possibly Germantown Baptist Church, Germantown, TN. They may be just under the cutoff line. Not sure.

germantownbaptist.org

The old Lakewood facility is now owned by New Light Christian Center - I.V. Hilliard.

The LA Forum is owned and used by Faithful Central Bible Church and according to their website can seat up to 17,800.

I'm I'm reading the FBC Woodstock GA completion date correctly (1987?), I'm sure it's wrong. Seems to me their new facility was completed in the last 4 years or so--and it may be larger than the 7500 number, if that's the case.

Prestonwood Baptist Church Plano, TX seats 7000+

What about Lake Pointe in Rockwall, TX. They bought Larry Lea's Church on the Rock after his scandal. Their website says it seats 5,000.

Also Shiloh Missionary in Jacksonville Florida where Darrell Gilyard pastored. I think it seats 5,000.

It makes sense that the median size of auditoriums wouldn't increase.

It's like processor technology (in computers). We don't make huge advancements in processor speed or efficiency anymore, but instead focus on putting 3 or 4 processors in a machine.

Multi-site!

Slight off-topic:

I wonder, if we get our churches to 7, 14 or 20,000, then what?

Joseph,

You are right-- off topic. Any suggestions for large auditoriums? ;-)

Ed

Would Saddleback be included in this?

Check Casas Adobes Baptist (they just say "Casas") I think it is right at it... (Tucson, AZ)

Ed,

A few I know of:

Crossroads Church, OKC - claimed to seat over 5,000 last I knew.

Calvary Church, Charlotte - I have read that it seats 6,000

Second Baptist Houston West Campus facility - I have read that it seats 5,000

Victory Church, Tulsa - 5,000

Lakepointe Church Rockwall - Close to 5,000

Cornerstone San Antonio - I have read that it could seat 5,000 when it opened

Trinity Baptist Jacksonville - Seems like I read that it could seat 5000 at one point in time.

West Angeles COGIC - 5,000

As for post above, Germantown BC seats about 3,500.

World Harvest Church, Columbus, Ohio: I believe they seat 5200.

National Church of God in Washington D.C.
I think may need to be on there...

what does it mean, when churches with smaller facilities have more members than churches with larger buildings?

Rhema Bible Church in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma claims a congregation of 8,000 but does not divulge its seating capacity on its web site.

Christian Life Center Stockton CA

Fellowship of the Woodlands, The Woodlands, TX, Kerry Shook Pastor.

At $3800 per seat, $19 million to build the smallest auditorium mentioned and $62 million to build the largest. If not paid off earlier somehow, the oldest one listed (aside from 1923!--the one built in 1981) paid off in 2006, at an amortization rate of 25 years (mortgage payment monthly: $165,000 = $49 million with interest for smallest auditorium); all the present and future assets of the congregation were pledged to the lender until the loan was paid off--and the congregation, by contract, promised to stay in business until then.

Eight-and-a-half years after building a new 1800-seat auditorium, a congregation I used to serve as church administrator still only has 1200 people present for worship on Sunday mornings--in 2 services, so 600 worshippers surrounded by 1200 empty seats during each service (can we say, "Overbuilt"?)--but the congregation still owes about $2 million on its loan, so it's paying for 1200 so-far-empty seats ($30,000+ mortgage payment each month--for another 17 years if not paid off early).

One reason churches can't reach the people they want to reach and/or keep the people they do reach: normal migration/attrition in their cities (every city). Neighborhoods/cities transition--usually downward (sorry!) in terms of socio-economics. My view: smaller multi-sites is better than single large sites (expensive either way).

Interesting: Valentine weekend in 2002, my wife and I visited the second morning worship service of Prestonwood-Dallas. That morning, the congregation's current teaching pastor was present in-view-of-call. My wife and I and about 7000 other people had to get in line while waiting for 7000 people to exit from the first worship service that morning--it was a cool experience (but my wife didn't like the looooonnnnnggg walk back to the car afterwards, and said she couldn't attend that church as a member because of it; I was still excited about being in line to get into a church!).

Maybe Brentwood and Brookhollow churches in Houston?

Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale - Pastor Bob Coy http://www.calvaryftl.org/

I'm pretty sure that Cathedral of the Cross (Assembly of God) near Birmingham, Alabama would be of a comparable size.

