What to expect on your first visit?

If this is your first time visiting Christ Church Cathedral, or for that matter, any Episcopal Church, we welcome you. You may want to check out the national Episcopal Church's Seekers Center to learn more about worship in the Episcopal Church. We offer this brief description of what you may expect on your first visit to Christ Church Cathedral.

Free Parking

On Sunday mornings, parking is free in the EZ Park Garage. Be sure to bring your garage ticket so that one of our ushers can validate for you. For more information on our parking, click here.

Worship

As you enter the Cathedral, you will likely notice an atmosphere of serenity and reverence. Most Episcopalians try not to talk to one another in church before a service, but instead to use this time for personal meditation and devotions. You may notice that some worshippers bow to the altar on entering and leaving the church as an act of reverence for Christ.

Children are welcome at all Cathedral worship services. We have noticed that young children are most likely to follow the actions of the service if they sit up front where they can see.

The seating at Christ Church Cathedral is not reserved and there is always room for visitors. An usher will give you a printed worship bulletin that will list page numbers in the blue Hymnal and the red Prayer Book. The scripture readings are printed in the bulletin, along with additional service music and psalms.

We customarily stand for the Gospel, sit to hear the other lessons, sermon, and announcements, and stand to sing, and kneel or stand to pray. Members of the congregation will be glad to help you follow along, and you may stand, sit, and kneel with the congregation, as you feel comfortable.

Any Christian who has been baptized is welcome to participate in receiving Holy Communion regardless of age. Visitors who are not baptized Christians are warmly invited to the altar rail to receive a blessing.

Dress

You will notice that the clergy and lay people serving at the altar wear special garments to signify their different ministries of service. The congregation's dress is quite diverse, with people dressed in everything from blue jeans to business suits. We encourage you to wear what's comfortable for you!

When you visit Christ Church Cathedral, you will be our respected and welcome guest. You will neither be singled out in an embarrassing way, asked to stand before the congregation, nor to come forward.