10 Largest Churches in the World

Churches have always stood as testaments to people’s faith and belief in God. Due to this, churches are some of the largest structures ever built in history. Churches are also some of the most beautiful and ornate works of art and architecture in the world. The large churches on this list were mostly by the Roman Catholics of the past. However, not all of the churches are still under Catholic rule and the Hagia Sophia is now a museum.

For the purposes of this list, we did not include any churches that were also cathedrals. We have covered the world’s largest cathedrals on a separate list (insert link to largest cathedrals when it goes live). As of the time of this writing, these are some of the largest churches in the world.

10. Hagia Sophia

Source: Wikimedia Commons via Dennis Jarvis

The Hagia Sophia is the only church on this list that no longer is an active church. Instead, the Hagia Sophia has been open to the public as a museum since 1935 and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world. The Hagia Sophia has an area of 7,960 square meters (85,681 square feet).

Although the Hagia Sophia no longer holds religious services, it does have a long history as religious center. The Hagia Sophia was the largest church constructed by the East Roman Empire and biggest operational cathedral in the world for several centuries.

Did You Know?

Columns from the destroyed Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, one of the seven ancient wonders of the world, were used to build the interior of the Hagia Sophia.

9. Basilica of Our Lady of Peace

Source: Wikimedia Commons via Felix Krohn

In terms of exterior area, which is 30,000 square meters (322,917.31 square feet), the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast, is the largest church in the world. However, it typically is not considered the largest church because its interior area is less than 8,000 square meters (7,989 square meters (85,993 square feet) to be exact). The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace does pay homage to St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, which is widely considered the world’s largest church.

While the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace is an impressive Catholic monument, this grandeur has always been a point of contention in the Ivory Coast. The Basilica cost $300 million to construct, but this opulent building lies in the center of an impoverished city. Reportedly, the cost of the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace doubled the Ivory Coast’s debt.

Did You Know?

The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace is constructed with marble imported from Italy and has 7,000 square meters (75,347.37 square feet) of stained glass windows from France.

8. Basilica of the Sacred Heart

Source: Wikimedia Commons via Markus Koljonen (Dilaudid)

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Koekelberg, Belgium has an area of 8,000 square meters (86,111.28 square feet). Unlike other grand Catholic churches, which were typically built in the Gothic style, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart is an Art Deco monument. The Basilica’s architect was Albert Van huffel, who died before the Basilica of the Sacred Heart was completed.

Like all great churches, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart houses some great works of art, including sculptures by two famous artists, George Minne and Harry Elstrøm. The Basilica also has stained glass windows that were designed by Beligium’s best stained glass artists in the mid-20^th century.

Did You Know?

There are two museums inside of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, the Black Sisters Museum and Modern Religious Art Museum, which has a collection of paintings and sculptures from the Diocese of Bruges.

7. Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Source: Wikimedia Commons via Janothird

The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe is the largest church in Mexico with an area of 8,167 square meters (87,909 square feet). The site that the Basilica sits on is sacred and according to tradition Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared before St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, an Aztec convert to Roman Catholicism, in 1531 and told him to build a church on the site.

The original Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe was built not long after in the 16^th century and was in use for several centuries before it became too dangerous to use any more as the foundation began to sink. The new Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe was constructed in the 1970s and now serves as the main church. The old Basilica was repaired and is now open to the public.

Did You Know?

The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe is considered one of the most important Catholic shrines in the world because it houses the original miraculous apron containing the image of the Virgin Mary.

6. Ulm Minster

Source: Wikimedia Commons via Martin Kraft under free license CC BY-SA 3.0

Ulm Minster may not be the largest church in terms of area, which is about 8,260 square meters (88,910 square feet), but it is the tallest church in the world. Ulm Minster’s steeple is 161.5 meters  (530 feet) high and towers over the city of Ulm in Germany. At one point in history, Ulm Minster was the tallest structure in the world.

