Plan My Visit

You Belong

We are so glad you are planning to visit First Church. We want to help you feel at ease from the moment you consider coming to our campus.

We understand that visiting a new church is a big deal and we want you to have all of the information necessary to make your visit as welcoming and comfortable as possible. Please read through the questions below to learn all you need to know about coming to our campus. And if you still have questions? Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Katie Gilbert at Katie@firstchurchbhm.com.

What should I wear to First Church?

You are invited to wear whatever makes you comfortable, you will be accepted here no matter what you are wearing. You will see people dressed in their “Sunday best” while others are wearing blue jeans and tee shirts.

What can I expect worship to be like?

Each service lasts approximately one hour and each service has a unique feel.

The Sanctuary is a traditional service that meets at 11:00am. The service follows a liturgical rhythm made up of congregational hymn singing, Scripture readings, choral and organ music, prayer, and a sermon.

The Loft is a modern worship service that also meets at 11:00am. The service does not follow a set liturgy rather it incorporates modern worship songs with a band, a sermon, time for prayer, and the use of video and projected images to enhance the worship experience.

Where should I park?

On Sunday mornings we have 5 visitor parking spots reserved just for you along the parking meters on 6^th Avenue South just before you reach the entrance to our back parking lot. When you arrive you will be greeted by one of our Welcome Guides who can help you navigate to Sunday School and worship.

In addition to these parking spaces, free parking is available in our back parking lot and in the parking lot across 18^th Street South. Curbside parking is also available on all of the streets around the church. All parking meters are free on the weekends.

What if I need accessible parking and/or an accessible entrance?

You will find accessible parking in both our back parking lot as well as along the parking meters on 6^th Avenue South just behind visitor parking.

The Education Building (where our Sunday School rooms and Loft worship space are located) has an elevator on the 1^st floor just across from the Welcome Center. To access the elevator, enter the building either from the Courtyard doors or the back parking lot.

To access an accessible entrance to the Sanctuary, we encourage you to park in one of the accessible spots along 6^th Avenue South and come through the Courtyard which has a level entry. The Sanctuary elevator can be found as you come through the Narthex and turn left. It is located across from the Archive Room.

What do you have for children during worship?

On Sunday mornings we offer a nursery from 9:30am -12:15pm for children ages 12 weeks through Kindergarten that can be found on the first floor of the Education Building across from the Welcome Center.

We believe that elementary age children (and our church community!) benefit most from participating in worship. We welcome their wiggles and giggles! You will find resources to help with creative minds and energetic bodies by the entrances to both of our worship spaces. You will also find headphones available for children who need less noise during worship.

If you would like more information about our children’s ministry throughout the year click HERE.

And for youth?

Our youth meet for Sunday School from 9:45am – 10:45am each Sunday morning before transitioning to worship. If you would like more information about our youth group, click HERE or contact Ashley Hess Ashley@firstchurchbhm.com.

What are the people like?

As a downtown church, we are a diverse representation of our urban setting. People come to First Church from all different parts of Birmingham and the surrounding areas—from as close as lofts in downtown to areas as far away as Sylacauga and beyond. We are made up of people of all ages and life-stages, all races, all socio-economic levels, all sexualities and gender identities, families and single individuals—we are constantly striving to be a reflection of the Beloved Community of God!

What if I’m not United Methodist? Should I still come?

Yes! First Church is made up of people from a variety of denominational backgrounds. If you would like more information about what it means to be a United Methodist click HERE but know that it is not a requirement to be United Methodist to join us in worship and fellowship. Everyone is invited to participate fully in this community of faith.