Religion has the power to bring people together, provide strength and emotional support and foster a sense of belonging.
Luckily, Sydney is a vibrant, multicultural place. As of 2021, Catholicism, Anglicanism and Islam were the top three religions, but the city is also home to followers of Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism and more.
So, no matter where you’re from or what religion you follow, you’re bound to find a place to worship, connect and feel at home.
Christianity in Sydney
Christianity, encompassing many denominations, is the largest faith group in Sydney. This means it’s easy to find a great church near you.
Catholic churches
- St Peter’s Catholic Church, Surry Hills
- St Patrick’s Catholic Church, The Rocks
- All Saint’s Church, Liverpool – services in Italian, Malayalam and Polish
- Holy Spirit, North Ryde – services in Filipino and Spanish
Anglican churches
- St Thomas’ Anglican Church, North Sydney
- St Jude’s Anglican Church, Randwick
- St John’s Anglican Cathedral, Parramatta – services in English, Cantonese, Farsi and Mandarin
Other churches
- Seventh-day Adventist Church, Chatswood
- Central Baptist Church, Sydney
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sydney
- St Paul’s Lutheran Church, Darlinghurst
- The Christian Chinese Church, Milsons Point – services in English, Mandarin and Cantonese
- Australian Indian Christian Church, Fairfield
- All Saints of Russia Orthodox Church, Croydon
- Greek Orthodox Church of St Sophia, Paddington
Islam in Sydney
There are more than 300,000 people practising Islam in Sydney, so you’ll be sure to find a warm, welcoming and diverse community here.
Mosques
- Sydney CBD Musalla, Sydney
- Turkish Mosque, Erskineville – offers Khutba in Turkish and English
- Redfern Mosque, Surry Hills
- Al Hijrah Mosque, Tempe – offers Khutbah in Indonesian and English
Many universities also have prayer rooms available.
You can even look into joining some of the many Islamic community associations, such as United Muslims of Australia, which has youth groups in Sydney.
Hinduism in Sydney
Sydney is also home to many Hindu temples, many of which are located in the west.
There, you’ll find Shirdi Sai Temple in Strathfield South, Sri Karphaga Vinayakar Temple in Homebush West, Sydney Shakti Temple in Old Toongabbie, and many more. Alternatively, head to Iskcon Temple in North Sydney.
If you’re searching for more ways to get involved, you could look to join student groups, like the Hindu societies at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) or the University of New South Wales (UNSW)
Buddhism in Sydney
There are also lots of Buddhist Temples in Sydney, meaning no matter where you’re based, you’ll find somewhere near you.
Sze Yup Kwan Ti Temple in Glebe isn’t just a functioning Taoist temple, but it’s also one of Sydney’s oldest, built in 1898. Wat Buddharangsee is a Thai temple located in Annandale, while Wat Phrayortkeo Dhammayanaram is a Lao Buddhist temple in Edensor Park.
Closer to the city, you can find lots going on at the Bodhikusuma Buddhist & Meditation Centre in Haymarket. Don’t forget to check your university for student groups like UTS’ Buddhist Meditation Society.
Judaism in Sydney
Jewish people have been a part of the fabric of Sydney since the very beginning of European settlement, so it’s no surprise it’s home to a vibrant and active community.
In the centre of Sydney, you’ll find The Great Synagogue. Known for its stunning architecture, you can visit for daily and weekly services, as well as regular events.
Alternatively, you can also head to the Newtown Synagogue in the southwest or go southeast to find the Emanuel Synagogue, the Central Synagogue and Sydney’s Shul.
You can also head to the Jewish Australia website to find community groups to get involved with or join the Australasian Union of Jewish Students.
Other faiths
Even if your faith isn’t listed above, you’ll still likely find somewhere to worship in Sydney. Searching online or asking around within your community can be great ways to start.
For example, Sikh followers can head to Guru Nanak Gurudwara in Turramurra, while followers of Jainism can visit the Sydney Jain Mandal in Seven Hills.
If you’re still struggling to find somewhere, it might be worth looking online. Many faith centres in Australia and around the world offer live-streamed services, making it easy to practise your faith wherever you are.