Today, Ulm Minster is a Lutheran church, but it was previously a Roman Catholic cathedral first built in 1376. Construction of Ulm Minster was not completed until 1890. Ulm Minster was converted to a Lutheran church during the Reformation when with the rise of Protestantism in 1530.

Did You Know?

The organ inside of Ulm Minster was previously the largest organ in the world and was played by Amadeus Mozart.

5. Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls

Source: Wikimedia Commons via Berthold Werner

The Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls is one of Rome’s most ancient basilicas. The grounds of the Basilica were first consecrated in the 4^th century CE and the first basilica on the site was built by Emperor Constantine. This first basilica was consecrated by Pope Sylvester in 324 CE. Since then, there has always been a basilica on the site.

The current Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls has an area of 8,515 square meters (91,654.7 square feet). At the site of the complex is also an ancient Benedictine Abbey, restored by Odon of Cluny in 936 CE. Amazingly, this Abbey is still active today under the direction of its current Abbot.

Did You Know?

The Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls reportedly houses papal portraits which supposedly predict the end of the world or the Second Coming.

4. Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity

Source: Wikimedia Commons via Manuelvbotelho

The Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity is the fairly new megachurch at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fátima in Portugal. The Most Holy Trinity is the largest church in Portugal and has an area of 8,700 square meters (93,646 square feet). The Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity is large enough to house 9,000 seats and the complex also has four smaller churches.

Since the Sanctuary of  Fátima is visited by millions of people each year, a new church was needed at the site as the previous church only held a few hundred people. The Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity was built between 2004 – 2007 and has a modern architectural look.

Did You Know?

The Sanctuary of  Fátima has been an important Catholic pilgrimage center since 1917 when Holy Mary appeared to three children on several occasions.

3. Basilica of Our Lady of Licheń

Source: Wikimedia Commons via Czechu81

The Basilica of Our Lady of Licheń is the largest church in Poland with an area of 10,090 square meters (108,608 square feet). The Basilica is located at the Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows in Licheń Stary. The church is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, Queen of Poland, which is a blessed image that has been in Licheń Stary since 1857.

With the image of Our Lady of Sorrows on display, the Basilica of Our Lady of  Licheń is considered to be Poland’s most important pilgrimage site. The Basilica began construction in 1994 to replace an older church, where the Miraculous Image was being displayed. After a decade, the Basilica of Our Lady of  Licheń was consecrated on June 12, 2004.

Did You Know?

The bell tower of the Basilica of Our Lady of  Licheń is 63 meters (206.7 feet) high and houses Poland’s largest bell.

2. Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida

Source: Wikimedia Commons via Robison Camargo

The Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida is the largest church in Brazil with an area of 12,000 square meters (129,167 square feet). Our Lady of Aparecida is an important shrine to the people of Brazil and it is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, who has been the patron saint of the country since 1930.

As the second largest church in the world, the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida can reportedly hold up to 45,000 people. Since the Basilica is such an important place, millions of pilgrims visit each year to honor the Virgin Mary. Various Popes have also visited the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida, including Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis.

Did You Know?

The grounds surrounding the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida contain a shopping mall, medical clinic, and restaurants.

1. St. Peter’s Basilica

Source: Wikimedia Commons via Alvesgaspar

St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest and perhaps best known church in the world. The massive St. Peter’s Basilica resides in the heart of Vatican City and has an interior area of 15,160 square meters (163,181 square feet) and an exterior area of 21,095 square meters (227,065 square feet). St. Peter’s Basilica is large enough for 20,000 people to pray in.

While St. Peter’s Basilica is the most impressive Catholic church, it is not actually the mother church of the Catholic Church nor the cathedral (seat) of the Diocese of Rome. However, it is considered one of the holiest places in the Catholic religion. St. Peter’s Basilica is also a place of pilgrimage for many Catholics and the Pope often presides at a number of liturgies each year, which draw tens of thousands of people.

Did You Know?

None of the paintings and frescoes adorning the interior of St. Peter’s Basilica are actually paintings. Every single one of them is actually a mosaic made of thousands of tiny glass pieces.