Mt. Paran North COG in Atlanta, possibly?

What about Fellowship church Ed Young Jr's Irving TX

Hunter Street Baptist in Hoover AL

Jentezen Franklin's church in Gainsville,GA

David, it is an iteresting thought... As a missionary, i hate the fact that tge USA church spends MANY times more on interest than it gives to world mission (esp the unreached who have no churches ay all). However, I believe Maha church facilities help to give the church a place of influence that we would not have otherwise.I to like the multi-service use though... I also wonder how many of these churches are paid off? I believe there are a few in this list that may have been built mainly/or even ALL in cash!! Now that's the way to do it!!!

Rick Godwin of San Antonio TX, just completed their new building?
http://www.summitsa.com/

I'm great with any godly, Spirit-led decision congregations make together--including building large church buildings in order to accomodate growing numbers attending (otherwise, churches only build if they come across substantial amounts of money; cf. FUMC-Monett, MO). Cash is the way; until then, I think: solve single-site space-need problems with manpower for as long as possible (multiple services/Sunday Schools/small groups), then with a combination of manpower and money, and finally primarily with money--realizing fully what you're getting into (all present/future assets pledged to the lender, etc.). The sort-of scary thing is that, despite how well a congregation may grow numerically, its campus still sits in a neighborhood which is transitioning (few locations are timeless/unaffected ones; multiple acres in newly developing areas will be surrounded by aging homes in 20 years--and be more difficult to reach as infrastructure passes them by). I guess, though, that's one of the true tests of great church leadership: whether or not to build, not building either too soon or too late, building as debt-free as possible, and building in such a way that the congregation doesn't become a slave to migration/attrition in the years ahead. That would be a great research question, maybe: which churches have managed to accomplish these things over recent years AND to continue to experience biblical growth?

Have a fun weekend, everybody!

Faithful Central Bible Church of Los Angeles owns and now meets in the LA Forum, seating 17,500.

Calvary Church in Charlotte, according to the Insider's Guide to Charlotte by Leigh Pressley, the sanctuary does indeed seat 6,000.

Cathedral of the Cross, of East Birmingham, Alabama seats 8,000 (according to Professional Sound Advice, Inc. of Birminham).

According to their website, the Christian Life Center of Stockton, CA seats 5,800.

Victory Christian Center in Tulsa seats 5,000.

West Angeles Church of God in Christ seats 5,000.

Cornerstone Church, San Antonio: 5,000.

Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church, Jacksonville: 5,000.

------------

However, the following churches do not have facilities that seat 5,000...

Trinity Baptist in Jacksonville: 2,200.

Second Baptist, Houston-West: 4,000.

National Church of God (D.C.): 4,000.

LakePointe Church in Rockwall: 4,800.

Fellowship of the Woodlands (TX): 4,000.

Hunter Street Baptst (AL): 1,950.

Summit in San Antonio: 2,500.

Jentezen Franklin's church, Free Chapel, of Gainesville: 3,200.

Rhema Church in Broken Arrow: 4,200.

Fellowship Church (Ed Young, Jr.): 4,200.

Calvary Chapel, Fort Lauderdale: 3,650.

Mt. Paran in Atlanta: about 2,400.

Brentwood Baptist in Houston: about 2,000.

Brookhollow in Houston: 2,500.

Nice work Brett. I did read that Second Baptist West was expanding from 4000 to 5000 in their most recent expansion but don't know if it happened.

What about Highpoint Church in Arlington? Considering that the campus was a former Johnson and Johnson plant I am thinking it could seat 5000.

The Great Auditorium at Ocean Grove, New Jersey, may not strictly be a church, but services are the main feature of this structure that was erected in 1894 by the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association. The original seating was close to 10,000, but the installation of modern theater seating in 1961 reduced this to 6,200. The building is unheated and intended for summer use only. It boasts one of the 25 largest pipe organs in the world.

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, "America's Catholic Church", Washington DC

Total capacity, Upper Church (approximate): 6,000 persons

Community Bible Church .. San Antonio. I am not sure of their seating capacity but they had 13,000+ in worship last week, so it might be.

