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).
Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, United States
The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine in the City and Diocese of New York is claimed to be the largest Cathedral and Anglican Church and fourth largest Christian church in the world. Its interior measures 183.2 m (601 ft) long and 70.7 m (232 ft) wide. It was originally designed as Byzantine-Romanesque but was changed to Gothic. A huge fire damaged the church in 2001; construction and restoration still continues today thus earning its nickname: St. John the Unfinished.
Liverpool Cathedral, United Kingdom
The Cathedral Church of Christ in Liverpool, England is the fifth largest Cathedral in the world. It occupies a total area of 103,334 sq ft (9,600 sq m) and was built mainly of sandstone. The cathedral’s bell tower is the largest in the world and houses the world’s highest (219 ft )and heaviest (31 tons) ringing peal of bells. The 13 bells are named Bartlett Bells.
Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Portugal
The Church of the Most Holy Trinity in the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Fatima, Portugal is the fourth largest Catholic Church and the sixth largest Christian church in the world. It was constructed between 2004 and 2007 and was consecrated on October 12, 2007, on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the apparitions of Fatima. The church, dedicated to the Most Holy Trinity was entirely paid with gifts from the pilgrims. It measures 95 m (310 ft) long and 115 m (380 ft) wide, holding up to 9000 people.
Milan Cathedral, Italy
Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano) is often referred to as one of the greatest churches in the world. Its construction was started in 1386 and was only completed in 1965. The cathedral measures 157 m (515 ft) long and 92 m (302 ft) wide, sitting 40,000 people. It is the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world and one of the most famous buildings in Europe.
Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Belgium
The National Basilica of the Sacred Heart is a Roman Catholic minor basilica and parish church in Brussels, Belgium. King Leopold II laid the first stone in 1905 during the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the Belgian Independence. Halted by two World Wars, its construction was completed in 1969. Covering an area 164.5 m (540 ft) long and 107.80 m (353.7 ft) wide, it is the sixth largest Roman Catholic Church in the world and the seventh among Christian churches.
Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, Ivory Coast
The Basilica of our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro, a Roman Catholic minor basilica is listed by the Guinness World Records as the largest church in the world. It covers an area of 30,000 sq m (322,917 sq ft), accommodating 18,000 worshippers. However, the overall area count includes a rectory and villa, which are strictly not part of the church. The basilica was constructed between 1985 and 1989 and was consecrated in 1990 by Pope John Paul II.
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Licheń, Poland
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lichen is the largest church in Poland, the seventh in Europe and the tenth in the world. It was constructed from 1994 through 2004 covering an area 120 m (393 ft) long and 77 m (252 ft)wide. It was built in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and is home to a 200-year-old painting known as the “Our Lady of Sorrows, Queen of Poland.”
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38 Comments
Joe Dorish, posted this comment on Apr 23rd, 2009
Great buildings. Would like to visit them some day.
Mystical Whitewolf, posted this comment on Apr 23rd, 2009
Wonderful article have to agree with Kate photo’s are awesome.
The Quail, posted this comment on Apr 23rd, 2009
This is another super write in my way of thinking and I love the photo’s as well!
Yovita Siswati, posted this comment on Apr 23rd, 2009
Great list. The churhes in Italy are very beautiful.
DA Cournean, posted this comment on Apr 23rd, 2009
Beautiful pictures and well written article!
Westbrook, posted this comment on Apr 23rd, 2009
Great review of Christion churches. Gothic architecture and art have always fascinated me.
Gon pincha, posted this comment on Apr 23rd, 2009
Great article!
I loved it.
I wish you are fine
Judy T Lloyd, posted this comment on Apr 23rd, 2009
They really are great buildings.
Jeffrey B. Merrow, posted this comment on Apr 23rd, 2009
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.
Jo Oliver, posted this comment on Apr 23rd, 2009
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?
rutherfranc, posted this comment on Apr 23rd, 2009
felt like I went on Visita Iglesia.. thanks!
nutuba, posted this comment on Apr 23rd, 2009
Excellent article! I loved the pics too.
Eunice Tan, posted this comment on Apr 23rd, 2009
Jk this is fantastic job. Nice to know about them. In my country, the all largest churches are modern building.
MMV Abad, posted this comment on Apr 23rd, 2009
The grandeur of every church. Great article 
Evelyn Moore, posted this comment on Apr 24th, 2009
Great article
Karen Gross, posted this comment on Apr 24th, 2009
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.
OhSugar, posted this comment on Apr 24th, 2009
Spectacular buildings. I enjoyed learning about the different locations. Thanks for sharing this great information and photos.
Luffy12, posted this comment on Apr 24th, 2009
^_^
CHAN LEE PENG, posted this comment on Apr 25th, 2009
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.
Mys Lyke Meeh, posted this comment on Apr 26th, 2009
Nice. But, u failed to mentioned the St. Joseph Church in Montreal, it says….the second largest , next to St. Peter in Vatican.
JK Kristie, posted this comment on Apr 26th, 2009
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.
Likha, posted this comment on Apr 26th, 2009
I’m impressed with the hard work you always put into your writings. Keep it up!
samuel, posted this comment on Apr 27th, 2009
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.
JK Kristie, posted this comment on Apr 27th, 2009
Hi, samuel, thanks for the comment. Faith Tabernacle is an auditorium.
CutestPrincess, posted this comment on May 12th, 2009
wow… amazing churches…
Leafygreens, posted this comment on May 13th, 2009
Great photos and a good article! It’s nice to meet you and hope we can be friends!
swatilohani, posted this comment on Jun 1st, 2009
great
kyla, posted this comment on Jul 13th, 2009
woooh i realize i want to be an architect someday!
Athan, posted this comment on Aug 15th, 2009
Its great, I like d pics
jacob p george, posted this comment on Aug 29th, 2009
Realy it is great
jr, posted this comment on Sep 4th, 2009
Why don’t you check this chapel in the website – Central Temple or Iglesia Ni Cristo – probably the biggest “Chapel” in the world.
Aashish, posted this comment on Sep 12th, 2009
Awsome no word’s to define
CHITO ARAY, posted this comment on Sep 29th, 2009
PLEASE TRY SEARCH MORE ESPECIALLY IN THE PHILIPPINES.
TOCHI YARA, posted this comment on Sep 29th, 2009
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.
alafagha luke, posted this comment on Oct 15th, 2009
GOD is great, He deserves all we expresses our honour to Him.
Raphael Oluwatosin Famuyiwa, posted this comment on Oct 21st, 2009
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!
Uma, posted this comment on Oct 21st, 2009
Notre Dame is also one of the largest chuches. why don’t you add that
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Kate Smedley, posted this comment on Apr 23rd, 2009
Fascinating article with some stunning photographs, the buildings are very beautiful.