Issues of faith, religion, and spirituality in Kalamazoo, Michigan are the focus of topics in this portion of our guide.
For the most part, this will be represented by links to various places of worship and religious ministries in Kalamazoo, and most of these will be Christian churches, since Christianity is the predominant religion in the city.
According to a recent survey, residents of Kalamazoo are slightly less religious than those in the average Michigan community, and considerably less religious than in the typical US locality. While 41.9% of Michigan residents and 49.4% of United States participants cited an affiliation with a particular religion, only 38.7% of respondents in Kalamazoo identified themselves as being religious.
Of these, the majority of Kalamazooians cited an affiliation with a Protestant denomination or non-denominational Protestant church that wasn't included in the survey, but these were divided among a variety of denominations and churches. The most common identified religion or denomination were made up of the Catholics, who were followed closely by the Presbyterians, and distantly by the Methodists, Baptists, Lutherans, Pentecostals, Mormons, and Episcopalians, but those who identified with Islam, Judaism, or various Eastern religions were also represented, albeit by smaller numbers.
Online resources representing any ministries or places of worship in Kalamazoo are appropriate for this category, regardless of the particular religion or denomination.
Other topics associated with faith, religion, or spirituality in Kalamazoo may also be found here. In Christianity, faith denotes a belief and trust in God, as revealed in Jesus Christ, and is the means to salvation and eternal life. In other religions or contexts, the definition may differ.
There are several religions in the world, but those primarily represented in Kalamazoo include Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism.
Spirituality is more difficult to define because the definitions have evolved considerably over the years, and they tend to differ in accordance with the religious perspective or context. Historically, varieties of spiritualities have been related to different religious traditions, largely taking shape through rituals and practices. In the context of Christianity, spirituality is represented by living the Christian life.
Recommended Resources
The non-denominational, independent Christian church was organized in 1929, and affiliated with the Independent Fundamental Churches of America (IFCA). Featured are a statement of beliefs, an introduction for those who will be attending for the first time, and its leadership and staff. Its ministries to children, students, adults, and the community are featured and sermon series may be viewed in its archive or on its podcast channel. Contributions to the church may be made online.
https://calvarybible.org/
Associated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ) and the Jewish Federation of Kalamazoo and Southwest Michigan, the 130-year-old synagogue has occupied its current site since 1961, where it strives to serve the spiritual, social, and educational needs of its members. Service schedules, educational programs, and a calendar of events are posted on the site, along with an overview of the congregation, its library and financial resources, and contact information.
https://www.congregationofmoses.org/
Devoted to the practice and study of teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, who was a Buddhist meditation master and holder of both the Kagyu and Nyingma lineages of Tibetan Buddhism, the eleventh Trungpa tulku, a terton, supreme abbot of the Surmang monasteries, scholar, teacher, poet, and artist. Focused on mindfulness-awareness medication, program schedules are published on the site, and a summary of meditation instruction may be downloaded in PDF format, along with audio talks.
http://dharmadhatu-kazoo.com/
First Baptist Church of Kalamazoo
Housed in the oldest public building in Kalamazoo, the First Baptist Church is situated on the corner of West Michigan and Church Street. Organized in 1836, its current building was built in 1853, and modified in 1871, while a four-story facility with a basement was added in 1931. Service schedules and a calendar of events are posted on the site, along with its address, telephone and fax numbers, and office hours. Its history, leadership staff, fellowship activities, and missions are outlined.
https://www.fbckazoo.org/
The congregation meets at its facilities on North 26th Street in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Its core beliefs, Sunday service schedules, and an overview of what to expect when attending for the first time, including its ministries to children and youth, are outlined. Sermons may also be viewed through live streaming video, recorded video, or podcasts. Other video content is also available. Office hours, contacts, and a contact form are available, and contributions may be made online or by mail.
http://www.mykcc.org/
Kalamazoo First Presbyterian Church
Formed in 1838, the congregation began in a schoolhouse, and met in several places over the years before moving into its current church, the fourth built, in 1930. Its pastoral and leadership staff are introduced, and its location, worship schedules, and a calendar of events are published on the site, along with its faith formation, stewardship, and outreach programs. Other resources include a bi-monthly subscribable newsletter, announcements, policies, forms, and job opportunities.
http://kzoofirstpres.org/
KIC is located on West Michigan Avenue in Kalamazoo, Michigan, between Chicago and Detroit, and serving the wider Muslim community, including those attending Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo College. The congregation assists Muslims in living an Islamic way of life and provides services to nurture their well-being, including establishing the five prayers, recognizing Islamic Holy Days, caring for the needy, offering classes and Islamic education, and maintaining a library.
https://kalamazooislamiccenter.com/
Affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Church, the Kalamazoo, Michigan congregation has offered a liberal religious tradition for more than a hundred and fifty years, since its founding in 1855, originally known as the Union Congregational Society of Kalamazoo, then the First Unitarian Society. Its history, organizational structure, location, contacts, and office hours are noted, along with service schedules, a calendar of events, and educational and religious programs.
http://peopleschurch.net/
Located on Charlotte Avenue, the Kalamazoo, Michigan Catholic Church is highlighted, including Mass times, Confession times, bulletins, and inserts. Contributions may be made through the site, which also includes a calendar of events, photo albums, a sermon archive, common prayers, and other resources that may be downloaded from the site, including 1962 Latin Mass resources. Its discipleship development, youth ministries, catechesis, and Trail Life program are included.
https://www.stmarykazoo.org/
Organized by twenty Jewish families in 1865, the congregation purchased a house in 1873, and erected a temple and school building on the lot, using the house as the rabbi's residence. A founding member of the Union for Reform Judaism, its location, mailing address, contacts, social media, and membership policies are set forth, along with its history, projects, and religious school. An introduction to the rabbi is projected, sermons are posted, and its community outreach programs are outlined.
https://templebnaiisrael.com/
