Tempe's Faith Communities Are Also Civic Communities

If you've ever wanted to get more connected in Tempe but didn't know where to start, the answer might surprise you: some of the most active civic hubs in the city aren't neighborhood associations or city hall committees. They're congregations. Holy Spirit Catholic Church on the south side of Tempe runs a steady calendar of community-facing work that goes well beyond Sunday services. Their food pantry is actively collecting cake mix, icing, chili, canned beans, and mac and cheese right now — drop-offs are welcome, and every contribution goes directly to neighbors in need. If you're a knitter or crocheter, they host a weekly Friday morning gathering in the Social Hall for fellowship and handwork. And if you've got a green thumb, they're currently looking for volunteers to help with fall planting in their prayer garden. Hanley Hall is the hub for much of this activity — worth knowing the name if you're going to show up. For residents drawn to a more experimental, practice-based approach to community spirituality, Tempe Church takes a different shape. Each month they center a specific spiritual practice as a community — rotating disciplines meant to deepen connection rather than reinforce routine. They also publish a community events calendar and run small groups for people who want something more intimate than a Sunday service. Both communities share something essential: they're organized, they're local, and they're genuinely trying to build something together rather than just maintain an institution. This is the civic infrastructure that doesn't show up in city budget documents but shapes neighborhoods just as much. If you're new to Tempe or simply looking for a point of entry into community life, these are real doors you can walk through. The City of Tempe also maintains its own calendar of events and meetings at Tempe City Hall, 31 E. 5th St., for residents who want to track what's happening across the city — faith and civic life, it turns out, run on overlapping schedules.