Christianity is the world’s largest religion and church is the place where they go to worship God! There are millions of churches all around the world. Here I had compiled a list of world’s 10 largest churches in terms of their floor area. Thousand of people go to these houses of God.
Here are the top 10 largest churches of the world:
1. St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
The Saint Peter’s Basilica building is considered one of greatest building of its time. Construction of this church building was started on 15th April 1506 and it was completed in 15th November 1626. This great building which we have today taken almost 120 years, its having largest interior with the width of 150 m and length of 220 m. More than 60,000 people can hold prayers together in this holy building. The basilica is the holiest building in all churches of the world. Its official name in Italian is Basilca di San Pietro in Vaticano.
2. Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida, Brazil
The new Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida was established as a minor basilica by Pope Saint Pius X in 1908. Its new building was built in 1955 and it was architected by Bendito Calixto. Bendito Calixto designed it in form of Greek cross. This building’s length is 173m, width 168m, height 100 m and dome height is 70 m. This church is having cpacity for 45,000 people. It was named as most important National Marian Shrine in Brazil by Pope John Paul II.
3. Cathedral of Seville, Spain
Cathedral of Seville in Spanish called as Catedral de Santa Maria de la Sede. This is the third largest church in the world and some claim it largest Gothic cathedral in the world. Its construction was started in 1402 and it was completed in 16th century. Its building covers total area of 11,520 sq/m. Christian architects added extra dimension to its height and now its central nave rise to a height of 138 ft.
4. Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, United States
This church’s architect was designed by the George Fredrick Bodley and Philip Hubert Frohman. Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in United States is considered to be the 4th largest church in the world. Its interior is having length of 183.2 m and width is 70.7 m. Originally it was designed as Byzantine Romanesque but later on it was changed to Gothic. This church was damaged by huge fire in 2001. Its building is having capacity for almost 20,000 people.
5. Liverpool Cathedral, United Kingdom
Liverpool cathedral of England is considered as 5th largest church in the world. The total area covered by this church is 9,600 sq meters. Its building is mainly made of sand stone. Its bell tower is largest in the world and houses the world’s highest 219 feet and heaviest 31 tons ringing peal of bells. Those 13 bells are called Bartlett Bells. Its nave height is 116 feet and choir height is 116 feet also. It haves only one tower and that is bell tower.
6. Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Portugal
Church of the Most Holy Trinity in Portugal is the 4th largest Catholic Church and sixth largest Christian church in the world. It is also known as Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Fatima. This church’s construction was started in 2004 and it was completed in 2007 and it was consecrated on October 12, 2007. Its length is 95 m and width is 115 m. Round about 9,000 people can hold up in its building.
7. Milan Cathedral, Italy
Milan Cathedral is dedicated to Santa Maria Nascente and it taken almost six centuries to be completed. It is referred as one of the greatest churches of the world. Its length is 157m and width is 92 meters. Forty thousand people can sit together in its building to worship God. In Gothic Cathedrals it is largest in world and in Christian churches it’s on 7th number. It is considered as most famous building in Europe.
8. Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Belgium
Its first stone was laid by the King Leopold II in 1905 and its construction was completed in 1970. It taken time because its construction was stopped twice during both world wars, this church covers 164.5 meters area in length and 107.80 meters area in width. This is sixth largest Roman Catholic Church in the world. Almost 2,000 people can sit in this building.
9. Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, Ivory Coast
Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Ivory Coast is listed as world’s largest church in the Guinness World Records. Its covers area of 30,000 sq meters and almost 18,000 people can worship God in it. Its construction was started in 1985 and it was completed in 1989. This church was consecrated in 1990 by Pope John Paul II.
10. Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lichen, Poland
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lichen is the largest church in Poland. Its 7th largest church in Europe and 10th largest in the world, its construction was started in 1994 and it was completed in 2004. It covers area of 120 meters in length and 77 meters in width. This church was built in hone of the Blessed Virgin Mary and it also holds a 200 year old painting known as the “Our Lady of Sorrows, Queen of Poland.”
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