All of the largest church auditoriums in the world have one
thing in common; they are all an architectural masterpiece.
thing in common; they are all an architectural masterpiece.
Normally, you would expect church auditoriums to be built
with more than just concrete as cement as these buildings which are always magnificent
to look at are also massive.
with more than just concrete as cement as these buildings which are always magnificent
to look at are also massive.
As it turns out, most of the largest church auditoriums are
in Nigeria and from the Protestant denomination. This is something you would
expect as Nigeria is one of the most religious countries in the world. In fact,
a 2010 report by the Pew Research Center stated that 48.3% of Nigeria’s 182
million populations was Christian.
in Nigeria and from the Protestant denomination. This is something you would
expect as Nigeria is one of the most religious countries in the world. In fact,
a 2010 report by the Pew Research Center stated that 48.3% of Nigeria’s 182
million populations was Christian.
This has driven many large churches in Nigeria to erect
large structures to accommodate their ever-expanding members.
large structures to accommodate their ever-expanding members.
In this article, you will find the Top 10 largest church
auditoriums in the world based on the human sitting capacity of the
auditoriums.
auditoriums in the world based on the human sitting capacity of the
auditoriums.
1. Redeemed Christian Church of God
Being the biggest church in Nigerian with over 2 million
attending members it should not come as a surprise that the church has the
largest church auditorium in the world.
attending members it should not come as a surprise that the church has the
largest church auditorium in the world.
The Redeemed Christian Church of God campground by the
Lagos-Ibadan Expressway can accommodate more than one million worshippers at a
time. The 3 kilometer-long auditorium reportedly costs about $60 million to
construct and was commissioned by the present General overseer of the church,
Pastor Enoch Adeboye.
Lagos-Ibadan Expressway can accommodate more than one million worshippers at a
time. The 3 kilometer-long auditorium reportedly costs about $60 million to
construct and was commissioned by the present General overseer of the church,
Pastor Enoch Adeboye.
The church campground has a human sitting capacity of 3
million.
million.
2. Dunamis International Gospel Centre
The Glory Dome of the Dunamis International Gospel Centre
was completed in 2018 and upon completion, it was unofficially referred to as
the largest church auditorium in the world.
was completed in 2018 and upon completion, it was unofficially referred to as
the largest church auditorium in the world.
Unlike the Redeemed Christian Church of God campground, the
Glory Dome is in an enclosed space which makes it more of an auditorium than
the former.
Glory Dome is in an enclosed space which makes it more of an auditorium than
the former.
The Glory Dome which is located in Abuja has a 100,000 seat
capacity.
capacity.
According to the founder of the church, Dr. Paul Enenche,
the architectural design of the church was done by the members of the church.
He also did not disclose the cost of building the auditorium but we expect it
would be around billions of Naira.
the architectural design of the church was done by the members of the church.
He also did not disclose the cost of building the auditorium but we expect it
would be around billions of Naira.
The 13-storey high masterpiece is the product of the effort
of about 5,000 workers during a period of 4 years.
of about 5,000 workers during a period of 4 years.
The Glory Dome upon completion unseated the Faith Tabernacle
owned by the Living Faith Church Worldwide (Winners’ Chapel) as the largest
church auditorium in the world.
owned by the Living Faith Church Worldwide (Winners’ Chapel) as the largest
church auditorium in the world.
3. Faith Tabernacle
Once recognized as the largest auditorium in the world by
Guinness Book of Records in 2008, the Faith Tabernacle owned by the Living
Faith Church Worldwide (Winners’ Chapel) boasts of a 50,000 seat capacity with
extra space to accommodate an overflow 250,000 more worshippers.
Guinness Book of Records in 2008, the Faith Tabernacle owned by the Living
Faith Church Worldwide (Winners’ Chapel) boasts of a 50,000 seat capacity with
extra space to accommodate an overflow 250,000 more worshippers.
The Faith Tabernacle is the evangelical headquarters of the
Living Faith Church Worldwide. The megachurch which covers a land size of 70
hectares is located in Canaanland, Ota, Lagos Nigeria was built in a space of
12 months.
