Farm Church is a Church that meets on a farm and leverages the resources of the farm to address food insecurity in Durham by asking the question: how might we love and honor people with good food?

Farm Church’s Sunday morning schedule adapts to the agricultural calendar

As the season changes, our worship and gathering schedule and plan/s adapt accordingly! We are currently gathering…

Sunday Mornings between 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Join us at our garden (1102 Watts St. Durham, NC) for outdoor worship gathering and garden time. In the chance of rain, check our Instagram or Facebook for real-time updates.

Why Farm?

Why take things outside?

Farm Church’s mission is to gather a Christ-centered community around elements of soil and food, to break bread together, and to leverage all the resources of a farm to address food insecurity in our community.

Simply put, we can’t think of a better place to be in touch with God and with each other than on a farm. There’s something about sinking our fingers into the soil, of nurturing the lives of plants and animals, of harvesting the gifts of creation and sharing them with others… There’s just something about it all that feels like, well, worship.

That’s the “Farm” in “Farm Church”--the excitement we share about worshiping God in a barn, in an orchard, or outside under a beautiful sky - the thought of our children taking care of chickens and harvesting eggs to be shared with a local food pantry--the chance to respond to God’s love with an overwhelming desire to do what Jesus did and feed people.

Why Church?

It’s a good question, isn’t it?

Why not just have a farm, grow a ton of food, and give it all away, right? Why add what is, for many, a religiously problematic layer to a really cool idea? The truth is that we are striving to follow Jesus, a person who was pretty clear about how important it is that people have enough to eat.

We also believe in the good and wonderful power of church—not church as a building or a list of do's and don't's, but rather church as a come-one, come-all community of seekers committed to connecting neighbors, dispelling isolation, and sensing God’s direction in the world and in our lives.

Farm Church grew out of a wild, imaginative question: “What could church really be?” As a community, we’re hoping to answer that question as we worship God, harvest vegetables, and show up in the world in ways that make a real difference. We welcome you to come and experience Farm Church with us!

Frequently Asked Questions

Farm Church? What's that mean?

We’re a church that meets on a farm, worships God on a farm, and leverages the resources of a farm to address issues of food insecurity in our community. Check out “Why Farm?” and “Why Church?”

Does Farm Church have a building?

In a word, no. We have a small urban farm on the corner of Watts and Green Streets in Durham (1102 Watts St.) that is our main location for Sunday (and Wednesday) gatherings. We have partner locations at Trinity Avenue Presbyterian Church and S.E.E.D.S (a nonprofit garden school). So no official “Farm Church” building, but we do have a sanctuary! That word, "sanctuary," means "sacred place," and it's a reality we celebrate whenever and wherever we gather together.

I'd like to come, should I just show up?

Yes! Show up! We'll be spending time each week outside and you'll have chances to get your hands dirty, so maybe wear clothes you don't mind getting a little dirty - and that will keep you warm or cool.

Should I bring anything?

Bring your beautiful self. And an open mind. In the summer heat, we recommend you wear comfortable clothes, a hat/sunglasses, sunscreen/bug spray, and a lawn chair or blanket. In the colder months, wear clothing/hat to keep you warm.

When should I arrive? How long is your worship?

9:00 a.m.! We will spend the first part of worship (9-10:00 a.m.) working together in our garden at Watts & Green (1102 Watts St.), tending to our garden’s needs (and as a result, tending to our own spiritual needs as well). Then at 10:00 a.m., we will transition to our ‘Words’ part of worship. During this last morning hour, we may discuss a passage or poem, listen to a reflection, or have a shared discussion. We share communion together every week.

Farm Church has discovered that we must adapt our meeting times to the seasons. Stay tuned for our worship meeting times as the seasons change.

Are children welcome at Farm Church?

Goodness yes. Children of all ages are welcome, and encouraged to engage the Farm Church experience in lots of ways. We usually have some ways for children to be active in worship - creating art, moving around the garden, communion giving…

Am I welcome?

We honor and affirm humanity's God-given diversity, and so we welcome individuals of every age, race, nationality, gender, ability, sexual orientation, and economic circumstance to participate fully in the life of Farm Church. Farm Church is an open and affirming community for LGBTQ+ folks. Garden/farming experience or first-time gardener, you are welcome here.

What should I wear?

Garden clothes. Jeans, shorts, t-shirts...

Is Farm Church part of a denomination?

We're a ministry of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Is everybody at Farm Church Presbyterian?

Nope. And they don't have to be. Presbyterian, Lutheran, Catholic, non-religious, agnostic, post-Christian... Spiritually speaking, people come in lots of flavors. We affirm the journey and welcome the companionship.