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.