Living Faith Church Worldwide. The megachurch which covers a land size of 70
hectares is located in Canaanland, Ota, Lagos Nigeria was built in a space of
12 months.
The Faith Tabernacle has an attendance of 50,000 people in
the host ground for the annual service of the Living Faith Church Worldwide titled
“Shiloh”.
the host ground for the annual service of the Living Faith Church Worldwide titled
“Shiloh”.
The Living Faith Church Worldwide is run by Bishop David Oyedopo
who founded the church on December 11, 1953. In 2014, the church reportedly had
branches in 65 countries.
who founded the church on December 11, 1953. In 2014, the church reportedly had
branches in 65 countries.
4. TAC Auditorium
The TAC Auditorium just like the RCCG campground is the
convention center of The Apostolic Church Nigeria.
convention center of The Apostolic Church Nigeria.
The Auditorium which took about 25 years to complete has a sitting
capacity of 100,000. This could make it one of the largest church auditoriums
in Nigeria, Africa, and the world.
capacity of 100,000. This could make it one of the largest church auditoriums
in Nigeria, Africa, and the world.
The auditorium which is used to host the annual convention
of the church was first located in Ebute Metta before being moved to its present
location in Olorunda-Ketu, a suburb of Ikorodu in Lagos State.
of the church was first located in Ebute Metta before being moved to its present
location in Olorunda-Ketu, a suburb of Ikorodu in Lagos State.
Although the actual cost of constructing and furnishing the
auditorium is unknown it would be expected to flow into billions of naira.
auditorium is unknown it would be expected to flow into billions of naira.
5. Deeper Life Bible Church National Headquarters
Valued at over N5 billion, the Deeper Life Bible Church
National Headquarters was completed in 2016 and is one of the biggest church
auditoriums in the world.
National Headquarters was completed in 2016 and is one of the biggest church
auditoriums in the world.
The 30,000 seat capacity auditorium was a church project
that had gone on for about 13 years before its completion, although, it initially
proposed to last for 8 years.
that had gone on for about 13 years before its completion, although, it initially
proposed to last for 8 years.
The Deeper Christian Life Ministry which started as a study
group in 1973 became an independent ministry in 1982 and was known as the
Deeper Life Bible Church. The church has its branches spread throughout Africa,
Europe Russia, North America, and India.
group in 1973 became an independent ministry in 1982 and was known as the
Deeper Life Bible Church. The church has its branches spread throughout Africa,
Europe Russia, North America, and India.
The Deeper Life Bible Church Headquarters which is located
at Gbagada, Lagos State was commissioned in April 2018 by the General
Superintendent of Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi
with Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo among the Dignitaries.
at Gbagada, Lagos State was commissioned in April 2018 by the General
Superintendent of Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi
with Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo among the Dignitaries.
6. The Hand of God
Although near completion, the Hand of God auditorium owned
by the Salvation Ministries is set to become one of the largest church
auditoriums in the world.
by the Salvation Ministries is set to become one of the largest church
auditoriums in the world.
The auditorium is designed to look like a hand with five
fingers hence the name “the hand of God.
fingers hence the name “the hand of God.
The auditorium which is located in Igwuruta, Port Harcourt
in Rivers State, will reportedly have a 90,000 seat capacity and is set to
become an architectural masterpiece.
in Rivers State, will reportedly have a 90,000 seat capacity and is set to
become an architectural masterpiece.
Salvation Ministries is a Pentecostal church founded by
David Ibiyeomie in April 1987. The church began with just 34 members during its
first years but today boasts of millions of worshippers worldwide.
David Ibiyeomie in April 1987. The church began with just 34 members during its
first years but today boasts of millions of worshippers worldwide.
7. MFM Temple
With a seating capacity of 500,000 and an overflow capacity
of 250,000, the MFM temple is one of the largest auditoriums in the world just
under the Redeemed Christian Church of God auditorium.
of 250,000, the MFM temple is one of the largest auditoriums in the world just
under the Redeemed Christian Church of God auditorium.
