Rome, Jerusalem and Mecca are focal points of faith pilgrimages, but in this economy, you might not want to travel so far from home to make a spiritual journey. Fortunately, Augusta has several noteworthy destinations for faithful travelers. Here's a sampling.

MORE SPIRITUAL DESTINATIONS

SAVANNAH, GA.

Congregation Mickve Israel

WHAT: Mickve Israel is the oldest Jewish congregation in the South and the third-oldest in the country. In 1733, Jews of Spanish and Portuguese heritage journeyed to Savannah, carrying with them a scroll of the Torah written on deerskin which is on display today.

PLAN A VISIT: Take a tour of the only Gothic-style synagogue in America and visit the museum from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2-4 p.m. Monday-Friday

WHERE: 20 E. Gordon St.

CALL: (912) 233-1547 or go to mickveisrael.org.

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, GA.

Epworth by the Sea

WHAT: A conference and retreat center at the site of Fort Frederica, established in 1735. The founder of Methodism, John Wesley, an Anglican priest, served there as a missionary. The retreat center is named after his home in England.

PLAN A VISIT: Book an overnight stay or make a day trip to the museum, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday- Saturday

WHERE: 100 Arthur J. Moore Drive

CALL: (912) 638-8688 or go to epworthbythesea.org.

ATLANTA

Ebenezer Baptist Church

WHAT: Martin Luther King Jr. was ordained in and was co-pastor at Ebenezer Baptist. The church was founded in 1886 by a former slave.

PLAN A VISIT: The church's Heritage Sanctuary is closed for repairs, but a reopening is scheduled for late this year. The grounds and tomb are open to visitors.

WHERE: 407 Auburn Ave.

CALL: (404) 688-7300 or go to www.historicebenezer.org.

CONYERS, GA.

Monastery of the Holy Spirit

WHAT: The monastery of the Holy Spirit is home to 40 Trappist monks. It was founded in 1944 by a group of monks from Kentucky, who over 15 years, built the Abbey Church.

PLAN A VISIT: Visitors are welcome daily from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. No reservations are needed to visit the church, gift shop or lake. Retreats, which require a reservation, are held throughout the year on topics such as contemplative prayer and vocation discernment.

WHERE: 2625 Georgia Highway 212 S.W.

CALL: (770) 483-8705 or go to trappist.net

CHARLESTON, S.C.

Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim

WHAT: Beth Elohim has the country's oldest synagogue in continuous use. The congregation, the nation's fourth oldest, was instrumental in the birth of Reform Judaism in America in 1873. The current structure dates to 1840.

PLAN A VISIT: The synagogue, museum and gift shop are open from 10 a.m. to noon Monday-Friday. Services are at 8:15 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday.

WHERE: 90 Hasell St.

CALL: (843) 723-1090 or go to www.kkbe.org.

First Baptist Church

WHAT: First Baptist Church dates to 1682, making it the oldest Baptist church in the South. Its current sanctuary was built in 1822.

PLAN A VISIT: Sanctuary tours are held from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

WHERE: 48 Meeting St.

CALL: (843) 722-3896 or go to fbcharleston.org.

Old St. Andrews Parish Church

WHAT: This Episcopal church dates to 1706, making it the oldest surviving church in South Carolina.

VISIT: Services are held at 8, 9:15 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday

WHERE: 2604 Ashley River Road

CALL: (843) 766-1541 or go to oldstandrews.org