The Rise of Non-Religious Gatherings in San Francisco's Grace Cathedral: A Place for Yoga, Drag Shows, and Community

San Francisco's Grace Cathedral has transformed into a hub for non-religious events, embracing a diverse congregation seeking community and spirituality beyond traditional worship. From yoga classes to drag shows and sound baths, the cathedral is now a popular destination for spiritual exploration and social connection.

The once solemn halls of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco have undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, becoming a vibrant space for a diverse array of non-religious events that are attracting a growing congregation.

The Rise of Non-Religious Gatherings in San Francisco's Grace Cathedral: A Place for Yoga, Drag Shows, and Community

According to a recent U.S. Census Bureau survey, San Francisco is the second least religious metro area in the country, with 63% of adults not attending church or religious services. Grace Cathedral has responded to this shift by offering a program called "Grace Arts," which charges an annual fee for access to events and classes that cater to a non-churchgoing crowd.

Among the popular offerings are twice-weekly yoga classes, concerts, drag shows, and performances featuring trapeze artists. Monthly sound baths invite participants to nestle into sleeping bags and listen to musicians play by candlelight.

The Rise of Non-Religious Gatherings in San Francisco's Grace Cathedral: A Place for Yoga, Drag Shows, and Community

The cathedral has seen a surge in membership since the launch of Grace Arts, with the number of Grace Arts members now outnumbering regular churchgoing households by a significant margin. The average age of participants has also dropped from 63 to 40, indicating the appeal of the new program to a younger generation.

Kimberly Porter-Leite, a volunteer yoga instructor at the cathedral, describes the classes as "mat Tetris" due to their popularity. She notes that many participants are former churchgoers who felt unwelcome or unsafe in traditional religious settings.

The Rise of Non-Religious Gatherings in San Francisco's Grace Cathedral: A Place for Yoga, Drag Shows, and Community

Another participant, Darren Main, a gay man who once felt shamed by the Catholic Church, finds solace and community in the yoga classes. He says, "A lot of people here left the church, not feeling particularly welcome or safe. But we still need a space where we can be together for some reason besides bickering about politics."

The cathedral's liberal and welcoming stance has also attracted non-religious individuals like Kimberly Porter-Leite, who is married to a woman who felt mistreated by the church for being a lesbian.

The dean of Grace Cathedral, The Very Rev. Malcolm Clemens Young, is encouraged by the diversity of participants attending the events. He says, "We always say you can belong before you believe, or you can belong and never believe. There's such a spiritual hunger. We're always going to look up at the stars in wonder. And we're always going to ask why we're here."

Grace Cathedral's transformation into a hub for non-religious gatherings reflects a growing trend in spirituality, where individuals are seeking a sense of community and connection beyond traditional worship. The cathedral has embraced this change, providing a welcoming and inclusive space for spiritual exploration and social engagement.