The Most Popular Church in America, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the church you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 8, 2024 06:33
Choosing a church that aligns with one's faith, community goals, and spiritual guidance is a significant decision faced by many individuals. As America boasts a diverse array of religious institutions, each offering unique sermons, community outreach programs, and spiritual teachings, it can be quite a task to find one that feels like the right fit. A comprehensive ranking based on popularity can serve as a guiding tool for many in this process.
This website offers a dynamic and interactive way for individuals to cast their votes and see how different churches compare in real time. By participating, users not only contribute to a broader understanding of what makes a church resonate with its congregation but also help others in their search for a spiritual home. This mechanism encourages a community-driven approach to evaluating religious institutions across the country.
What Is the Most Popular Church in America?
-
167votes
English nol · CC BY-SA 3.0The Catholic Church
Jesus ChristWith over 68 million registered members, the Catholic Church is the largest Christian denomination in the United States.The Catholic Church is the largest Christian church and the most well-known religious institution in the world. It is a global community of believers who follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and are united under the leadership of the Pope. The Catholic Church is known for its rich traditions, sacraments, and hierarchical structure.- Size: Approximately 1.3 billion members worldwide
- Headquarters: Vatican City, Rome
- Hierarchy: Pope, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Laity
- Sacraments: Seven sacraments including baptism, confirmation, Eucharist, etc.
- Catholic Doctrine: Teachings based on Scripture, tradition, and the Magisterium
The Catholic Church in other rankings- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular church in Nigeria
-
239votesWith over 14 million members, the Southern Baptist Convention is the second-largest Christian denomination in the United States.The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States. It is a network of autonomous churches that share a common set of beliefs and practices. The SBC was founded in Augusta, Georgia in 1845.
- Beliefs: Adherence to the Baptist Faith and Message, which includes beliefs in the authority of Scripture, the Trinity, salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, and the priesthood of all believers.
- Membership: As of 2020, the SBC reported over 14.5 million members in over 47,500 churches.
- Doctrine: The SBC holds to the doctrine of believer's baptism by immersion, meaning they baptize individuals only after they have made a personal profession of faith.
- Ordination: The SBC ordains only men to the office of pastor or minister, based on their interpretation of biblical teachings on gender roles.
- Missions: The SBC has a strong emphasis on global missions and operates the International Mission Board, which sends and supports missionaries around the world.
-
324votesWith over 6.7 million members, the United Methodist Church is the third-largest Christian denomination in the United States.The United Methodist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination and one of the largest mainline denominations in the United States. It was formed in 1968 through the merger of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church.
- Membership: The United Methodist Church has approximately 6.7 million members in the United States.
- Bishops: The Church is led by bishops who oversee the various regions known as conferences.
- Worship Style: Traditional worship services are common, but contemporary and blended services also exist.
- Beliefs: The United Methodist Church emphasizes the importance of personal faith, social justice, and inclusivity.
- Sacraments: The Church practices two sacraments: baptism and communion.
-
47votes
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Joseph SmithWith over 6.6 million members, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is one of the fastest-growing Christian denominations in the United States.The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, often referred to as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, is a Christian restorationist church that originated in the early 19th century in the United States. It was founded by Joseph Smith in 1830 and is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.- Membership: Approximately 16 million members worldwide
- Scripture: The Book of Mormon, along with the Bible
- Beliefs: Monotheism, Jesus Christ as the Son of God, restoration of the true church
- Organization: Hierarchical structure with a President and Council of Twelve Apostles
- Temples: Numerous temples around the world for members' religious ordinances
-
59votesWith over 3.1 million members, the Assemblies of God is one of the largest Pentecostal Christian denominations in the United States.The Assemblies of God is a Protestant Christian denomination that is one of the largest and most popular Pentecostal churches in America. It places an emphasis on the experience of the Holy Spirit and the manifestation of spiritual gifts. The Assemblies of God is known for its evangelical mission and commitment to spreading the Gospel both nationally and internationally.
- Year Established: 1914
- Headquarters Location: Springfield, Missouri
- Membership: Over 3 million adherents in the United States
- International Affiliation: World Assemblies of God Fellowship
- Beliefs: Trinitarian theology, salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, baptism by immersion, divine healing, and the second coming of Christ
-
616votesWith over 1.5 million members, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is one of the largest Reformed Christian denominations in the United States.The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination in the United States. It is one of the largest Presbyterian denominations and has a significant presence across the country, with numerous congregations and members.
- Membership: Approximately 1.4 million members
- Headquarters: Louisville, Kentucky
- Worship Style: Varies between traditional and contemporary
- Governance: Presbyterian polity with elected elders
- Doctrine: Reformed theology and belief in the Trinity
-
79votesWith over 3.5 million members, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is one of the largest Lutheran Christian denominations in the United States.The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination in the United States. It is one of the largest Christian denominations in the country and is known for its emphasis on grace, faith, and the authority of scripture.
