National Back to Church Sunday

National Back to Church Sunday is designed to welcome people back to a church they haven’t attended in a long time. It’s an excellent opportunity to reconnect with your faith community or experience a church for the first time. The holiday is celebrated every third Sunday in September.

History

National Back to Church Sunday was first held in 2009. An official website was created for the event, and every year more churches join in—now more than 31,000 participate. The main goal is to encourage people to attend church, regardless of whether they have been before or are visiting for the first time.

The tradition of church buildings began during the reign of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, who lived in the early 300s AD. At that time, Christianity was just beginning to spread around the world, and Constantine was the first ruler to officially adopt and promote the faith.

In the modern era, Christianity is divided into two main branches. This division occurred on July 17, 1054, in what is known as the Great Schism. During negotiations in Constantinople, an agreement was not reached, resulting in the split into Western (Catholicism) and Eastern (Orthodoxy) Christianity.

Interesting Facts

• In the United States, there are not only churches for people—there is even a church for dogs. At the entrance is a sign that reads: “All religions, all breeds, and no dogmas.”
• President Nelson announced the creation of 69 new churches in just three years.

How to Take Part

Visit a church on this day and participate in the service. Encourage others to join by sharing information about the holiday and inviting friends and family. Spread awareness on social media. Consider becoming a regular churchgoer or support your local church through charitable activities.

When is National Back to Church Sunday in 2025?

National Back to Church Sunday is observed on the third Sunday of September each year.

Observations