Bloomington is a large college town, home not only to Indiana University, but also to a diverse community of faith and traditions. Whether you are seeking spiritual support, connection or just a place to worship, Bloomington offers many religious centers and resources for students around the world.
Here are just a few religious centers you should know about:
Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center
Established by IU Professor Emeritus Thubten J. Norbu in 1979, the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center is a sanctuary nestled within Bloomington. The center holds the Kumbum Chamtse Ling temple and Kumbum West Monastery, offering a peaceful retreat for meditation and reflection.
Located at 3655 S. Snoddy Rd., the center provides a wide range of activities including workshops, teachings, seminars, initiations, retreats and ceremonies. More information can be found at tmbcc.org.
Islamic Center of Bloomington
The Islamic Center of Bloomington serves the Muslim community in Bloomington through prayer, Quranic study, Islamic history and Arabic language classes, youth club and other community and volunteer events.
The center, located at 1925 Atwater Ave., has events open to the public and to members of the Muslim community. You can go to icob.org for more information.
Muslim Student Association
Located at the Islamic Center of Bloomington, IU’s Muslim Student Association serves the Muslim community on campus while educating the broader student body about Islam.
This student-led group organizes weekly Halaqas, religious study circles covering diverse topics in Islam. They also host sports events run by Muslim students, invite sheikhs for seminars and educate non-Muslim students about Islam, among other events.
More information can be found at msaiub.org.
First United Methodist Church
Located at 219 E. Fourth St., the First United Methodist Church is an inclusive "Christ-centered" church that offers Sunday worship services, youth and young adult programs, community outreach and volunteering.
The church is open to anyone seeking a Christian community and offers two worship styles: Classic Worship at 9:30 a.m. and a contemporary worship service called “Common Ground” at 11:45 a.m.
More information can be found at fumcb.org.
Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship at IU
Despite a name that sounds Greek, this group is not a fraternity or sorority.
Chi Alpha is a Christian student group that holds weekly worship services and core groups, which are groups that meet throughout the week to do Bible studies, hang out and learn more about Jesus. The fellowship is open to all students exploring or practicing Christianity.
Students interested can find more information at chialphaiu.com.
Chabad at IU
Located at 703 E. Seventh St., Chabad at IU is a Jewish student organization that hosts Shabbat dinners, holiday celebrations, Judaism study groups and classes in additon toother social events.
Everyone is welcome to join the Bloomington Chabad community, and students can find more information at chabadiu.com.
IU Hillel
IU Hillel, located at The Helene G. Simon Hillel Center on 730 E. Third St., is the center of Jewish life on Bloomington’s campus. Founded in 1938, the center provides a welcoming space for Jewish students, with Shabbat, holiday celebrations and other programs.
Within IU Hillel, students can join smaller student groups including First Year Students of Hillel, Hoosiers for Israel and Yad B’yad Mentorship, which connects incoming freshman students with upper-class mentors.
More information can be found at iuhillel.org.
Didn’t see a resource that interested you? For a more extensive guide, visit carlaiu.org or guides.idsnews.com/religious to see the full range of resources in Bloomington.
This story was originally published in the Indiana Daily Student's 2026 International Student Guide.
