Pleasant Hill is the nation's largest restored Shaker community. Lexington's present-day churches include congregations whose histories go back to the region's earliest settlement days, as well as some of the largest congregations in Kentucky. Today, fast-growing Lexington combines longstanding religious traditions with a growing religious diversity. More than 50 denominations and religious groups are represented in the hundreds of churches in the Lexington area. But there also are Catholic and Hindu, Methodist and Mormon, Mennonite and Chinese Christian congregations.
Religion plays an important role in the region's educational heritage.
The area is home to top-ranked Christian liberal arts colleges and seminaries. Many area churches have strong musical traditions, with choirs and singing groups that perform regionally and nationally. Lexington's central location, flexible meeting facilities, affordable accommodations and family atmosphere make it a popular place for religious meetings, conferences and conventions. Rupp Arena and adjacent Heritage Hall in downtown Lexington have also hosted many religious groups. The Worldwide Church of God has met annually in Lexington for many years.