10 Biggest Churches in New York City

Church bells are ringing and now it’s time for the biggest churches in New York City. I’ve always noticed churches in my neighborhood. I just never knew why. Now that I am planning a wedding I know I was just preemptively scoping out these beautiful buildings. Okay, so not really–but still it takes a lot of searching to find the right church. 

Also, churches get booked up faster than five-star restaurants. There was more than one church I spoke to that is already booked full for the year and now booking 2018. Wow, some people are much better at planning than I am–or maybe better at praying? Could they have an inside track? It’s possible.

Before this hunt I thought Catholics had the most beautiful churches–hands down (or in prayer formation). I still do. But Episcopals are not to be messed with–they have some amazing structures in which to worship. The only drawback is the fact that almost all of these churches charge thousands of dollars for you to get married in them. If you are a member of the church it is significantly less, but if not you’re looking at $2000-$5000+.

A lower cost (free) option is to just attend a service at one of these places. Or you could take a tour. They are truly beautiful and speckled all over New York City. But which one is the biggest? Well, we have the list for you. You may also be interested in the 5 Fastest Growing Religions in Europe and The World.

People from all around the world are traveling to New York City every year to see all of the amazing landmarks, including its many churches. That is why we decided to create a list of  largest churches in New York City and show you which you should visit–if size is your thing. It wasn’t easy to create the list because the average number of weekly attendees is rapidly growing, but we managed to collect information from Hartford Institute For Religion Research for churches which are located in New York City and from Faithfully Magazine. The list was sorted by the average number of weekly attendees in each church. Please enjoy the 10 biggest churches in New York City.

 

10. International Christian Center

International Christian Center is one of the biggest in New York City, and it is located in Queens. In International Christian Center the lead pastors are Ronald and his wife, Emma Squibb. They are dedicated to help people in needs and help them find their faith in God. The International Christian Center found its way on our list because the number of weekly attendance is 2,450. If your path ever leads you to New York, you should visit the International Christian Center church because it is also very beautiful.

 

9. Concord Baptist Church of Christ

Concord Baptist Church of Christ is located in Brooklyn and it was founded back in 1847. The lead pastor of this beautiful church is Dr. Gary V. Simpson who is dedicated to serve God and help people find their faith. The number of attendance in Concord Baptist Church of Christ is growing more and more every day which makes it one of the biggest in New York City. The average number of weekly attendance in Concord Baptist Church of Christ is 2,500.

 

8. Bridge Street AME

Bridge Street AME is not only one of the biggest churches in New York City, but it is also one of the oldest. The Bridge Street AME Church was founded back in 1766, and it is located in Brooklyn. Today, the lead pastor of this church is David B. Cousin. The average number of weekly attendees in Bridge Street AME is 2,500, but the number is rapidly growing. The lead pastor is dedicated to help other people and help them find their faith in God. This is why many people chose to visit this church every week.

 

7. Riverside Church

Riverside Church ranks 7th in our list of biggest churches in New York City and is a Christian church in Upper Manhattan in New York City. It was founded, and they opened their doors back in 1930 on October 5th. This is a very beautiful church, and more than 2,500 people are visiting it every week. The lead pastor of the Riverside Church is Amy Butler. She is the seventh pastor and the first woman ever elected to be the lead pastor of the Riverside Church. Before she came to New York City, she served as the senior pastor in Washington D.C for eleven years.

 

6. Canaan Baptist Church of Christ

Another church which found its way on our list of biggest churches in New York City is Canaan Baptist Church of Christ. Canaan Baptist Church of Christ was founded back in 1932. Today, in Canaan Baptist Church of Christ the honor to be the lead pastor has Dr. Johnson. Many people are visiting the Canaan Baptist Church of Christ, the average number of attendees is more than 3,000. If you ever find yourself in New York City, you should definitely visit this beautiful church.

 

5. Redeemer Presbyterian Church

Redeemer Presbyterian Church is located on the Upper East Side of New York City. This church ranks 5th in our list of biggest churches in New York City and it is one of the biggest and most beautiful in New York City which are attracting more and more attendees every day. The Redeemer Presbyterian Church was founded back in 1989 and today the church are attending doctors, professors, young professionals, lawyers and other people from whom the majority is in their 20s and 30s. The lead pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church is Timothy J. Keller and the average number of weekly attendees is 5,200. This church is called “one of Manhattan’s most vital congregations” and it is one of the most influential churches here.

 

4. Greater Allen Cathedral of New York

Greater Allen Cathedral of New York found is one of the most visited churches on a weekly basis. It was founded back in 1834, and it has been more than 183 years since they first opened their doors for people. The lead pastors of Greater Allen Cathedral of New York are Floyd Flake and his wife, Elaine Flake. The average number of weekly attendees in Greater Allen Cathedral of New York is 6,150. This church’s budget is exceeding $34 million on an annual basis and they are operating 750 private schools.

 

3. Times Square Church

The Times Square Church is located in the Theater District of Manhattan in New York City and it is an inter-denominational church. The church was founded back in October 1987 and it has been three decades since David Wilkerson first opened the doors to people. The lead pastor of Times Square Church is Carter Conlon and the average number of weekly attendance is more than 8,000. The Times Square Church has a mission to help people, to feed the homeless in New York City. 

 

2. Brooklyn Tabernacle

We are continuing our list of biggest churches in New York City with Brooklyn Tabernacle that was founded 170 years ago, back in 1847 and it has been helping people for so long. People from different nationalities are coming to Brooklyn Tabernacle and the average number of weekly attendees is more than 10,000. The lead pastor of Brooklyn Tabernacle is Jim Cymbala who has a mission to help those who need help the most. Also, Brooklyn Tabernacle has a six Grammy Awards for Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir which were directed by the lead pastor’s wife, Carol Cymbala. Jim Cymbala has been the lead pastor of Brooklyn Tabernacle for the last 40 years.

 

1. Christian Cultural Center

Christian Cultural Center is located in the East New York section of Brooklyn. It was founded by Dr. A.R Bernard. Dr. A.R Bernard founded the Christian Cultural Center 38 years ago and today is one of the biggest churches not only in the New York City but in the United States as well. The average number of attendance in Christian Cultural Center in 13,000 which contributed for the church to found its way on our list. 

This was our list of 10 biggest churches in New York City. We hope we managed to show you which you should visit the next time you are in New York.