The Mountain of Fire And Miracles Ministries was founded by
Dr. Daniel Kolawole Olukoya (DKO) in 1989 and is one of the largest Pentecostal
churches in Nigeria.
Dr. Daniel Kolawole Olukoya (DKO) in 1989 and is one of the largest Pentecostal
churches in Nigeria.
The church which began as a prayer group in Dr. Olukoya’s
living room in 1989 has grown to be one of the largest churches in the world
with worshippers in several countries all around the globe.
living room in 1989 has grown to be one of the largest churches in the world
with worshippers in several countries all around the globe.
8. KICC Prayer Dome
Established in 1992 by Matthew Ashimolowo, the Kingsway
International Christian Centre (KICC) is one of the largest Pentecostal
churches in Nigeria based on attendance.
International Christian Centre (KICC) is one of the largest Pentecostal
churches in Nigeria based on attendance.
The church which began with just 200 adults and 100 children
has grown to up to 12,000 people in attendance at the main church every Sunday.
The church also has a presence in over 46 countries with the bulk of its
members from West Africa.
has grown to up to 12,000 people in attendance at the main church every Sunday.
The church also has a presence in over 46 countries with the bulk of its
members from West Africa.
The KICC prayer dome with a seating capacity of 20,000
people was officially opened in May 2014 by Matthew Ashimolowo. The prayer dome
is used for a host of events like crusades, concerts, drama acts, film shows,
and conferences.
people was officially opened in May 2014 by Matthew Ashimolowo. The prayer dome
is used for a host of events like crusades, concerts, drama acts, film shows,
and conferences.
The auditorium which was designed by a foreign company is
oval shaped with state of the art lightning and ventilation systems.
oval shaped with state of the art lightning and ventilation systems.
The KICC prayer dome is located in Mende, Maryland, Lagos.
9. Lakewood Church
Founded in 1959, Lakewood church is one of the largest
congregational non-denominational charismatic Christian megachurches in the
USA.
congregational non-denominational charismatic Christian megachurches in the
USA.
The church which was once a Baptist Church is located in
Houston, Texas USA, and headed by Joel Scott Osteen. It averages about 52,000
attendees per week.
Houston, Texas USA, and headed by Joel Scott Osteen. It averages about 52,000
attendees per week.
The Lakewood Church building has one of the largest seating
capacities in the USA with 16,800 seats.
capacities in the USA with 16,800 seats.
10. Salem Baptist Church
Closing our list of top 10 largest church auditoriums in the
world is the Salem Baptist Church located in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
world is the Salem Baptist Church located in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
The church which is a Baptist megachurch began in 1985 after
193 people gathered under the direction of Rev. Gordon A. Humphrey to form a
new church family. Rev James T. Meeks was then elected to serve as pastor. Rev
Meeks thereafter named the church “Salem” denoting peace.
193 people gathered under the direction of Rev. Gordon A. Humphrey to form a
new church family. Rev James T. Meeks was then elected to serve as pastor. Rev
Meeks thereafter named the church “Salem” denoting peace.
The congregation meets in a 10,000 seat facility known as
the House of Hope. The facility which was opened in 2005 is used for various
activities like worship services, music concerts, sporting events, and other
events.
the House of Hope. The facility which was opened in 2005 is used for various
activities like worship services, music concerts, sporting events, and other
events.
That concludes our list of the top 10 largest church
auditoriums in the world. From the one million capacity campground of the
Redeemed Christian Church of God to the 10,000 seat capacity of the Salem
Baptist Church in Chicago, we got everything covered.
auditoriums in the world. From the one million capacity campground of the
Redeemed Christian Church of God to the 10,000 seat capacity of the Salem
Baptist Church in Chicago, we got everything covered.
Although the Living Faith Church proposed a new auditorium
known as the “Faith Tabernacle” which is expected to have a 100,000 seat
capacity, we decided to exclude it from our list due to the fact that it is
nowhere near completion.
known as the “Faith Tabernacle” which is expected to have a 100,000 seat
capacity, we decided to exclude it from our list due to the fact that it is
nowhere near completion.