In the process, they also established a religious environment of absolute tolerance of each other's right to observe their beliefs. In the entire recorded history of Wilmington, there is not so much as one example of religious oppression. To the contrary, there are many examples of a congregation of one denomination coming to the aid of another, such as when the members of Temple Israel, the first Jewish Temple in North Carolina, freely shared their building with neighboring Methodists for two years after the Methodist church was destroyed by fire in 1886.

In the aftermath of the Civil War, many a white congregation offered financial and moral support to newly created black churches when black members decided the time had come to create their own houses of worship. Although churches are still largely segregated, there is a continuing respectful and supportive attitude among them.

Modern day Greater Wilmington and the Cape Fear region offer great diversity in places and styles of worship in more than 200 churches. One cannot view the Wilmington skyline without being instantly struck by the profusion of spires -- even in the aftermath of the hurricanes of 1996, when the First Baptist Church on the corner of Market and 4th streets lost its 197-foot-high steeple (the city's tallest); restoration is underway.

The grander houses of worship in downtown Wilmington date from the 18th and 19th centuries and, in addition to providing opulent settings for large congregations, figure prominently on historic tours of the area. St. James Episcopal at the corner of Market and South 3rd, St. Mary Catholic on South 5th, Temple of Israel with its distinctive gold onion-shaped domes, St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran on Market Street, First Presbyterian on South 3rd (whose minister from 1874 to 1885 was President Woodrow Wilson's father, the Rev. Joseph R. Wilson) and St. Stephen AME all represent fascinating history and architecture for the visitor. (See our Attractions chapter for more information on historic churches.)

In terms of identifiable religions throughout Wilmington and the entire Cape Fear region, a breakdown of churches in New Hanover County is a good indicator of who is worshipping where. The largest Christian denomination in sheer number of churches in Wilmington and New Hanover is Baptist, with Southern Baptists leading the way with at least 42. There are another 19 Baptist churches, including Free Will, Independent and Missionary. The next largest group is the Presbyterians, with 21 congregations. AME and United Methodist are next, with 16 houses of worship apiece.

Nondenominational Christian, Episcopal, Holiness, Pentecostal and AME Zion make up the next tier, with 11 to 12 churches each. Other religions with a strong presence in the area include Jewish, Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witnesses, Full Gospel, Greek Orthodox, Advent Christian, Christian Science, Islam, Lutheran, Quaker, Unitarian, Metropolitan Community, Seventh Day Adventist, Unity, Eckankar and others.

An unusual sight in Bolivia, in Brunswick County, is the Thai temple rising from the coastal forests. The North Carolina Association of Buddhists has been building this temple for nearly a decade and has relied on community donations to complete the work. It represents an important addition to the region's religious and philosophical centers.

Visitors to the area can expect to be heartily welcomed into its churches and temples. The Sunday edition of the Wilmington Star-News has a comprehensive listing that includes denomination, location and service hours. The yellow pages of the BellSouth telephone book and the business section of the community phone book provide listings of churches and temples by denomination. For detailed tour information on area churches, refer to our Attractions chapter.

If you want to attend church services while you're on vacation and you're wondering what to wear, here's some advice: Cape Fear coast people don't dress up too much for work, love to wear very casual clothes on the beach, but generally dress for worship. You'll probably be more comfortable at a local church or temple if you arrive in a suit and tie or dress for services, but, as one parishioner from St. James Episcopal remarked, "Oh, we don't mind how they dress as long as they come. In fact, when we see them in their vacation clothes, that lets us know they're from out of town and it gives us a chance to welcome them." Probably the only vacation dress not welcome in houses of worship is a swimsuit and flip-flops. Incidentally, beach attire is inappropriate for any place beyond the beach.

The history of churches in the Cape Fear area could fill several books. Many of the region's larger churches were occupied by British or Union troops, and historical commentary about those episodes conjure up dramatic pictures. Imagine, if you will, the courtyards of downtown Wilmington churches populated by weary soldiers for so long that their camp fires permanently blackened the steeples. If you want to know more, drop by the North Carolina Room at the New Hanover County Public Library in downtown Wilmington and ask for information.

Wilmington and the Cape Fear area have an abundance of spiritual resources in terms of bookstores. Mainstream Christian shoppers will enjoy The Bible Book and Gift Center, 5015 Wrightsville Avenue, Wilmington, (910) 791-3911, a store that serves all Christian denominations with bibles, tapes, and music. Cox Christian Bookstore, 75 South Kerr Avenue, (910) 762-2272, and 2222 South 16th Street, (910) 392-0410, is another good reference spot.