St Bartholomew

I love this Church, after looking for a church in Long Beach I found the one. Everyone is really friendly. Small cute church. Only thing is there is street parking, but that won’t holds me from attending mass here.

I moved to Long Beach over 2 years ago and was referred by one of my coworkers about St. Barth’s. I started attending & loved the sermons given. I recently got engaged & of course St. Barth’s was my choice to get married in EXCEPT when I asked about wedding ceremony requirements, I was told I could not get married there because of my address (I was short off a few blocks!). Seriously? Isn’t everyone suppose to be accepted at any church no matter where you come from? VERY disappointed that I can not get married at my church.

Went here for three years when I lived in Belmont Shore. Friendly people, priests, etc.
However, after I moved I wanted my daughter to be baptized there. They told me no, since I no longer lived in the neighborhood even though I went there every Sunday for three years.
Not going back.

Over 10 Yrs coming to @St. Barth’s and I’m Loving it! It’s more than just a Beautiful Church. Remember, YOU are very Dear and Special to God and I would like to invite you to join us. «Come let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for HE is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under HIS care» Psalm 95:6−7

I came to this church for the first time last Saturday for my friend’s wedding. I have never step foot into this church before but have always seen it when I would ride my bike around this area with my husband. This church is small, but very beautiful and perfect for my friend’s small wedding ceremony.
The wood paneling all around the church (inside) is beautiful. Natural wood really gives interior something special. Loved the high archway ceilings. The focal point of the church makes for some beautiful and classic photos for anyone who chooses to have their wedding ceremony here. In the back of the church, on the 2^nd floor, there is an organ where an organist can play and a live vocalist can sing to enhance your wedding ceremony (like it was done at my friend’s wedding).
A few things to mention that are not so awesome, let’s say, (1) the lobby is a bit on the small side, (2) There is no restroom in this church and you have to go outside and around the building to use one (clean women’s restroom though), (3) only street parking, but I don’t mind the short walk from the residential street where we parked.
But overall, this place was perfect for my friend’s wedding, that brought friends and 2 families together. What more could you ask for?

Great community.

I don’t consider myself Catholic… nor a Born Again Christian… A buddhist… a taoist… I consider myself spiritual because I believe in a HIGHER being out there to help us out. The Christian God, our higher self, the Virgin Mary, Saints, Angels…
I always love coming to St. Bartholomew’s because I feel at peace when I come here. You’re always welcomed by the local residents and minister. There’s something there that I can’t seem to point my finger at. I can’t even find the right word to describe this uplifting feeling that encompasses me when I step into and out of this place. I feel that choosing an amazing word is not enough to describe the feeling inside me.
I pray to everything… Mother Nature, the stars, God, Jesus, Mary, Ganesha, Quan Yin… I feel that when I come here all of it makes sense.
I would suggest to spend some time at the grotto with the Virgin Mary. It’s my favorite spot where I feel warm, peaceful, loved, and cared for. It helps clear my head and become worry-​less.

Love this quaint church! I was Unilocaling which ones were close to my pad and tried hearing mass here. I come when i’m off on Sundays, very solemn. Parking is a bit of a hassle so make sure come a little early so you won’t have to walk long.

My son got married here, so it was the only reason I visited. Immediately, I found out there is no parking lot! Well, I guess a parking lot in this area of Long Beach would be crazy… land is worth way too much.
I used to be a practicing Catholic, so I’ve been to a lot of cold, dank, and monstrous churches. Anyway, St Bartholomew’s is a very warm & inviting church. Cushions on the pews made it even better!

My wife and I have been attending St Barts since we moved to Long Beach in 2007. We have felt very welcomed since we began attending and enjoy the fact that there are many younger families who attend as well. The parish is progressive in nature for a Catholic Church and focused on helping the surrounding Long Beach community. Being agnostic most of my life I appreciate the fact that our priest is pragmatic and not doctrinaire.
The community is our favorite part of St. Barts. The 9:30 mass is the children’s mass and we often stay till 11:30 or 12 enjoying the coffee and donuts and letting the kids play in the parish hall. There are regular dance classes with child care, smaller faith groups and clubs, and other assorted activities throughout the year.

Been coming here almost every Sunday for the past 3 years and just in love with the feel of community and connection in this church. I stop going to Catholic Churchs cause it was just not welcoming everywhere i went. Here i feel at peace and welcomed!
Great choir and church members!!!

This is such a great place to come together and worship our belief in GOD. The priests really try to make it a more «Modern» church by adapting to our times now and not so much on the past. This really helps because it does not alienate any of its parishioners. It is a small church but that adds to its «Likeability» factor. I have felt compelled to take a more active role in the church as a Eucharistic Minister & Catechist because of this. Overall, St. Bartholomew is a fantastic church for all.

I couldn’t agree more with Angelique, directly below this review.
I moved to Belmont Shores about 3 years ago and found this church because of its location. The church itself is very nice, the pastor (s) have thick accents but are understandable, and you can tell they have done their time in the church because they speak about very root issues but keep them current.
A joke was made by one pastor to start his opening homily on Easter Sunday… I don’t remember it verbatim, but it was along the lines of:
A man and his wife went to Jerusalem with her dying mother to get her last rights where Jesus lived. While they were their, the mother in law unfortunately passed, and the man who ran the cemetery asked the husband, would you like to bury your mother in law here, or send her back to the states for burial? The man replied, OH NO, I heard about a man who was buried here once and rose again in three days… I don’t want that happening again!
So, when I get to church, I go here…

I’ve been going to St. Bart’s since I moved to Long Beach more than 10 years ago. I tried a few other Catholic churches before settling here. The pastor –and the retired pastors in residence– are unlike most older priests I’ve ever encountered. Their homilies are relevant with current times, funny, interesting and never long enough that my mind starts to wander. They also never make you feel like you’re any more a sinner than they are. Outside of mass, they’re easy to talk to (even during confession, which I still get nervous about), warm and welcoming. The same can be said about the visiting priests as well.
In fact the whole congregation is pretty welcoming. There are a lot of events for the parish that help maintain a nice sense of community from the annual picnics to the coffee and donuts after every mass and other random events throughout the year.
Another thing I appreciate is the diversity among the other churchgoers. I see all ages, colors, orientations and backgrounds here on Sunday.
The priests and parishoners at St. Bart’s truly have built a wonderful Catholic community.