Residents, visitors and tourists will find that Downtown Miami has many places of worship for all faiths where you can fulfill your spiritual needs.
First United Methodist Church of Miami formed the current congregation in 1966 from the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church and White Temple Methodist Episcopal Church. Their combined history dates back to 1896. This congregation has started several new churches in the Miami area and other places including one in China. They do Mission work around the world because of the influence and gifts from the congregation. This church started the first Protestant congregation for Hispanics and Biscayne Manor Retirement Home. The first Hot Meals program held outside a Federal Project began here. Organizations such as the Women’s groups, Men’s groups, Youth groups, the church school and the fine music organizations within the church have been a strong influence in the community and the world. Their Sunday services are held at 8:30 am and are informal with singing by the congregation with no choir and traditional services begin at 11:00am with the choir. Holy Communion is offered on the first Sunday of the month during the service. Prayer and Praise meetings are held every Wednesday at 6:30pm, a healing service the first Wednesday and Holy Communion the third Wednesday of each month.
Gesu Catholic Church is the oldest church in South Florida and is a historic landmark that has been serving the Catholic community for almost 120 years. It remains the spiritual center of downtown Miami. The original wooden church was built on land donated by Henry Flagler, the church as it is today was built in 1921. They have daily masses seven days a week. Masses Monday through Saturday are at 8:15am bilingual, 11:00 am Spanish and 12:10pm English. The Sunday Mass schedule is 8:30am bilingual, 10:00am Spanish, 11:30am English and 1:00pm Spanish. The Saturday vigil for Sunday is at 4:00pm in English. Confessions are from 3:30 to 4:00pm. Invite your family and friends along to a service to find which one best suits your spiritual path.