Lakeland, Florida

===Religion===
[[File:Pfeiffer Chapel HABS, FLA,53-LAKE,1A-14.jpg|thumb|right|Annie Pfeiffer Chapel]]In 1913, the Wolfson family arrived from [[Lithuania]] and became the first [[Jewish people|Jewish]] settlers to the area.<ref name="First Jewish Settlers">{{cite web
 |url          = http://www.polkcountyhistory.org/pdf/sept02.pdf
 |page         = 1
 |title        = First Jewish Settlers
 |date         = October 2002
 |access-date  = September 26, 2010
 |publisher    = Polk County Historical Association
 |url-status   = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110727183406/http://www.polkcountyhistory.org/pdf/sept02.pdf
 |archive-date = July 27, 2011
 |df           = mdy-all
}}</ref> After some struggles, the Jewish community in Lakeland flourished and the first synagogue, Temple Emanuel opened in 1932.<ref name="Temple Emanuel History">{{cite web
 |url          = http://www.polkcountyhistory.org/pdf/sept02.pdf
 |title        = Temple Emanuel History
 |date         = October 2002
 |access-date  = September 26, 2010
 |publisher    = Billy.
 |url-status   = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110727183406/http://www.polkcountyhistory.org/pdf/sept02.pdf
 |archive-date = July 27, 2011}}</ref>  
The [[Rohr Jewish Learning Institute]] presents classes and seminars in Lakeland in partnership with Chabad of Lakeland.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Steve|first1=Steiner|title=Two-part seminar to examine torture, negotiating|url=http://yoursun.com/sunnews/bartow/9583283-699/story.html.csp|agency=The Polk County Democrat|date=August 2015}}</ref>

Lakeland is home to the Swaminarayan [[Hindu Temple]], which was established in 2005.<ref name="Religion in Polk">{{cite web
| url = http://www.theledger.com/article/20080316/NEWS/803160428?p=3&tc=pg
| title = Religion in Polk
| access-date = September 26, 2010
| publisher = Lakeland
}}</ref>

In 1994, the first and only [[mosque]] in the county was established. It was called Masjid Aisha, but is now called the Islamic Center of Lakeland.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

Christianity makes up the largest religious group in Lakeland. As of 2013, an estimated 300 churches existed with an address in the city.<ref name="Counting Lakeland's Churches">{{cite web
| url = http://defendersoftherealm.net/hpincket/lakeland-churches/
| title = Churches in Lakeland, FL
| access-date = December 2, 2013
}}</ref>