to ask what church I should be looking for?

[BobtheFireman]

I was reared Catholic but for countless reasons do not wish to have anything to do with that church.
Is there a similar teaching? I've heard Church of England, but I don't see any churches named that.

I would like to have a church to turn to, just not the one I was brought up in.

What is the nearest one to Catholicism? What is the name of churches I should look out for locally or indeed what should I google?

Try St Mary's Woodford. That shouldn't be too far away from you. They're not as high church as some (don't have incense, for example) but do have sung Eucharist and Evensong.

When asking for a church that is like the RCC, has similar teaching to the RCC, but is not the RCC, what exactly are you after.

The Church of England, event on the Anglo-Catholic wing is not like the RCC. It is ritualistic, where some RCC churches can be quite relaxed (all the mutterings of "you are right, father" don't really happen in the ACC).

The RCC is very authoritarian, whereas the COfE is much more into discipleship. If you want to be told what to do and believe, this should not happens in the COfE. The COfE will expound on scripture and try to make sense of it in light of the context of the day, the context in our lives and church tradition. You then take away those teachings and apply it to your own life, hopefully mulling it all over with a small group of like-minded Christians and a programme of personal bible study, and prayer.

In the context of Anglicanism, catholic means putting an emphasis on church tradition, evangelical means an emphasis on the word of scripture, and liberal means an emphasis on the modern context. All churches, from whichever wing, will have elements of all parts of this "three-legged stool".

So what part of religio

He dislikes the Baptist beliefs regarding not drinking alcohol.

That's not most Baptists I know!

Thanks for all the brilliant suggestions and advice. A lot for me to look up. Now I just need to get up and go to one!

I feel I need to clarify I wasn't sexually abused by 2 priests, it was different abuse. Sorry if I mislead on that point.

As for why I've never noticed churches? I think I walk around the place in a world of my own lol. That and I guess I haven't been looking out for one, so it wouldn't be on my radar so to speak.

Thanks again for all the brilliant advice. The one in Walthamstow and another suggestion I received of one near Barbican/Farringdon sound like they could fit the bill. Walthamstow because it's close to me and sounds like the traditional old building I'm looking for and the other one because it sounds amazing.

Thanks again.

Also, reading back, Westminster Cathedral (didn't know that was Catholic? - Isn't that where the royals go?) and St. Mary's Woodford sound like viable options. To be honest I'm not fussed, once it's not Catholic. I like the opulence I guess and the serenity of these big old places. And maybe the silence. Maybe I should head to a library lol.

It's amazing how indoctrinated you become having been reared in a particular faith. I've rallied ferociously against anything religious for years now. And yet, I'm finding myself floundering. In need of some spiritual comfort. It has always been the 'last chance saloon' for me. When all else fails, say a prayer. I was never a good Catholic. Never went to mass every Sunday (not since I was brought along as a child). My grandmother died last year. She was constantly saying Novenas for me (it's where you say a prayer for 9 days or 9 hours to grant a miracle or request) and I suppose in previous days I would have called her for comfort. Now I don't have her to turn to so maybe I need to find my own path. I guess the positive is that I'm not fussed about the denomination so I've a lot to choose from. I actually used to live across the road from a church - The Redeemed Christian Church of Christ (or something) it was called. Everyone who went in though was African so I would have stood out like a sore thumb. PaleFace haha. I envied them though. They were always dressed up as if they were going to a wedding. The kids were so cute in their little dresses and suits. But they worshipped on a Saturday, so I figured that apart from being white and not fitting in, they had a different 'sabbath' day so probably were a 'strange' church lol.

OP consider going on an Alpha course, they are great. You can think things through and discuss in a friendly and unpressured setting. alpha.org/try/ Alpha courses were started in the C of E but now run in all kinds of churches. There is also a Catholic Alpha course.

Also, if you really want to go "back to basics" (no religious ritual, very relaxed, no dress code, focus on spiritual experience) try a Vineyard Church www.vineyardchurches.org.uk/churches/

Also, reading back, Westminster Cathedral (didn't know that was Catholic? - Isn't that where the royals go?)

