At St. Joseph’s Church in Greenwich Village, a recent 6 p.m. Sunday Mass drew so many young adults that latecomers stood in the foyer, squatted on balcony steps, or leaned against walls. An hour earlier, many had gathered nearby for pizza as part of a growing meetup trend.
Events such as this, called “Pizza to Pews” in New York, have drawn hundreds of 20-somethings who walk together from dinner to Mass, The Wall Street Journal reported. Organizers Anthony Gross and Kate DePetro started the group months ago. “Nobody wants to go to Mass alone,” Gross told the WSJ.
The “Pizza to Pews” gatherings have grown rapidly. What started with roughly 100 young adults weeks ago now regularly draws 200 or more, with some traveling by train from Long Island or even Boston.
Nearby St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral has also seen more young attendees lingering afterward to socialize. Isabella Orlando, 23, launched “Holy Girl Walk” rosary gatherings in Central Park that grew from 50 to more than 150 participants after one video went viral.
These scenes reflect a measurable shift among Gen Z Americans, who now attend church more frequently than older generations.
National Trends and Statistics
Data show Gen Z churchgoers now average nearly two weekends per month in 2025, the highest rate tracked by Barna Group and up from about one weekend per month in 2020.
A Gallup poll covering 2024-2025 found 42% of men ages 18-29 say religion is “very important” to them, up from 28% in 2022-2023. Young women held steady near 30%. Young men’s monthly or more frequent religious service attendance rose to 40%, the highest since 2012-2013.
Overall, U.S. religiosity remains below historical highs. Gallup reported in March 2026 that 47% of all Americans say religion is “very important” in their lives, a level that has remained steady in recent years but down from 58% in 2012.
Pew Research Center’s 2023-24 Religious Landscape Study indicated the long-term decline in Christian identification has slowed and may have leveled off.
Texas Sees Similar Momentum
In Texas, 67% of adults identify as Christians, with 26% religiously unaffiliated, according to Pew data. Reports from Central and North Texas describe increased attendance by Gen Z at churches and youth events.
In Central Texas, religious leaders report Gen Z attendance has doubled at some churches over the past two years. At Highland Baptist Church in Waco, the Next Gen and College ministry has seen significant growth, with Gen Z and Gen Alpha now making up a major part of many services, KWTX reported. Similar increases have been reported across North Texas congregations.
“They’ve tried vaping, sex and porn,” said Lead Harris Creek Baptist Church Pastor JP Pokluda in the Waco, Texas area, per KWTX. “They’ve tried to escape through alcohol and they’ve said ‘That stuff has left us wanting. But this Jesus guy, it seems like there’s truth there. And when we follow it it leads to life, and life abundantly.’”
Worship Trends and Outside-Church Activity
Churches report growth in conversions and young adult groups. At St. Joseph’s, Easter conversions nearly doubled, and the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults class expanded significantly.
Trends extend beyond traditional services. Young people organize rosary walks, post church routines on TikTok, and use faith-based dating apps. Some parishes added events or lighting upgrades driven by younger volunteers.
The Hartford Institute for Religion Research noted median in-person worship attendance rose slightly in 2026, the first positive gain in 25 years, though overall numbers remain below pre-2000 levels.
Young Men Drive Church Attendance Surge, Boosting Family Faith Leadership
Observers note a particular rise among young men. According to Barna Group research released in 2025, 43% of men now report attending church weekly compared to 36% of women — a reversal of long-standing trends. Married fathers with children under 18 currently show the highest weekly attendance rates among all parent groups.
Studies have long shown the strong influence of fathers on family faith. When a father regularly attends church, between two-thirds and three-quarters of his children continue attending as adults, even if the mother does not. In contrast, when only the mother attends regularly, far fewer children follow.
This shift among men is being watched closely by church leaders for its potential impact on family spiritual leadership.
Context and Broader Questions
Some churches reported attendance bumps after the September 2025 assassination of Charlie Kirk, as covered by The Dallas Express.
Surveys and reporting indicate that young adults are seeking community, tradition, and meaning after the pandemic, amid economic pressures and geopolitical tensions, noted Barna. Clergy reports that newcomers often seek guidance beyond career and consumption.
Whether these developments signal a broader revival remains a question in ongoing religious research.
