St Stephen Presbyterian Church in Fort Worth

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comments 5

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  Vann Campbell

  :: 03 January 2018 19:54:56

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  Corrie Hermans

  :: 19 January 2017 14:21:26

  Beautiful church! I attended a wedding here that was just lovely. Reception in the fellowship hall even!

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  George McGown

  :: 27 December 2016 11:54:49

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  Shane Webb

  :: 03 August 2016 12:27:13

  Beautiful church both the people and the building!

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  Steadman Uhlich

  :: 04 June 2013 12:04:14

  This review is by a church visitor (not a member) who visited this church for 8 services while I visited Fort Worth (I am traveling across the USA). This church must be seen INSIDE during a Sunday service to be understood. It is a grand structure, built in a Tudor Gothic style of cut limestone with a very high 150ft bell tower that must be seen from INSIDE to appreciate its atmosphere of an impressive "House of God." This is a church with classic "cathedral" styling with colorful stained glass windows made in France, high ceilings, colorful banners, and a grand and impressive organ. Each window has Christian symbolism. So this church has a strong and visible orientation to the history of the Reformed Protestant Christian Church. While this church seems visibly "traditional" there is something else that is more progressive and is emphasized by the pastor each service. This has to be seen in a service. The services are "Intentionally Inclusive" meaning that people are welcomed regardless of sexual orientation or other things that other churches use to exclude people. And, I met several women Elders in this church and they even have visiting women ministers and theologians. The senior pastor (Reverend Fritz, 54 years old) is an eloquent speaker, forward thinking, and compassionate. I have heard several noteworthy sermons from him that I truly enjoyed hearing. I am a visitor, but I got a very nice and warm welcome from everyone I met at this church. That says a lot about the people. I noticed that the people attending the two morning services wore a mixture of formal (dresses, suits) and casual clothing (e.g. jeans), as both styles are accepted. There are two services on Sunday, with the early service 8:30AM held in a side transept with the Lord's Supper served in communion every Sunday. There is a fellowship (open to all) breakfast (informal) between the morning services. The later 11:00AM service is held in the full church. It usually features a procession of the choir and church leaders bringing in the Gospel, with great respect for The Gospel. This Presbyterian church has a "High Church" style of worship that will be familiar to some visitors from other denominations (e.g. Episcopal), and may be unfamiliar to others. What is most important? It is one of the few churches I have visited that has brought me to literal tears as I observed the service! It also made me appreciate a type of service (High Church style) with which I had little previous experience. Grand things can be intimidating at first. While on the outside of the church before my first visit, I wondered if I would be accepted at this church, due to its surface appearance of traditionalism and elegance. Would I be avoided because I did not have on elegant clothing or "Sunday Suit" with me (as I am traveling). For my first visit, I went in wearing jeans and a shirt and I currently have long hair and a beard. I was warmly welcomed then, and have been ever since! In my view, that is a very good sign! One last thing I noticed is that this church has an "open place" for people to help others (e.g. they help the homeless), or when they feel moved to help a church, so if you are looking for a "good spiritual home" where you can contribute with your skills, time, and Christian service, this would be a good place to visit, as I expect you would feel as welcomed and appreciated, as I did. It is an interesting and good feeling, to visit a grand impressive Gothic Cathedral style church that is at first somewhat intimidating (due to size and formal styling of the building), and yet feel "at home and welcomed" from the very start, and then every week thereafter! In sum, I enjoyed my experience there, always felt welcomed, and was renewed in my spirit. I think that is a good sign for any church! Finally, I recommend anyone should visit this church and attend a service, to see for themselves how these people honor and worship God.