Community Presbyterian Church

What a beautiful example of a church opening its doors to all of God’s people. By welcoming AA meetings, this church provides a safe place for people struggling with alcoholism to find recovery, fellowship, hope, and support. People coming through these doors may be facing some of the hardest moments of their lives—and I’m grateful this church chooses compassion over judgment. This is exactly what a church should be: a place where those who are struggling are welcomed, loved, and given hope.

I've been a regular in the room that meets here for a while now, and I can only speak to what I've seen: a group that's consistently welcoming and understanding of people wherever they are in their journey. I've never once felt unsafe, and I've watched a lot of folks find their footing here one day at a time. The church is generous with the space, and the meeting is held indoors, so no worries about the weather. If you're looking for a room that feels right, this one's worth a try. Keep coming back.

I would not recommend this AA meeting to newcomers. The person running the meeting is articulate and personable and initially comes across as very welcoming. However, there appears to be a significant amount of interpersonal conflict surrounding the group. Members have been publicly singled out and criticized in group communications, including regarding their service commitments. I have also witnessed highly confrontational behavior. There have also been instances of members being criticized and confronted over political opinions outside of the meeting, including being told that if they don't like the country's values, they are free to leave the country. In my experience, members who do not agree with or align themselves with the person running the meeting can be made to feel unwelcome. Newcomers should be able to attend AA without being pulled into existing interpersonal conflicts or feeling pressured to take sides. AA should be a safe and supportive environment focused on recovery. Unfortunately, that has not been my experience with this group.

Mayport Presbyterian Church was built in 1892. It is nicknamed the 'Lighthouse Church' as it sits in the shadow of the lighthouse. The church is located in Mayport, Florida.