Finding Spiritual Solace: Places of Worship
The Washington, DC metro area is one of the most religiously diverse regions in the United States. Congregations representing nearly every major world faith are active throughout the area, and the concentration of national headquarters, cathedrals, and interfaith organizations reflects DC's status as a global capital.
Major Faith Communities Near Chevy Chase
Christian Denominations
- Washington National Cathedral (Episcopal): One of the largest cathedrals in the world, 10 minutes south of Chevy Chase in Washington, DC
- Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (Catholic): Largest Catholic church in North America
- All Saints Episcopal Church (Chevy Chase)
- Chevy Chase United Methodist Church
- Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church
- Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church (Bethesda)
- St. John's Episcopal Church (Chevy Chase Parish, one of the oldest in Maryland)
- Our Lady of Lourdes and Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament (Catholic, Chevy Chase DC)
- St. Mark Presbyterian Church (Rockville)
- Fourth Presbyterian Church (Bethesda)
- Christian Science, Quaker, Eastern Orthodox, and evangelical congregations throughout the area
Jewish Community
The DC region has one of the most active Jewish communities on the East Coast, with more than 25 synagogues across Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Rockville, and DC.
- Ohr Kodesh Congregation (Chevy Chase, Conservative)
- Adas Israel Congregation (DC, Conservative)
- Washington Hebrew Congregation (Reform, one of the nation's largest Reform congregations)
- Temple Sinai (DC, Reform)
- Temple Shalom (Chevy Chase, Reform)
- B'nai Tzedek (Potomac, Conservative)
- Bethesda Jewish Congregation (Reconstructionist)
- Beth Sholom Congregation (Potomac, Orthodox)
- Kemp Mill Synagogue (Silver Spring, Orthodox)
Islamic Community
- Islamic Center of Washington (DC, historic mosque on Massachusetts Avenue)
- Diyanet Center of America (Lanham, MD; large Turkish Islamic cultural center)
- Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center (Falls Church, VA)
- Islamic Center of Maryland (Gaithersburg)
- ADAMS Center (All Dulles Area Muslim Society, Sterling, VA)
Hindu, Buddhist, and Other Traditions
- Durga Temple (Fairfax Station, VA)
- Rajdhani Mandir (Chantilly, VA)
- Sri Siva Vishnu Temple (Lanham, MD)
- Kadampa Meditation Center Washington DC
- Insight Meditation Community of Washington
- Washington Buddhist Vihara (DC)
- Gurdwara Sahib DC (Silver Spring)
Interfaith and Ecumenical Resources
- Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Washington: Multi-faith advocacy and dialogue organization
- InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington
- Washington Theological Consortium: Academic collaboration across major DC-area seminaries
- Catholic University of America, Wesley Theological Seminary, Virginia Theological Seminary, Howard Divinity School all provide academic religious resources
Religious Education
- Numerous faith-based schools across denominations (covered in more detail in the Education section)
- Active Hebrew schools, Sunday schools, and religious education programs at most major congregations
- Strong network of faith-based early childhood education options