Went there 2 years ago and it is pretty big. Check http://www.communitybible.com/

New Life Church Colorado Springs - 7,000+
Calvary Assembly Winter Park 5,000 when it was built
Grace Community Church Houston 6,000+

Grace Community Church in Houston, TX actually has a seating capacity of over 10,000. We only own about 7,100 chairs right now. LOL see grace.tv then find the South Campus tab, then see available sanctuary pics.

acousticdimensions.com is a great site that has played some sort of audio/visual/acoustic and building design for many megachurches with various sizes, including Willow Creek's facilities. They know their exact seating capacities of dozens of large churches as they worked closely with the church staff on each building.

Grace community church in Houston will seat 10,200 I have interior photos if you would like me to e-mail them Completed in 2005

This list needs to be taken off the web -- it's in accurate by so many counts. Ed and I have talked. Outreach magazine's numbers are off. I have physically been to many of these churches. Some of these numbers are not even close. Angeles Temple seating over 5000? Obviously you haven't been. Jericho city of praise seating 5,000? That's off on the other end -- it's much bigger. West Angeles at 5,000? You can look at their TV broadcast and see that building isn't nearly that big. First Baptist of Hammond seating 7,500? You have got to be kidding me. Ask them if the print 7,500 programs for every Sunday. If they did, they would have well over 4,000 to throw out after every service. People read stuff like this and believe it. If you can't verify your numbers, don't print them. Outreach attendance numbers are way off, and now I'm seeing Ed print sancutary capacities that are equally as faulty. I have accurate information. John at church growth today has accurate information. We both have physically been to these churches and can give accurate info. If you are reading this, don't take what you are reading as fact -- it's not. Someone even said in a comment that they read that 2nd Baptist of Houston West had a sanctuary that seated 5,500. Incorrect. Another gave it 4,000 seats. Also incorrect. Don't guess and then print it. Go there, if necessary, and count the seats. I literally do that. Someone said National Church of God in DC seats 4000 -- incorrect. This was a good idea but it's turned into a big inaccurate mess!!

I couldn't help but comment on Glen Jackson's comments, in particular their comment about First Baptist Church in Hammond. Their new auditorium definitely seats 7,500. It has theatre seating, not pews and there are 7,500 of them. Not sure where he's getting his info. I am not sure of the seating capacity of the old FBC auditorium. I have heard 5,000 but not sure??? In case he doubts their attendance, their college has almost 2,000 students alone. If just the college students and professors attended services and no one else, there would be 2,500 in attendance. I have been to FBC and can assure you that there are many more folks there other than just their college students. In fact, with their satellites and Spanish Church, their attendance is somewhere around 15,000 each Sunday. I hope Glen's information about the other churches mentioned is more accurate.

In response to Joe Simpley's comments, I am excited to see your response to my comments. First of all, I get my research numbers the old fashioned way, from counting seats. I don't assume that websites and church builders, or churches give accurate information. I welcome your challenge with respect to First Baptist Church of Hammond, and I honestly hope that your information is right and mine is wrong. I literally count the number of seats in a row and the number of rows that exists in the sanctuary. I honestly believe that 7,500 is a stretch. I also do not believe that the entire school body, including professors come to worship services every Sunday. However I would love to know that this great ministry is ministering to 7,500 in person and another 7,500 in Spanish and alternate locations. 15,000 hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ as presented by their Bible teaching ministry is exciting to me. I'd rather be wrong than right, for Kingdom reasons. So rather than dispute, I will accept your numbers on this church and sanctuary. Realize that I place a high value on truth an integrity. I don't believe God needs us to stretch numbers to glorify Him. In the case of First Baptist of Hammond, and out of respect for you and this great church, I will accept this correction and rejoice in it. However I will not change my stance or numbers on any other church that I mentioned. If asked, I will respond with facts and even let you know when I was physically there. On another note, I do respect the effort and work of this site and Ed Setzer. I just believe that he has been given bad information that he has passed on to us, probably unintentinally.

Joe,

My apologies. Glenn is simply a commenter with an opinion.

His comment, "First Baptist of Hammond seating 7,500? You have got to be kidding me," is just his comment. We do not take it as any more than that. We use this to gather research-- and you just gave us more helpful information.

