📍*W 10th St, 5th Ave, New York, NY 10011* 💒🍽️ *Weekly cooking classes. Click here to learn more and to register.* St. Clement’s ------------- It’s unconventional for a church to embrace the performing arts so greatly into its foundations, but St. Clement’s shows that creativity and tradition have their place in the heart of Hells Kitchen . The church has been the home to groundbreaking Off-Broadway productions since 1962, and has hosted premieres by renowned playwrights including David Mamet , Sam Shepard , and Terrence McNally . Their theater is available to hire for your own productions, or keep an eye out for what performances they have coming up. 📍*423 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036* 💒🎭 *161-seat Off-Broadway theater that has hosted world premieres and legendary productions. Click here for more information.* Marble Collegiate Church ------------------------ Beyond the Gothic façade and luminous stained glass , Marble Collegiate Church hums with activity, from art exhibitions and poetry readings to concerts and even film screenings. Creativity runs through the space, as while their arts programs bring together painters, writers, musicians, and performers, the space hosts Candlelight concerts . Under candlelight, the sanctuary is transformed into a warm, intimate space which honors the natural acoustics of the historic venue, and flickering lights highlight the church’s crafted features — a truly unforgettable atmosphere for classical performances. 📍*1 W 29th St, New York, NY 10001* 💒🕯️👠*Hosts Candlelight concerts, click here to view the upcoming program, and fashion shows.* There you have it, NYC’s churches have more to give than beautiful facades and sermons. Surprised? Come on, it’s New York City — where else would holy ground double as a stage, a gallery, and a concert hall? Source: https://secretnyc.co/nyc-churches-secret-cultural-events/