Although the primary religion of Mexico is Catholicism (89%), it’s amazing how many other churches, religious and spiritual assemblies are available in the Lake Chapala area to serve both the gringo and Mexican populations. This is a major draw to the Lakeside area for folks whose lives north of the border are enhanced by their religious communities.

Most church groups here have an extended social life besides their services. They sponsor potlucks, yard sales, lectures, entertainment venues and other celebrations. If you can’t find your church here, you might try Guadalajara which is only an hour’s drive away.

My thanks go to Focus on Mexico for providing a current list of churches and religious venues in the Lake Chapala area:

Abundant Life Assembly of God
140 Carretera Chapala-Jocotepec, San Antonio
phone: 01 (387) 766-5615 / (376) 766-3173
All Saints Lutheran Church Worship
Service 11:00 a.m.
4600 Avenida Tepeyac, Guad.
(01-333) 121-6741

Center for Spiritual Living Celebration Service
5:00 p.m. Friday
Nicolas Bravo #17, Ajijic
(376) 766-0920
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Services in English and Spanish
10:00 a.m.
Riberas del Pilar
(376) 765-7067
Church of the Holy Spirit
Services Sunday 10:00 a.m.
Albaro Obregon #119, Chapala
(376) 765-4210

Grace Baptist Church 5th
Sunday Evening service – 6:00 p.m.
Pedro Buzeta No. 970, Guadalajara
(013) 641-1685

Lake Chapala Baptist Church
The People’s Church
Mid-Weed service, 9:30 a.m.
Worship service, 10:45 a.m.
Midweek Bible Study Wednesday 10 a.m.
Sunday School 10 /Worship Sunday 11
#147 Sta. Margarita, Riberas del Pilar
(376) 765-2925
Lake Chapala-Ajijic Jewish Congregation
Sta. Margarita #113, Riberas del Pilar
Diverse community serving Lakeside
Weekly Sabbath evening, morning services & Torah Study
(376) 765-6968
Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Sta. Margarita #113 (SW corner  of  Santa Clara)
Riberas del Pilar.Sunday Service 10:30 a.m.
(376) 766-1119
Little Chapel by the Lake: Non-Denominational
Chula Vista, East of the Fire Station
Worship Service: Sunday, 11 a.m. (387)761-0440
Lakeside Fellowship
Sun worship 11:00 a.m.
Javier Mina #49, Ajijic
(376) 766-0795
Lakeside Presbyterian Church

Worship – Sunday 10:00 a.m.
Bible Study – Friday 10:00 a.m.
Hidalgo 231A, Carr. Chapapa/Joco, Riberas del Pilar
(376) 766-1238, or (376) 766-0616

Open Circle
Sunday, 10:00-11:30 a.m. In the back patio of the Lake Chapala Society
Coffee and sandwiches from 10:00-10:30 a.m.
Non-religious, spiritual group with speakers
discussing topics on mind, body and spirit.

San Andres Catholic Church
Parroquia & M. Castellanos, Ajijic
English Mass Sunday 9 am
(376) 766-5233

St. Andrew’s Anglican Church
Holy Eucharist Sundays 10
San Lucas #19, Riberas del Pilar
Church: (376) 765-3926/Rectory: (376) 766-2665
Open from 9 – 12 daily

Seventh Day Adventist
Maderia #12 Rancho del Oro
Meeting: 9:15a.m. – 12:00 noon
Potluck after meeting

During hundreds of interviews, many expats have told me that they found instant communities through their churches.  Most find those communities through their neighborhoods, hobbies, interests and volunteer work. Still others find them in the several 12-step program groups which meet regularly at Lakeside.

What a trip! Three hundred expats and a handful of Mexicans from the community turned up at the Lake Chapala Society in Ajijic for the 45^th anniversary of Woodstock. Who knew there were still so many tie-dyed clothes in the depths of our closets.

A local band belted out sounds from 1969 with renditions from The Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, Santana, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Janis Joplin among others.

Attendees enjoyed hamburgers and hot dogs, along with potato salad and cole slaw. Santo Cayote, an upscale Guadalajara restaurant provided mango margaritas and guests received complimentary magic brownies along with an opportunity to purchase wine, beer, soft drinks or Electric Kool-Aid.

The majority of the participants got into the spirit with wigs, gaudy jewelry, real and fake tattoos and outlandish tie-dyed costumes. Dancing lasted until early evening. Alas, no marijuana, bras or naked people were discovered during or after the party.

The Lake Chapala Society is believed to be unique in the world. Located only a block from the lake in Ajijic, it is a non-profit organization focused on promoting the exchange of education, heritage, and talents among the expat and Mexican communities. In addition, it contributes to the social enrichment and health of both its members and the Lakeside community.

Today, there are almost 3,000 LCS members from countries around the world, although most are from the United States and Canada. For nearly 60 years, the society has been helping both newcomers and old-timers—both full and part-time—to have a more enjoyable, healthy and stress-free life here at Lakeside.

The Society also assists the local Mexican community through English, computer and art classes. Through its fund-raising efforts, it offers an ongoing student aid program for bright Mexican college students who could not otherwise afford to continue their education. It houses what is believed to be the largest English library outside of English-speaking countries as well video and talking book libraries. There is also a Spanish library off-site at the Wilkes Center. The society is open six days a week from 10 to 2 p.m. and is staffed primarily by volunteers.

The present 1-1/2 acre site of the Lake Chapala Society was deeded in 1988 by Neill James in exchange for LCS caring for her during her remaining years. During the many succeeding administrations, the grounds have been meticulously landscaped, buildings have been updated and the Society can now handle groups as small as two and as large as several hundred.

The Lake Chapala Society monthly calendar (visit the site at www.lakechapalasociety.com) promotes the following categories of activities:

• Health Services
• Educational Services
• Insurance and Legal Services
• Fun and Games
• Exercise Activities
• Tickets and Sales
• Information Desk
• Service, Social and Support Groups

A quick scan through the calendar uncovers such diverse educational, health and social opportunities as:

• Line Dancing
• Yoga and Tai chi
• 12-Step Programs
• TED Learning Seminars
• Bridge, Mah Jong and Scrabble
• Classes for iPad, Windows 8.1 and Android
• Eye and ear testing
• Skin cancer screening and blood pressure testing

Various community leaders and specialists hold seminars of vital information to the community at the society, and as you saw earlier in the article, there are myriad fund raisers and social opportunities during the year celebrating various holidays and events.

On the main patio, a small coffee shop serves a limited selection of beverage and food items where members can sit outside and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

The Lake Chapala Society is considered the hub of expat and information activities and is extremely helpful in helping new residents become oriented. Be sure to visit it the next time you are here.