You might think that the oldest churches in America are all located on the East Coast, where the first European settlers arrived. But you might be surprised to learn that some of the most ancient and beautiful churches in the U.S. are actually scattered across the country, from New Mexico to Massachusetts, and from Florida to California
These churches are not only places of worship, but also monuments of history and culture, that reflect the diversity and richness of the American heritage. In this blog post, let’s walk through the 10 oldest churches in the United States that you must visit in 2025, whether you are a history buff, a culture lover, or a curious traveler.
So let’s get started!
List Of The 10 Oldest Churches In America That You Must Visit In 2025
| Church Name | Location | Built Year | Denomination |
| Cathedral of San Juan Bautista | San Juan, Puerto Rico | 1521–1540 | Catholic |
| San Miguel Mission | Santa Fe, New Mexico | 1610 – 1710 | Catholic |
| San AgustÃn de la Isleta Mission | Isleta, New Mexico | 1613 | Catholic |
| Jamestown Church | Jamestown, Virginia | 1639-1647 | Anglican |
| San Estevan Del Rey Mission Church | Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico | 1649 | Catholic |
| St. Mary’s Whitechapel | Lancaster County, Virginia | 1669 | Episcopal |
| Old Trinity Church | Church Creek, Maryland | 1671–1950 | Episcopal |
| Old Ship Church | Hingham, Massachusetts | 1681–1960 | Previously Puritan, Congregational.Now Unitarian Universalist |
| Third Haven Meeting House | Easton, Maryland | 1681–1684 | Quakerism |
| St. Luke’s Church | Isle of Wight County, Virginia | 1632–1682 | Previously Anglican, Episcopal. Non-denominational (no congregation now) |
1. Cathedral of San Juan Bautista:
- Built Year: 1521 – 1540
- Located: San Juan, Puerto Rico
The Cathedral of San Juan Bautista is the first church in America and is also the oldest church building in the US. The church building was initially constructed using straw from wood, which was later destroyed by a hurricane. Later, by 1529, the building was reconstructed using stone.
The interior of the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista displays the tomb of a Spanish explorer–Ponce de Leon, who founded the first settlement in Puerto Rico and was named the island’s first governor in 1509. The remains of St. Pio, a Roman martyr, have also been displayed in a glass box since 1862.
2. San Miguel Mission:
- Built Year: 1610 – 1710
- Located: Santa Fe, New Mexico
San Miguel Mission is the oldest church in the US continent that was constructed by Tlaxcalan Indians. The church has undergone several renovations over the centuries but still retains parts of its original adobe structure. The church was initially led by a small group of Spanish soldiers, laborers, and Tlaxcalan Indians. It served as a place of worship for Spanish settlers and remains an active historical site today, showcasing beautiful Spanish colonial architecture and religious artifacts.
3. San AgustÃn de la Isleta Mission
- Built Year: 1613
- Located: Isleta, New Mexico
San AgustÃn de la Isleta Mission, founded by Spanish Franciscan missionaries in 1613, was built to spread Christianity among Native Americans. Located near the RÃo Grande, it was destroyed during the Pueblo Revolt (1680) but rebuilt in 1710 under Father Juan de la Peña. Likely standing on its original foundations, it is considered one of the oldest functioning churches in North America.
4. Jamestown Church:
- Built Year: 1639-1647
- Located: Jamestown, Virginia
Jamestown Church, built by Europeans in the original thirteen colonies, is one of the oldest surviving building remnants. Built inside a fort in 1607, the church was destroyed by fire. The building was re-built and destroyed two more times after which a permanent structure was constructed using bricks.
In 1619, the church was held as the meeting place of the first representative legislative assembly in British North America.
5. San Estevan del Rey Mission:
- Built Year: 1649
- Located: Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico
The San Estevan del Rey Mission Church recognized as the oldest Catholic church in the US, was built by Franciscan monks as a way to control people at Acoma Pueblo and to convert the indigenous people to Christianity. The construction of the church was a 12-year project and was built 150 feet long and 40 feet wide. The materials used for construction were the same adobe bricks that were used on the rest of the Acoma Pueblo’s structures. The roof was made using wooden beams called ‘vigas’.
6. St. Mary’s Whitechapel:
- Built Year: 1669
- Located: Lancaster, Virginia
Named after Whitechapel parish in the East End of London, the church is considered as the birthplace of Mary Ball Washington, mother of George Washington. St. Mary’s Whitechapel was built by James Jones, the grandfather of President James Monroe. The building was built in a simple elegant style resembling the churches of the colonial era in the seventeenth century. The Anglican Church became dormant and was closed for 30 years after which it was re-established in 1832.
