Africa is a continent with a rich history of diverse cultures, religions, and traditions. Christianity is one of the major religions in Africa, with millions of people identifying as Christians.
Christianity has a long history in Africa, dating back to the first century AD when Christianity was introduced to Egypt. Since then, Christianity has spread across the continent, with many impressive churches built over the centuries.
In this article, we will explore the biggest churches in Africa, which not only serve as religious institutions but also as iconic landmarks and tourist attractions.
These churches are not only places of worship but also showcase the unique architectural designs, cultural heritage, and artistic expressions of the African people.
Some of these churches have been around for centuries and have become symbols of the history and development of Christianity in Africa.
From Egypt to South Africa, we will take a tour of the biggest churches in Africa. Whether you are a believer or not, these churches are definitely worth a visit for their beauty, cultural value, and historical significance. So, let’s dive in and explore the biggest churches in Africa.
- Deeper Life Bible Church (Nigeria)
- Living Faith Church (Nigeria)
- Redeemed Christian Church of God (Nigeria)
- Apostolic Church (Nigeria)
- United Family International (Zimbabwe)
- CRC Christian Church (South Africa)
- World Of Life Bible Church (Nigeria)
- Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Church (Nigeria)
- Christ Embassy (Nigeria)
- Church Doxa Deo (South Africa)
1. Deeper Life Bible Church (Nigeria)
Nigeria, being one of the most religious countries in Africa, is home to some of the biggest churches on the continent. The Deeper Life Bible Church, located in Gbagada, Lagos, Nigeria, stands out as the largest church auditorium in Africa.
With a capacity to accommodate over 30,000 worshipers at a time, the church boasts of a weekly attendance of approximately 65,000 people.
The history of the Deeper Life Bible Church dates back to 1987 when William Folorunsho Kumiyi established it under the name Christian Life Ministry.
Kumiyi, who was a former lecturer at the University of Lagos, began with a Bible study group of 15 university students. From these humble beginnings, the church has grown tremendously, attracting multitudes of people from all walks of life.
Today, the Deeper Life Bible Church is renowned for its strict doctrine and discipline. The church has gained popularity for its emphasis on deep Bible teachings and its conservative dress code.
The church’s success can be attributed to the unwavering commitment of its members, the church leadership, and the provision of adequate facilities to cater to the growing congregation.
2. Living Faith Church (Nigeria)
Living Faith Church, commonly known as Winners Chapel, is a well-liked and the second-largest church in Nigeria. Its primary campus is located in Lagos, Nigeria, and it boasts a weekly attendance of about 50,000 people.
Bishop David Oyedepo, who continues to serve as the church’s head bishop, formed the organization in 1983.
The church has expanded significantly since its founding and today has a presence in more than 65 nations throughout the world.
The church’s main office is still in Ota, Nigeria, despite its widespread membership. Thomas Aremu is the name of the church’s senior pastor in the area.
The church is known for its commitment to spreading the gospel of Christ and empowering its members through various initiatives.
It has a strong focus on education, and the Covenant University, a private Christian university, is one of its notable initiatives. The university is recognized as one of the best private universities in Nigeria and has produced several successful graduates.
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The church also runs several humanitarian projects through its outreach arm, the David Oyedepo Foundation. The foundation provides scholarships to needy students, distributes food and relief materials to those in need, and runs healthcare programs in several communities.
3. Redeemed Christian Church of God (Nigeria)
One of the largest and oldest churches in Africa is the Redeemed Christian Church of God, with a weekly attendance of 50,000. Established in 1953 by Josiah Akindayomi, this mega-church has become a global network of churches with a presence in over 192 countries. Despite its global outreach, the church’s headquarters remain in Nigeria.
With a membership of over 5 million people in 14,000 centers across Nigeria, the Redeemed Christian Church of God is a force to be reckoned with.
The church’s mission is to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and to make disciples of all nations. Its core values include holiness, humility, faith, excellence, and love.