I think you are thinking of Westminster Abbey which is CofE.....

doubleespresso yes you're correct, that's what I was thinking of. Is the cathedral close by? Would it be Westminster tube station you'd get off at?

I thought you didn't want RC so why Westminster Cathedral?

If a church isn't named it's probably Church of England. Pretty much every village/town/city had one.

Westminster Abbey (C of E) and Westminster Cathedral (RC) are pretty much next to each other. But I would tend to think Southwark is a better bet - Westminster Abbey is so overrun with tourists.

Good point FFfion. I think I had in my head Westminster Abbey and didn't really think about the denomination. I've always thought it a beautiful place. Must put it on my to-do list to go to visit incidentally. Even if not for a prayer, just as a tourist. I could go into a Catholic cathedral, just as long as I didn't have to deal with a priest.

Bobthefireman your best and easiest bet would be to take the Victoria Line to Victoria-it is literally a four minute walk from the station.

I’m also wondering if you have thought of trying a different tack. Buddhist centres have meditation and yoga classes and the one near me was friendly, welcoming and a little quiet haven in the middle of South London.

If you’re feeling scattered and troubled meditation and mindfulness could help. It’s just posh breathing really

To be quite honest Terry Pratchett, I hadn't even thought about going back to religion before last night. I'm a little lost. Maybe I'm the one sheep out of the one hundred that got lost that the shepherd looked for all night lol. Buddhism appeals to me a lot but, I'm vulnerable emotionally at the moment so am mindful of the fact that I'd be susceptible to any religion really. Jehovahs Witnesses or Scientology are usually the ones who prey on me. In a stronger emotional place I might explore Buddhism.

Right now I feel my safest place is what I know. I'm not in an adventurous state of mind. I need home comforts. Like your Mammy's dinner. Just something I know.

I get it. Just keep swimming.

Tomorrow is Sunday and there is Evening Song or EvenSong? in a church that sounds beautiful so I'm aiming to make that. I suffer from depression so just the thoughts of washing and getting make-up on can put me off even trying. I'll see how I feel, but I would love it I think. It's hard to just do the simplest of things! So bloody frustrating. It's like I have a teenager me inside me getting frustrated at ME not doing anything or going anywhere. Sounds ridiculous probably. I'm not sleeping much these days or else I'm sleeping all day and awake all night! Hence my presence here at this hour!

One thing at a time. Get to church. See if it works for you!

Don’t bother with the make up unless you think it will make you feel better. I probably only put on make up once a week (if that) no one will care

Good luck OP. I hope you are up to going tomorrow. First steps.

Name changed to my non-anonymous name as this is my local area...

The Church of ENgland is an incredibly broad church and there is something for everyone, from happy clappy to incense and bells. E17 is no exception. Personally I go to St Peter in the Forest (on Woodford New Road which you can park on on a Sunday morning, you can also get to it from the top of Upper Walthamstow Road by walking along the path through the forest). It is fairly high church with incense and robes and fairly formal, but it is also very welcoming and relaxed - while the current priest is a man, it would be very welcoming of a woman priest and the church is also very far from being anti-gay (both of these things are important to me). It is very inclusive. I say formal, but there are always kids around and no one minds a bit of child noise. I'll be there tomorrow morning and would be very happy to meet you beforehand and go in with you and show you the ropes if it would help.

Having said all that, i wonder whether St Michael and All Angels (Palmerston Road, just near the market) might suit you better? It is the closest type of church to a Catholic church you'll find in the CofE. It meets your criteria of a big gothic-type space much better than St Peter's. The priest there is really lovely (I am friends with his wife who is a MNer, if you are reading this. Having said that, the wife of the vicar of St Peter's is also a MNer!). The thing that puts me off ST Michael's though is that it is part of Forward in Faith, which is the branch of the Church of England which refuses to accept woman priests. It is therefore part of the separate diocese which has a bishop whose hands won't have ordained women, etc etc. I'm not prepared to go to a church which won't accept women's ministry. But I think it meets your criteria apart from that.

One thing to note is that in London churches generally aren't really open much except for Sunday services and when other activities are going on - it isn't usually possible to go in and pray on your own at other times. This is because of the risk of theft/vandalism etc, sadly.