Free WordPress Themes for Churches in 2026
If you’re searching for wordpress themes for churches that look welcoming, load fast, and are easy to update, WordPress.org is a solid place to start. Below are five free themes tagged for church use, covering everything from modern Full Site Editing (FSE) layouts to traditional sermon-and-events style homepages. Each option includes a short, SEO-friendly overview plus clear pros and cons to help you pick the right fit for your ministry website.
| Theme Name | Price | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Church FSE | Free ($0) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.0/5 |
| Cathedral | Free ($0) | 5.0/5 |
| Church WDA | Free ($0) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.4 |
| Rejoice | Free ($0) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐4.7 |
| Devotion | Free ($0) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐4.2 |
Church FSE
Church FSE is a modern Full Site Editing theme built for ministries that want a clean, flexible website without relying on heavy page builders. It includes ready-to-use patterns for sermons, events, ministries, and donation-focused sections, making it ideal for churches that publish regular updates. The design is mobile-optimised and performance-minded, so your pages feel fast and readable on phones. If you want a future-friendly setup using the WordPress Site Editor, this theme is a strong, scalable foundation.
Pros
- Polished FSE layout that feels current
- Patterns for sermons, events, and ministries
- Mobile-first structure for busy visitors
- Great base for a clean, fast site
Cons
- FSE workflow can feel new at first
- Best results require block-based editing
- Highly custom layouts take some setup time
- Not built around classic “Customizer” controls
Cathedral
Cathedral is a church-focused WordPress theme designed to create a strong first impression with minimal effort. Built for Full Site Editing, it gives you block patterns and a structured layout that suits parishes, cathedrals, and community churches alike. The styling is clean and professional, helping visitors quickly find service times, announcements, and key links. It also supports WooCommerce, which can be useful for fundraising items, tickets, or resources. If you want an elegant, dependable look that feels “official,” Cathedral is a standout.
Pros
- Elegant, trustworthy visual style
- Block patterns speed up page building
- WooCommerce-ready for fundraising extras
- Great for parish-style information layouts
Cons
- Some design choices can feel formal
- FSE editing may require a learning curve
- Less “youthful” by default without tweaks
- Complex pages may need extra pattern work
Church WDA
Church WDA focuses on a warm, welcoming homepage with practical sections and clear calls-to-action like “Join Us” and “Donate.” It’s built to present your message quickly, making it a smart choice for churches that want a professional front page without over-designing. The theme supports different page and post layouts, plus per-page sidebar choices for better content control. If your goal is to guide visitors to service info, events, and next steps, Church WDA keeps things simple while still feeling polished.
Pros
- Strong CTA layout for visitors and donors
- Homepage sections that are easy to organise
- Layout flexibility for pages and blog
- Professional look without extra fuss
Cons
- Some advanced sections may be premium-only
- Less “design flair” than more modern FSE themes
- May require images to avoid looking plain
- Best results need careful section ordering
Rejoice
Rejoice is a modern church theme built around Full Site Editing, aimed at churches that want a clean, content-first website. It supports layouts suitable for sermons, events, worship schedules, and community updates, while keeping the overall aesthetic minimal and easy to read. The theme is responsive and works smoothly across devices, which is essential for visitors checking service times on mobile. Rejoice can also integrate with WooCommerce for small stores or fundraising. If you want a simple, modern base that you can customise steadily, this theme fits well.
Pros
- Modern, minimal design that highlights content
- Responsive layout for mobile visitors
- FSE flexibility for header/footer control
- WooCommerce-friendly if you need it
Cons
- Minimal style may need branding to pop
- Full customisation relies on Site Editor
- Some features may be positioned as upgrades
- Not ideal if you prefer classic theme settings
Devotion
Devotion is a clean, elegant church theme designed to help churches publish updates, share information, and create a calm, welcoming online presence. It uses Full Site Editing with premade patterns, so you can assemble pages quickly and keep a consistent look across the site. The theme is responsive and tested with popular plugins such as WooCommerce and Contact Form tools, which is helpful for donations, event signups, and visitor enquiries. If you want a straightforward church layout that stays lightweight and easy to manage, Devotion is a strong option.
Pros
- Calm, simple design that’s easy to trust
- Patterns help you build pages faster
- Responsive across phones and tablets
- Works well with common plugins
Cons
- May feel plain without strong imagery
- FSE editing takes a little practice
- Some extras may be offered commercially
- Less suited to highly complex layouts
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right theme comes down to how you plan to manage content and what your visitors need most. If you want the most balanced option with strong patterns and a modern FSE approach, Church FSE is the safest all-round pick. For a more formal, “established” church look that still supports modern editing, Cathedral is a standout. If your priority is guiding visitors to key actions like joining, donating, and attending events, Church WDA keeps your homepage focused and practical.
For churches that prefer a simple, minimal canvas that stays content-first, Rejoice is a clean choice. And if you want an elegant, lightweight theme that’s easy to assemble with patterns, Devotion is dependable.
Final Verdict
- Best Overall Value: Church FSE
- Best Visual Impact: Cathedral
- Best Customization: Church FSE
- Best Features: Church FSE
- Budget Pick: Devotion