Warren Bird was gathering these sizes and then verifying them for a research project. (He has done his Ph.D. on megachurches and knows his stuff.)

Fear not... we don't just take blog comments as fact. Nor, for that matter, do we always take the advice they give. ;-)

Thanks for stopping by.

God bless,

Ed

Ed and Joe,
As you may remember Ed, I work for the leading megachurch research source, the authority on megachurches since 1985, the publisher of the largest 100 churches since 1985, lead by a PhD, who was formerly the source of Outreach Magazine's list that you particpated with. I am also the co-author of the first and only research CD on African American megachurches, to be released in April. Having contacted and visited well over one hundred megachurches, I'm a litte more than a commentator. The seating capacity of a sanctuary doesn't fit into the catgory of opinion. It's either correct or not correct. Fact: I have been to Jericho City of Praise, in fact I went by there today. Essex Contruction Company built it and I have spoken with them, the Pastor and counted the seats myself. 5,000 is not accurate. That's off by at least 2000. I have been to Angelus Temple and counted the seats myself. 5,000 is off by more than 2,000. I'll stop here because my intent is truth, not war. If you have a peace about the accuracy of your list and Warren Bird's work, so be it. You do not have to respect or receive my comments or take my suggestions. This is your blog. This list is a pretty decent list. I appreciate the work. Forgive me for insisting on it's 100% accuracy. I'm zealous about this subject. I hope you understand.

Glen,

Sorry. I don't remember us talking or who your employer is. But, my memory is fallible. ;-)

I did not realize that when you affirmed John Vaughn in your criticism of Warren Bird. That would seem to be an appropriate thing to disclose if you are criticizing Warren and praising John. Either way, I'm a big fan of John and his work. If you work for him, that's great. He is a good man and does great work. Glad you are doing it.

This blog was a request for information as Warren builds a list and does research. In the future, please do not come on my blog again and comment with phrases like, "this list needs to be taken off the web" and, "You have got to be kidding me."

It's great that you have this info-- that was the point of the post, soliciting info and suggestions. Thanks for helping Warren out.

Finally, here you are a commenter-- and, like all the other comments, that info has to be verified. Warren will do his usual professional work in verifying it.

I look forward to your list of African American megachurches-- it is sorely needed and, since you work with John, I know it will be well done.

God bless,

Ed

Let me try to clear up the confusion about the seat capacity at First Baptist Hammond, and perhaps a few other projects. I am V.P. of sales for Series Seating and worked closely with Pastor Jack Schaap when we provided the custom pew seating there. Anyone who estimates the capacity at FBC Hammond at a specific number between 6350 and 7400 could "count" themselves correct. I will explain. These pews have 6350 self lifting seats that average about 21" in width. But since these are designed without arm dividers, the occcupants have the potential to sit closer, if they choose, and are able.

Here's how we get to the 7400. Architects are required to estimate seat capacity in continuous pews at 18" per person as a standard for figuring parking lot space reqiremnts. With 133,350 lin. inches of pew length at FBC Hammond,the capacity would translate to 7408 at 18". This semi-legitimate 18" standard is the reason many worhsip facilities assume a capacity much higher than the actual head count woud reveal on a filled-to-capacity Easter Sunday, yet it is a legitimate claim, But lets face it....you have to really like each other to set at 18" spacing. American diets say no way. So technically-7400...realistically- 6350 For what it is worth, this type of pew at Hammond, like theater seats, will achieve a capacity that is 20% higher than conventioal pews.

Ron Ogden

Thank you Ron for your information. Great report. Thank you Ed for your response to me. Advice well taken.

The tone of my comments were out of line. I repent. We're all on the same team, Jesus being the head. I will forsake my criticism of Warren's work and use this blog for it's purpose, which is to be helpful to the research.

In that vain, someone already mentioned New Light Christian Center in Houston and Victory Chritian in Tulsa, but I didn't see Word of Faith International Christian in Southfield, MI, Bishop Keith Butler -- 5,000. Also First Baptist of Orlando, which by my count comes in just under 5,000 but it's an honorable mention. Family Christian Center in Munster, IN should have their new sanctuary completed by the year's end and it would make the list. I'll be sure to add anything else I have.

