Gospel Mass in Harlem: 9 best churches

If you want to experience a different kind of day in New York and soak up the cultural diversity, there's no better plan than heading to Harlem and attending a gospel mass. There are numerous Baptist churches where you can enjoy this spectacular and authentic experience. You can visit some of the best churches at your own pace or sign up for a tour of Harlem with a gospel mass and let a guide take you to the key spots in the neighbourhood.

Abbyssinian Baptist Church is the most popular church. It holds a gospel mass on Sundays that is not included in any tour, but is open to tourists who wish to attend.

The mass lasts approximately two and a half hours and no one should leave until it is over, as this is frowned upon. To attend this service, tourists should go to the entrance located at the southeast corner of West 138th Street and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd. at 9:30 a.m. Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on availability. It is advisable to arrive early as there is usually a queue.

Group seating can be requested for groups of 10 or more people, but you must contact the church at least two weeks in advance by calling 212-862-7474 ext. 216 or by emailing [email protected]. Another option to enjoy this spectacle is to book a tour of Harlem with a gospel mass.

Useful information

• Address: 132 W 138th Street.
• Day and time of mass: Sunday at 10 a.m.
• How to get there: Take the 2 or 3 subway line to Harlem-125th Street.

Bethel Gospel Assembly, along with Abbyssinian Baptist Church, is another well-known option for enjoying a spectacular gospel mass.

This church is unique in that Sunday mass is celebrated in both English and French. The French service is at 9 a.m. and the English service is at 10:15 a.m.

During the service, you can take photos and videos, which is something few churches allow. However, remember that you can also book a tour of Harlem that includes a gospel service.

Useful information

• Address: 130W 116th Street.
• Mass times: Sundays at 9 a.m. and 10:15 a.m., and Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
• How to get there: Take the 2 or 3 subway line to Harlem-125th Street.

Convent Avenue Baptist Church is another option to consider when deciding to attend a gospel mass in Harlem.

This church is off the beaten tourist track, so you won't have the opportunity to see it if you book a tour of Harlem with gospel mass. It is located in the heart of Harlem. Tourists are seated in the upper gallery and have a spectacular view of the mass.

Useful information

• Address: 420 W 145th Street.
• Day and time of the service: Sunday.
• How to get there: Take the 2 or 3 subway line to Harlem-125th Street.

First Corinthian Baptist Church is another favourite among tourists. Regular parishioners mix with tourists at this church, allowing you to enjoy a more authentic and fully integrated experience.

Useful information

• Address: 1912 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd.
• Mass times: Sunday at 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
• How to get there: Take the 2 or 3 subway line to Harlem-116th Street.

Greater Refuge Temple is also a good option for enjoying a gospel mass. The mass is longer, lasting around three hours. It is a real spectacle that you can also enjoy via streaming, as it has a live broadcast section on its website. What are you waiting for?

Useful information

• Address: 2081 Adam Clayton Power Jr. Blvd (7th Avenue).
• Day and time of the service: Sunday at 11 a.m.
• How to get there: Take the 2 or 3 subway line to Harlem-116th Street.

White Rock Baptist Church is a less touristy church, which is a good thing because gospel services tend to be quite crowded. However, it is not as spectacular as the ones mentioned above because they sing for less time.

Useful information

• Address: 152 W 127th Street.
• Mass times: Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
• How to get there: Take the 2 or 3 subway line to Harlem-125th Street.

Memorial Baptist Church, like many other churches, does not allow cameras, but you can even see this as a positive thing, allowing you to enjoy the religious spectacle with all your senses.

Useful information

• Address: 141 W 115th Street.
• Mass times: Sundays at 11 a.m.
• How to get there: Take the 2 or 3 subway line to Harlem-116th Street.

At Antioch Church, they do make a distinction between locals and tourists, but despite this, you can still enjoy a real gospel experience in a vibrant atmosphere.

Useful information

• Address: 515 W 125th Street.
• Mass times: Sundays at 10:30 a.m.
• How to get there: Take the 2 or 3 subway line to Harlem-116th Street.

Canaan Baptist Church also welcomes tourists during its gospel services. In this case, you will sit in the balconies while the congregation is down below, but you will still be able to feel all their enthusiasm.

Useful information

• Address: 132 W 116th Street.
• Day and time of service: Sunday at 10 a.m.
• How to get there: Take the 2 or 3 subway line to Harlem-116th Street.

There are two ways to attend a gospel mass in Harlem: on your own or by booking a tour of Harlem with gospel mass. Personally, I prefer the second option because, before attending mass, you can explore the Harlem neighbourhood with a guide who will tell you interesting facts about the area's history. By immersing yourself in the context and getting to know the surroundings, you can enjoy the experience inside the church and everything that surrounds it much more.

Regardless of which option you choose, you should know that most gospel services take place on Sundays (with some exceptions on Wednesdays). So keep this in mind when going on your own and planning your trip. If you opt for a guided tour, these are the options I recommend:

• Harlem tour with gospel mass on Sunday: the advantage of going on this day is that you will find a livelier atmosphere than on Wednesdays.
• Harlem tour with gospel mass on Wednesday: in this case, the atmosphere may be quieter, but private transport from New York to Harlem is included.
• You can also book a Sunday gospel mass with a Harlem tour, where a guide will take you to places of interest related to gospel, such as the Apollo Theatre or Sugar Hill.

And if you want to enjoy a gospel mass outside Harlem, you can go to The Brooklyn Tabernacle in Brooklyn. Specifically, at 17 Smith Street. Mass is held on Sundays at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and lasts approximately an hour and a half.

The Brooklyn Tabernacle is not as touristy as the churches in Harlem. In fact, it looks more like a theatre and the choir has about 150 people who sing for about 45 minutes. It's spectacular!

Another option for enjoying a gospel mass outside Harlem is Times Square Church, which is located in an old theatre and is also truly spectacular.

Traveller's tip

We recommend that you visit a gospel mass through a tour or arrive 30-40 minutes in advance so that you don't miss out.

Although each of the churches mentioned has a series of specific recommendations, in general there are a number of points you should bear in mind to ensure you have all the details on how to attend a gospel mass in Harlem. Here is a brief summary:

• You should arrive before the service begins.
• It is advisable to remain in the church until the end of the service.
• Tourists should not wear sleeveless shirts, flip-flops, shorts or leggings.
• Women and men must enter with their shoulders covered.
• No backpacks are allowed.
• Unless we have said otherwise, photos and recordings are not allowed.
• A donation is usually requested from all attendees.

How to get to Harlem

The easiest way to get to a gospel mass is by tube. The line that passes through Harlem is line 2, and the closest stops to the churches mentioned are Harlem-125th Street and Harlem 116th Street.

And if, once this experience is over, you want to continue enjoying new experiences, check out the post on the 10 best tours of New York in Spanish. You can even stay in Harlem and continue enjoying all its history and African-American culture.