The World’s 10 Largest Church Buildings
The 10 largest church buildings in the world today for any recognized denomination of Christianity.
The derivation of the word church has been much debated. For the purpose of this article, it will be defined as any building which was built for the primary purpose of Christian worship, for any recognized denomination of Christianity. In terms of floor area, these are the 10 largest church buildings today. Masses are still held regularly in all these houses of God.
St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
The Renaissance and Baroque architectural style of St. Peter’s Basilica is considered as the greatest building of its age. With a length of 730 ft (220 m) and a width of 500 ft (150 m), it has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world, holding more than 60,000 people. The basilica is one of the holiest Christian sites and the greatest of all churches of Christendom. It was built from 1506 through 1626 with Michelangelo among its architects. The building is officially known in Italian as the Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano. It is famous as a place of pilgrimage, for its liturgical functions and historical associations.
Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida, Brazil
The new Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida was built in 1955 and designed in the form of a Greek cross. It measures 173 m (567 ft) long and 168 m (551 ft) wide, sitting up to 45,000 people. Pope John Pau II named it the most important National Marian Shrine in Brazil. It was officially declared as “the largest Marian Temple in the World” in 1984.
Cathedral of Seville, Spain
Also known as Catedral de Santa Maria de la Sede (Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See), Cathedral of Seville is claimed by some as the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. Its construction began in 1402 and continued into the 16th century. The total area covers 11,520 sq m. A great mosque used to sit on the site in the late 12th century. Christian architects later added the extra dimensions of height. Its central nave rises to a height of 42 m (137.7 ft).
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Fascinating article with some stunning photographs, the buildings are very beautiful.
Great buildings. Would like to visit them some day.
Wonderful article have to agree with Kate photo’s are awesome.
This is another super write in my way of thinking and I love the photo’s as well!
Great list. The churhes in Italy are very beautiful.
Beautiful pictures and well written article!
Great review of Christion churches. Gothic architecture and art have always fascinated me.
Great article!
I loved it.
I wish you are fine
They really are great buildings.
This is great work. I enjoyed viewing it. The artistic talent comes forth well in your works. I look forward to more pieces from you. Well done.
Beautiful church buildings. I just dont agree with the ornate factor that many religions seem to place so much time and effort on.
Did you see my latest on UFO’s?
felt like I went on Visita Iglesia.. thanks!
Excellent article! I loved the pics too.
Jk this is fantastic job. Nice to know about them. In my country, the all largest churches are modern building.
The grandeur of every church. Great article 
Great article
I kind of agree with Jo – these are magnificient buildings – a testimony to the expense and the labour of love that used to go into making places of worship which are worthy of God, but are they now museums to a lost heritage or do they still invoke worship? In Canada (and probably also in the States) our church buildings are much less ornate and the money spent on ministries to serve the community instead. I attended a beautiful, 100 year old Baptist church, I was fortunate to have been married there. It is now abandoned because the congregation could not afford to heat and maintain the building.
Spectacular buildings. I enjoyed learning about the different locations. Thanks for sharing this great information and photos.
^_^
Fantastic article. My related articles are http://www.quazen.com/Arts/Architecture/The-Most-Striking-Must-See-Churches-in-the-World-1.152139
http://www.quazen.com/Arts/Architecture/The-Must-see-Most-Striking-Churches-in-the-World-2.152153
Take care.
Nice. But, u failed to mentioned the St. Joseph Church in Montreal, it says….the second largest , next to St. Peter in Vatican.
Thanks, but sorry, St. Joseph Church in Montreal has the second largest DOME next to St. Peter’s Basilica, it’s not the second largest church building.
I’m impressed with the hard work you always put into your writings. Keep it up!
these buildings are very beautiful, but one thing is missing, the actual world largest church is not on the list which makes it in correct. the world’s largest church is actually a church called Faith tabernacle in Nigeria, with an inside capacity of 50,000 people and outside space for 250,000 people. The guinness book of records confirmed this according to the 2008 edition.
Hi, samuel, thanks for the comment. Faith Tabernacle is an auditorium.
wow… amazing churches…
Great photos and a good article! It’s nice to meet you and hope we can be friends!
great
woooh i realize i want to be an architect someday!
Its great, I like d pics
Realy it is great
Why don’t you check this chapel in the website – Central Temple or Iglesia Ni Cristo – probably the biggest “Chapel” in the world.
Awsome no word’s to define
PLEASE TRY SEARCH MORE ESPECIALLY IN THE PHILIPPINES.
I SUGGEST YOU MUST INCLUDE IN THE CRITERIA OF SELECTING THE LARGEST CHURCH BUILDING IN RELATION TO THERE USAGE. THESE BUILDINGS MIGHT BE BIG BUT IT IS JUST LIKE A MUSEUM AND NOBODY CARES LIKE THE BIG DOME OF MILAN.
GOD is great, He deserves all we expresses our honour to Him.
The canan land in Nigeria that belong to winners´ chapel in Nigeria can take up to 50,000 thousand worshippers at the same time.Please try to confirm this. God is awesome!
Notre Dame is also one of the largest chuches. why don’t you add that
The largest church is
http://www.rccg.org/
Redeemed Christian Church of God
One and a half miles long by one mile wide.
Big buildings indeed. i just hope people would appreciate the Lord more than these buildings made with hands.
Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel) In Nigeria is a 50,000 capacity located near lagos in Nigeria
I SUGGEST YOU MUST INCLUDE IN THE CRITERIA OF SELECTING THE LARGEST CHURCH BUILDING IN RELATION TO THERE USAGE. THESE BUILDINGS MIGHT BE BIG BUT IT IS JUST LIKE A MUSEUM AND NOBODY CARES LIKE THE BIG DOME OF MILAN.
really great buildings
wah…..suprb photos……
These are wonderful buildings.Please clarify me: You said Faith Tabernacle in Nigeria reputed by the Guinness Book as the largest in the world is an auditorium. Please whats the difference?
OK YOU DON DO I HAVE BEEN IN IVORY COAST AND WORSHIP WITH THE CHURCH IT WAS MY BEST LIFE EXPIRENCE
I found the earthly angels responsible for all the wars in the wor,ld in the u.s and slavery and the fallen angels there in ascension parish
what will you call living faith bibile church in nigeria.
it is the world aclaimed largest church auditorium in the world but is not here in your report. Is it an over sight or what?
what about living faith church lagos nigeria?,I think the biggest church in the world has not been mentioned…..thanks,or may be you have something to tell me….
all of you are foolsssssssss idiots bastards
I would like 2 be a path taker.
the buildings are very okay
living faith is my home church
i love the buildings is okey,i will love to be there one day
virgin mary queen of hell……..90 percent of catholic priest are homosexuals… suckin penis
i like the 2nd one on the first page beter. i wonder how much they pay a month they pay for this!
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Thanks and best of luck!
Very good presentation for the Glory of God.
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I think you should also consider Gereja Reformed Injili Indonesia as one of the biggest churches in the WORLD… The church is lead by Dr.Stephen Tong…
what about living faith church world wide. it is to be the largest church auditorium, but it is not mentioned here.
the iglesia ni cristo temple in the philippines is largely based on the city in Tron (1980s) – check it out for yourself
Like a number of people have commented, Faith Tabernacle (Living Faith Church) in Nigeria should be top on the list. I hope it was not left out because it is in Nigeria. Lives are transformed every week there, unlike all those other big churches where peoples lives are never touched, year in year out.
Yoido Full gospel Church in South Korea have a capacity of 800,000 I’m sure that should top your list easily….
I love church! I’ve been to the 3rd largest church in the USA and it was huge! I can’t even think of how big these are in real life!