Ron, you know the same things that I know, pertaining to the architects estimates. This can cause the numbers to be over estimated, often times by thousands. Your point is well taken. Estimates that differ by over 1,000 seats can both be considered accurate, although in reality, the number of people who come is lower than even the lowere number. My church has individual seats, and in the past, others have overestimated our seating by over 1,400 seats. We used to wonder why thousands came every Sunday but never gave. Now we know that they didn't give because they didn't exist.

I will continue to look at my research to see what else I can add. God is doing great things -- let's get the word out!!

Glen Jackson

Thank you Ron for your information. Great report. Thank you Ed for your response to me. Advice well taken.

The tone of my comments were out of line. I repent. We're all on the same team, Jesus being the head. I will forsake my criticism of Warren's work and use this blog for it's purpose, which is to be helpful to the research.

In that vain, someone already mentioned New Light Christian Center in Houston and Victory Chritian in Tulsa, but I didn't see Word of Faith International Christian in Southfield, MI, Bishop Keith Butler -- 5,000. Also First Baptist of Orlando, which by my count comes in just under 5,000 but it's an honorable mention. Family Christian Center in Munster, IN should have their new sanctuary completed by the year's end and it would make the list. I'll be sure to add anything else I have.

Ron, you know the same things that I know, pertaining to the architects estimates. This can cause the numbers to be over estimated, often times by thousands. Your point is well taken. Estimates that differ by over 1,000 seats can both be considered accurate, although in reality, the number of people who come is lower than even the lowere number. My church has individual seats, and in the past, others have overestimated our seating by over 1,400 seats. We used to wonder why thousands came every Sunday but never gave. Now we know that they didn't give because they didn't exist.

I will continue to look at my research to see what else I can add. God is doing great things -- let's get the word out!!

Glen Jackson

Glenn,

You are forgiven. God bless and thank you for your work.

Ed

Dear Glen and Ed:

Didn't mean to stir up a fight! Just kidding. Really, though, I do enjoy a good discussion and it looks to me like that is what we've had. I would really be curious to hear Ron's take on the seating capacity at First Baptist's old auditorium. (Now called Jack Hyles memorial auditorium.) Reason being, I always did what Glen did and count the pews and multiply by however many I thought could comfortably sit in them. The old auditorium is a little tricky, however, because of their mezzanine and seating areas behind the balcony proper. Do you have any notes on the old FBC auditorium, Ron?
I do appreciate Ron's clarification on the way that churches come up with their seating capacity as far as theatre seating goes. I, unlike Glen, tend to take the pastor's word - especially since I am somewhat familiar with FBC Hammond. Since it appears that 7,500 is not an unrealistic claim, I am happy I wasn't duped! (At least no too badly!)
One last thing I would clarify is that, whether you agree with the rule or not, all Hyles Anderson College staff and students are required to attend Sunday services at First Baptist Church in Hammond. I realize that this does not mean that every service 100% of all staff and students will be there. However, the vast majority of students, facutly and staff will be in services on Sunday at the church-house.
One more last thing! I do know that First Baptist's published attendance reports are not from their Sunday AM auditorium crowd. They are from their Sunday School attendance. This is a "head-count" number that I believe is pretty accurate. If you'll remember, after Dr. Hyles died, FBC's numbers went down for a while and have steadily increased to where they are reporting now. The last report I saw put FBC at the 14th largest congregation in the United States. Another interesting tidbit (at least I found it interesting) was the spike and then drop in attendance at Thomas Road Baptist Church (the late Dr. Falwell's pastorate). I just thought the swings were pretty extreme for whatever reason.

Good Day All,
Joe Shipley
Reedsburg, WI

Is there an updated list for chruches seating 5,000 + in Georgia? Prefer middle Ga or surrounding atlanta area
I am hosting a benefit Point Of Grace concert ( www.pointofgrace.net) and am searching for a venue, and would prefer a chruch setting!
Any advice is helpful!!

Thanks and God Bless!

Crossroads Church (formerly Crossroads Cathedral) in OKC seats over 5000. I was an attendee before/during/and after construction (walked the cat walk and ceiling one night while it was under construction).

Interesting point in rebuttal to another comment about financing construction: It was built and payed for as construction progressed with only a small balance financed toward the end to wrap up construction before the contract terminated. That balance was paid for very quickly following.