- Membership: Approximately 3.4 million members
- Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois
- Founding Year: 1988
- Beliefs: Confesses the teachings of the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed
- Bishops: Presiding bishop and synod bishops
-
84votesWith over 7 million members, the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. is the largest predominantly African American Christian denomination in the United States.The National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. is one of the largest and most influential African American Baptist organizations in the United States. It was founded in 1886 with the primary mission of promoting the cause of Christ, achieving spiritual growth, and advancing the cause of social justice.
- Membership Size: Over 7.5 million members
- Affiliation: Baptist
- Leadership Structure: Presidential system with a National President and Executive Board
- Headquarters: Nashville, Tennessee
- Annual Conventions: The organization holds annual conventions to discuss important issues, conduct business and engage in worship.
-
93votes
The Seventh-Day Adventist Church
Ellen G. WhiteWith over 1.2 million members, the Seventh-Day Adventist Church is known for its emphasis on health and wellness, as well as its observance of the Sabbath on Saturday.The Seventh-Day Adventist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination that originated in the United States during the mid-19th century. It is known for its emphasis on the Second Coming of Christ, observing the Sabbath on the seventh day of the week (Saturday), and promoting a healthy lifestyle.- Headquarters: Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
- Membership: Approximately 21 million
- Beliefs: Trinity, Sabbath observance, healthful living, Second Coming of Christ
- Famous Institutions: Loma Linda University, Andrews University
- Higher Education: 13 liberal arts colleges and universities
-
109votesWith over 800,000 members, the United Church of Christ is known for its progressive views on social justice and inclusivity.The United Church of Christ (UCC) is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination in the United States. It was founded in 1957 as a result of a merger between the Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches. The UCC is known for its commitment to social justice, inclusivity, and progressive theology.
- Year Founded: 1957
- Membership: Approximately 800,000
- Beliefs: Mainline Protestant
- Social Justice: Strong emphasis on social justice and equality
- Inclusivity: Open and affirming of all sexual orientations and gender identities
Missing your favorite church?
Graphs
Discussion
Ranking factors for popular church
-
Membership sizeThe number of registered members or attendees in the church gives an indication of its popularity.
-
Weekly attendanceThe number of people who regularly attend the church services plays an important role in determining its popularity.
-
Online presence and engagementA strong online presence, such as a well-designed website, active social media accounts, and regular live streaming of services, can indicate the church's wider reach and popularity.
-
Influence and recognitionChurches with widely recognized leaders, authors, or speakers will generally have higher popularity.
-
DenominationThe church's denomination can play a role in its popularity, as certain denominations attract larger followings due to their beliefs, values, or practices.
-
LocationChurches in urban or densely populated areas are likely to draw larger crowds, making them seem more popular.
-
Multi-site reachIf a church has multiple locations or campuses, its overall popularity may be higher because it is accessible to a larger geographic area.
-
Community engagement and outreachChurches that actively engage in their communities through charitable activities, volunteer work, and events are often more popular and seen as more influential.
-
Mission work and global impactChurches involved in extensive mission work both domestically and internationally can be seen as more popular due to their broader reach and impact.
-
Programs and ministriesA wide variety of programs and ministries catering to different age groups, interests, and needs can make a church more popular among different demographics.
-
Church growth and developmentChurches that show steady growth in membership and financial support over time can be seen as increasingly popular.
-
Media coverage and exposureChurches that frequently appear in the media, either through positive news stories, inspirational content, or involvement in significant events, may be more popular as a result of increased visibility.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular church in America. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or church is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1755 views
- 187 votes
- 10 ranked items
Movers & Shakers
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each church once every 24 hours. The rank of each church is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular church in america
Religion has always been a significant part of American culture, and churches play an essential role in shaping the country's religious landscape. The United States is home to a diverse range of churches, from traditional denominations like the Catholic Church and the United Methodist Church to newer, non-denominational churches like Hillsong and Saddleback.
Determining the most popular church in America can be a challenging task, as there are many ways to measure popularity. One way is to look at the number of members each church has. According to the National Council of Churches, the Catholic Church is the largest religious denomination in the United States, with over 70 million members. Other popular denominations include the Southern Baptist Convention, the United Methodist Church, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
However, popularity can also be measured by factors such as attendance, social media presence, and cultural influence. Mega-churches like Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, and the Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois, often attract thousands of attendees each week and have significant followings on social media.
Ultimately, the most popular church in America is subjective and depends on how you define popularity. Regardless of denomination or size, churches continue to play a crucial role in American society, providing spiritual guidance and a sense of community to millions of people across the country.
Explore other rankings
Check out some of the other recommended rankings on StrawPoll and make your voice heard.