7. Old Trinity Church:
- Built Year: 1671–1950
- Located: Church Creek, Maryland
Old Trinity Church is an oldest church in USA and the longest-running Episcopal congregation in the US. The church was restored to its original colonial style and has been furnished as per orders given by Queen Ann in 1703. Old Trinity Church has an active burial ground that holds the remains of Anna Ella Carroll (silent member of Abraham Lincoln’s cabinet), and veterans of every American War. The building is built of red bricks and is of a very small size of 38 feet length and 20 feet in width with its windows fashioned with pointed arches.
8. Old Ship Church:
- Built Year: 1681–1960
- Located: Hingham, Massachusetts
The Old Ship Church, also called the Old Ship Meetinghouse, is the only remaining 17th-century Puritan meetinghouse still standing among America’s oldest churches. Its most striking feature is the hammer-beam roof, an open timber structure reminiscent of Gothic architecture, similar to the famous Westminster Hall. The roof’s design resembles an inverted ship’s frame, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship from the colonial era. An extensive restoration work has been done to preserve the building that now serves as a Unitarian Universalist congregation.
9. Third Haven Meeting House:
- Built Year: 1681–1684
- Located: Easton, Maryland
Third Haven Meeting House is considered as the oldest surviving Quaker church and Friends meetinghouse. This one of the oldest churches in America had its members build the meetinghouse on three acres of land in two years. In 1684, the first meeting was held at the newly built structure. George Fox was the founder of the Friends Society and sent various books to the meeting, eventually establishing the first public library in Talbot County. Today, this faith is known as Quakerism, distinguished by its strong emphasis on both spiritual insight and social responsibility.
10. St. Luke’s Church:
- Built Year: 1632–1682
- Located: Isle of Wight County, Virginia
St. Luke’s Church, an Anglican church, is also known as Old Brick Church or Newport Parish Church and is among the oldest churches in America, specifically the oldest church in Virginia. The architectural structure of the building is considered an example of 17th-century Artisan Mannerism. Its exterior structure is built using bricks featuring elements of Romanesque, Gothic, and Jacobean designs. Currently, the church operates as a museum and holds community preservation workshops.
Expert Analysis Of The Oldest Churches In America
| Christianity’s Arrival in America | Christianity spread through Spanish, French, and British colonization. Spanish missions in the Southwest and Puerto Rico aimed to convert Native Americans, while British churches on the East Coast served settlers. |
| Construction Methods | Early Spanish churches used adobe for insulation and durability, while British churches used brick or wood, reflecting European designs. |
| Historical Artifacts & Significance | Churches contain relics like Ponce de León’s tomb (San Juan Bautista), St. Pio’s remains (San Juan), and Queen Anne-ordered furnishings (Old Trinity Church). Many of the oldest churches have active burial grounds of notable figures. |
| Gothic & European Architectural Influence | Old Ship Church has a hammer-beam roof, while St. Luke’s blends Romanesque, Gothic, and Jacobean styles. Many British churches used red brick and arched windows in colonial Anglican designs. |
| Religious & Cultural Evolution | Some churches have changed denominations over time, like Old Ship Church, which went from Puritan to Unitarian Universalist. While others now serve as museums. |
FAQs
- Which is the oldest church in North America?
Answer: The Cathedral of San Juan Bautista in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is the oldest church in North America, with its construction dating back to 1521.
- Which is the Oldest Native American church?
Answer: The Old Indian Meeting House in Mashpee, Massachusetts, built in 1684, is the oldest Native American church in the eastern United States. It has served the Wampanoag people for centuries and falls under the Native American Congregational denomination.
- What is the oldest continuously used church in the United States?
Answer: The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine is the oldest continuously used church in the United States. Established on September 8, 1565, as San Agustin de La Florida by Spanish conqueror Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles, it holds parish records dating back to 1594, which are preserved in the Archives of the Diocese of St. Augustine.
- Which is the oldest Protestant church in America?
Answer: The Old Church Tower in Jamestown, Virginia, is considered America’s first Protestant church. Built by the first English colonists in 1607, it is part of the historic Jamestown settlement, the first permanent English colony in North America.
Also Read: 8 Efficient Church Fundraising Avenues
