Megachurches aren’t just massive buildings—they bring massive numbers, reach, and modern-day ministry on a whole new scale. In the United States, a megachurch is typically defined as one with over 2,000 regular attendees, but the biggest ones attract tens of thousands every week. This article lists 15 of the largest megachurches in the U.S. and what makes them stand out.
Gateway Church – Southlake, Texas
Gateway Church started with fewer than 200 people in a hotel ballroom in 2000. Today, it reaches an estimated 19,000 weekly attendees across multiple campuses and ministries. Senior Pastor Robert Morris has led since the beginning, and Gateway’s worship music has also found commercial success.
Second Baptist Church – Houston, Texas
Second Baptist is one of the largest traditional Baptist churches in the country, clocking in around 19,735 weekly attendees. It combines conservative doctrine with large-scale operations. The church also places high value on education, with its own K–12 school system as part of the ministry.
Life.Church – Edmond, Oklahoma
Life.Church was livestreaming sermons long before it was common. It now operates over 30 campuses nationwide and sees about 76,000 people weekly. The church also created the free YouVersion Bible app. Its reach extends beyond Oklahoma and is fueled by tech and steady evangelical roots.
Lakewood Church – Houston, Texas
Lakewood Church, founded in 1959 by John Osteen, experienced explosive growth after his son Joel Osteen became senior pastor in 1999. It is known for its high-energy worship services, televised sermons, and diverse programming, including services in Spanish. It’s one of the most well-known megachurches in the U.S.
Church of the Highlands – Birmingham, Alabama
Chris Hodges and a small team launched Church of the Highlands in 2001, and it didn’t take long to grow. One of its more unique additions is The Lodge at Grants Mill, a retreat center designed to support pastors facing burnout, which is an ongoing issue in modern ministry.
Eagle Brook Church – Centerville, Minnesota
Once a small Bible study group in 1948, Eagle Brook stayed under the radar for decades before expansion took off in the 2000s. After relocating to Lino Lakes, weekly attendance surged to around 40,000. The church relies heavily on video teaching and maintains a non-denominational identity with Baptist-leaning values.
Southeast Christian Church – Louisville, Kentucky
Southeast Christian has grown from a congregation of 53 to nearly 40,000 weekly attendees. Some reports push that number closer to 50,000 when online viewership is factored in. Spread across more than a dozen campuses, it continues expanding throughout Kentucky.
Christ’s Church of the Valley – Peoria, Arizona
CCV’s story starts in 1982 inside a rented movie theater. Before building its first permanent space in 1996, it met in malls and high schools. It’s a standout in Arizona’s faith scene, and it is currently pastored by Ashley Wooldridge.
Crossroads Church – Cincinnati, Ohio
Crossroads is more interdenominational and often combines traditional worship with a casual tone, aiming to reach those who feel church isn’t for them. Eleven families raised funds for a building that seated 1,200. Fast forward to today, and about 35,000 people attend weekly across eight campuses and the “Anywhere” online platform.
Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale – Fort Lauderdale, Florida
This Florida-based megachurch started as a small Bible study but expanded under the Calvary Chapel movement’s broader reach. The church emphasizes expository Bible teaching and maintains a casual but structured worship environment. Calvary Fort Lauderdale has also developed strong local partnerships and community outreach programs.
Saddleback Church – Lake Forest, California
Saddleback’s success stems from listening early on. Warren famously interviewed locals to learn why they avoided church and then built services around those answers. Saddleback gained global recognition for hosting political summits and humanitarian initiatives.
Fellowship Church – Grapevine, Texas
Fellowship Church is known for energetic preaching, creative sermon series, and a significant media presence. Weekly attendance hovers around 24,000. Fellowship places heavy emphasis on family life, leadership, and pop-culture-savvy programming by often featuring elaborate stage designs and visual storytelling in its services.
North Point Community Church – Alpharetta, Georgia
Led by Andy Stanley since 1995, North Point’s mission centers on making the church accessible to people who’ve never been interested in it. It’s known for polished programming, community groups, and youth engagement. Podcasts, music, and global outreach initiatives round out its efforts to connect both locally and digitally.
The Potter’s House – Dallas, Texas
This church has around 17,000 weekly attendees and is known for its vibrant worship services, outreach programs, and national conferences. Bishop Jakes’ sermons often gain traction across social media, and his influence extends into film, publishing, and civic life.
NewSpring Church – Anderson, South Carolina
NewSpring transitioned to a team-based leadership model after founder Perry Noble stepped down in 2016. It rapidly became one of the largest churches in the Southeast and now draws about 23,000 weekly attendees. It’s known for its worship music, youth outreach, and strong digital presence across South Carolina.