The church is led by its General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, who has been in charge since 1981. Under his leadership, the church has experienced phenomenal growth both in Nigeria and around the world. Pastor Adeboye is widely respected as a spiritual leader and has been recognized with numerous awards for his contributions to society.
In addition to its religious activities, the church is also involved in various social and humanitarian initiatives. It operates schools, hospitals, and other charitable institutions, providing aid and support to people in need.
4. Apostolic Church (Nigeria)
The religion was founded in 1906 and is thought to have more than 4.5 million followers as of this writing. Despite having a capacity of only 10,000, it has a weekly attendance of about 40,000 at its headquarters in Ketu, Lagos City.
As the Apostolic Church’s current pastor, Gabriel Olutola is in charge of directing its spiritual expansion. The church has thrived and grown under his direction, reaching many more people with its message of salvation and hope.
The Apostolic Church is distinctive for putting a strong emphasis on evangelism and community outreach. The church offers a number of programs and projects targeted at enhancing the lives of individuals in its community because it believes in having a good impact on society.
5. United Family International (Zimbabwe)
Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa and Prophetess Ruth Makandiwa founded the United Family International Church in Zimbabwe in 2006.
With an average weekly attendance of 35,000 people, the church—located in Zimbabwe’s capital city of Harare—is the biggest in the nation. A big tourist draw is its 20,000-seating capacity.
6. CRC Christian Church (South Africa)
South Africa has some of the biggest churches in Africa, with a weekly attendance of approximately 30,000 people.
One of these churches is the CRC Christian Church, which is the largest in the country, with an average weekly attendance of 32,000 people.
Founded in 1994 by senior pastors At and Nyretta Boshoff in Bloemfontein, the church has grown rapidly over the years and is expanding into other African countries.
7. World Of Life Bible Church (Nigeria)
The World of Life Bible Church is a Nigerian church located in the bustling city of Warri. It was founded in 1987 by the renowned Christian leader and televangelist Ayo Oritsejafor.
The church, also known as the International Gospel Center, has since then grown into one of the biggest churches in Nigeria, with an impressive weekly attendance of about 30,000 people.
What sets this church apart is its vision to bring hope, healing, and transformation to individuals, families, and communities through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
With a strong focus on practical teaching, the World of Life Bible Church has helped many people navigate the challenges of life, find their purpose, and live a fulfilling life.
Apart from its significant impact in Nigeria, the World of Life Bible Church has also spread its wings to other parts of the world.
It has established branches in different countries, including South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States, among others.
The church’s founder, Ayo Oritsejafor, is a well-known figure in the Nigerian Christian community and has served in various leadership capacities in national and international Christian organizations.
He is a prolific author, preacher, and speaker, and his teachings have inspired many people to deepen their faith and relationship with God.
8. Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Church (Nigeria)
The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Church is one of these mega-churches, with a weekly attendance of 30,000 people.
The church’s origins date back to 1994, however, it was not until 2002 that the church was officially founded. Today, the church has grown to have over 300,000 branches around the world.
9. Christ Embassy (Nigeria)
Christ Embassy, also known as Believers Love World Fellowship, is a global mega church that has been in existence for over 30 years. The founder of the church is Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, and it was established in 1990.
The headquarters of the church is situated in Lagos, Nigeria, where it has an average weekly attendance of 30,000 people.
However, the church also has centers in various other countries across the world. One of the other notable activities of the church is its Loveworld Publications, which is a publication house that publishes Christian literature.
10. Church Doxa Deo (South Africa)
Last on the list of the biggest churches in Africa is Church Doxa Deo. The Church Doxa Deo has its roots in Pretoria, South Africa, and is a place where around 30,000 people gather every week to worship.
The church has many branches scattered throughout Africa and Europe, in addition to its main campus. The name of the church is a combination of two words, “Doxa” meaning glory in Greek and “Deo” meaning God in Latin.
