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There is a large population of English-spoken expats in Costa Rica looking for English-language churches and religious services.
I was born and raised a Catholic and I believe in God, though I stopped going to church many years ago. But I learned to respect the beliefs of everyone else. So if you’re a Mormon, a Jehova Witness, a Jew, a Hare Krishna, a Muslim, or a Christian, we will get along as long as you don’t try to convert me. Ask any of my clients.
But you, my reader, might want to go to church, so I decided to do a blog about English language churches and religious services.
Now is the time to think about your future plans and if you believe in God or something else, this country has a lot to offer. If your religion and going to church are important to your lifestyle, you will want to find out where your church is located, before you buy your new home or farm in Costa Rica. Imagine you’ve bought the house of your dreams and then learn that your church is 5 hours away!
You will find that we do not only have Spanish but also English language churches and religious services to go to.
Freedom of Religion
The official religion in Costa Rica is Catholic, so you will find Catholic churches everywhere. Article 75 of the constitution states that the “Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman Religion is the official religion of the Republic” and that same article provides for freedom of religion. When I moved here, the Catholic churches were so full, latecomers would have to stand outside. Now, there are Mega churches everywhere, but they’re Christian churches. Vida Abundante, Centro Evangelístico de Zapote; Oasis de Esperanza, and Centro Mundial de Adoraciónare a few. And the Catholic churches are half-empty.
The official language of the country is Spanish, therefore the religious services are in Spanish everywhere. If you are looking for a Catholic church, just go to the nearest park and you will find a Catholic church usually on the east side of the church.
If you are an Evangelical, Mormon, Buddhist, Jewish, Islam, or have any other religion, you will enjoy the freedom of religion in this beautiful country. That freedom of religion has created hundreds of churches and no matter which God you worship; there is probably a church for him.
For some of you, religion is an important part of your lifestyle and is not something you just pack and bring with you when you move here. There are quite some English language churches and religious services for English-speaking people here. So I’ve researched English language churches and religious services, so you have ’em all together.
The International Baptist Church [Image courtesy of https://www.ibccostarica.org/]
English Spoken Religious Services
- Catholic – Saint Mary’s Chapel in Cariari
- International Baptist Church
- Escazu Christian Fellowship.
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Jabad Lubavitch de Jewish center
- Guadalupe Missionary Baptist Church
- Unity Piedades de Santa Ana
- Quakers – Monteverde Friends Meeting
- The Christian and Missionary Alliance
- Tamarindo Beach church
- Nuevo Arenal church
- Hope fellowship church, Playas del Coco – Guanacaste
- Pura Vida Church, Esterillos Oeste
- La Union Church, Moravia
- Horizon Church, Jaco
The San Jose Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [Image from https://www.lds.org]
Other churches without a website
- Manuel Antonio Beach Church, You are invited to join us for a Worship Service at 9am Sundays. Located on the beach in Manuel Antonio, 8511-8572 and InternationalBeachChurch@gmail.com – Facebook
- B’nei Israel, progressive Judaism – Facebook.
- San Pedro Christian Fellowship, (East side San Jose) – Facebook.
- Beach Community Church, Brasilito – Facebook
- Sol de Justicia, Grecia – Facebook
- Celebration Church, Playa Hermosa – Guanacaste – Facebook
- Harvest Vineyard Christian Fellowship of San Jose – Facebook
- Iglesia Remanente Fiel, there’s a church service on the last Friday of the month in Barranca, Puntarenas all approximately 15 minutes from Esparza and Caldera and the Puntarenas port. Contact iglesiaRFCostaRica@gmail.com or WhatsApp at +1-262-661-6132. There is a different preacher in every service. The service begins at 6:30 pm on the last Friday of the month and it is an hour long. Praise songs with words on the screen, testimonies, a sound Biblical message, and the occasional “compartir” with food. All are welcome!
- The English-speaking La Luz Lodge No.3, Freemasons, meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at the Grand Lodge in San José opposite the AM PM supermarket on Avenida Central at Calle 19. Also, for information: Gunner Nuñez, 8387-3903, Howard Smith, 2529-3169 or John Goodman, 2285-5231
- Episcopal Church. The Parish of the Good Shepherd in San José, an Episcopal/Anglican community, celebrates Sunday Eucharist in English at 8:30 a.m. and in Spanish at 11 a.m. There is a bilingual Eucharist service on the first Sunday of the month at 9 a.m. There also is a Eucharist service Wednesday at 9 a.m. and Friday at noon. For further information pbuenpastor@hotmail.com or by calling 2222-1560. Now on Facebook.
- Comunidad de Gracia, an English-speaking church/bible study in Orosi. Also, for more information, contact Randy Seiver at 2533-1803 or see their blog.
The Zionist Israeli Center [Image courtesy of http://jewishway.com]
Feel free to contact us if you know of any other English language churches and religious services so we can include them on our list.
Image used: Prayer For Serenity – Enthusiasm@pngkey.com
