Houston is a city of rich cultural and religious diversity. Among its countless houses of worship from various denominations, certain churches stand out, drawing large numbers of faithful and visitors for different reasons. This article is not an attempt to rank them by holiness or spiritual significance. Instead, we aim to objectively outline the Christian churches in Houston that, based on available data and public information, are generally considered the most attended.
Drawing on open sources like houston-future.com, we’ll examine the factors driving their popularity—from historical legacy and architectural grandeur to active social outreach and influence on the local community. Our goal is to paint an honest, straightforward picture of the religious landscape in one of the largest cities in the United States.
Lakewood Church
Lakewood Church is the largest church in the U.S. by attendance, drawing over 45,000 worshippers weekly. It is famous for its widely televised services and sermons that focus on positive thinking and personal development. Lakewood is more than just a congregation; it’s a powerful symbol of modern American Christianity, blending faith, media, and massive scale.
Lakewood Church had humble beginnings, with its first gatherings held in a converted feed store. Founder John Osteen, a former Baptist pastor, started the independent church after a personal spiritual experience, making it open to all. Following his death in 1999, leadership passed to his son, Joel Osteen, who had previously worked as a television producer. Under his charismatic direction, the church experienced exponential growth, transforming into the megachurch it is today, with tens of thousands of parishioners.
Architecture and Scale
In 2005, Lakewood Church moved into the former Compaq Center, which was once the home arena for the NBA’s Houston Rockets. After an extensive $100 million renovation, the church now boasts a modern facility with seating for 16,800 people. While approximately 45,000 people attend weekly services in person, millions more watch the services online and on television.
Sermons and Influence
Joel Osteen is known for his signature positive and uplifting preaching style, which emphasizes hope, faith, and personal empowerment. His messages are broadcast on national and international television networks, as well as via the internet, reaching millions of viewers worldwide. His book, “Your Best Life Now,” became a major bestseller, selling over 3 million copies.
Beliefs and Ministry
Lakewood Church is an independent evangelical church that bases its teachings on the Bible. Core practices include:
- Salvation. Every service concludes with an invitation to accept Jesus Christ as one’s personal Savior.
- Water Baptism. Conducted every Saturday evening as a public declaration of faith.
- Communion. Regularly observed as a reminder of Christ’s sacrifice.
- Personal Growth. Continuous spiritual development and following Jesus’s teachings are strongly encouraged.
Community Involvement and Challenges
The church is heavily involved in charity and community support. During Hurricane Harvey in 2017, Lakewood Church opened its doors to displaced victims. However, in 2024, the church was the site of a tragic incident when an armed woman opened fire, wounding two people. This event brought renewed attention to issues of security and mental health.
Lakewood Church stands as a prime example of how faith, modern technology, and charismatic leadership can unite millions of people globally.
Second Baptist Church Houston
Second Baptist Church in Houston is one of the most prominent Baptist megachurches in the United States. It combines traditional Christian values with massive infrastructure and active civic engagement. Founded in March 1927, the church started with a prayer meeting of 121 people in the Taylor School downtown. In 1946, the church established the Second Baptist School, which now occupies nearly 42 acres in the Memorial area. The main campus moved to Woodway Drive in 1957, where it houses the world’s largest Rodgers organ, featuring 10,412 pipes.
Second Baptist Church Houston boasts over 85,000 officially registered members, with at least 17,000 people attending weekly. The church broadcasts its services via television, radio, and the internet, significantly expanding its reach to an even larger audience.
Second Baptist Church is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention and adheres to evangelical principles, including salvation through faith, baptism, communion, and discipleship.
The church is deeply engaged in missionary and charitable work, with members partnering with over 70 local organizations. Their efforts include aiding the homeless, supporting families in need, and combating human trafficking.
The church operates its own school, Second Baptist School. It is also involved in the “Loving Kids” program, which provides mentorship and educational support to children in collaboration with local schools.
In 2024, after 46 years of service, Pastor Ed Young passed the leadership to his son, Ben Young. However, in 2025, a group of church members filed a lawsuit, alleging that the new leadership changed the bylaws without a proper vote, resulting in a concentration of power and control over the church’s estimated $1 billion in assets.
Woodlands Church
Woodlands Church, located in the Houston area, is another of Texas’s most prominent megachurches. It was founded in 1993 by Pastor Kerry Shook and his wife, Chris, initially called the Fellowship of the Woodlands. Starting with a small group of 15 people meeting in a private home, the church grew rapidly. Due to a lack of a permanent location, the congregation constantly moved its gatherings from school auditoriums until it established its own campus.
Today, Woodlands Church draws over 18,000 people weekly. They also offer online services, in addition to their large physical facilities for in-person gatherings.
Woodlands Church is also highly active in missionary work and philanthropy.
St. Martin’s Episcopal Church
This church is the largest Episcopal parish in North America, boasting over 10,000 members. It was founded in 1952 by the Reverend J. Thomas Bagby. The first service was held in the home of the Holyfield family on Post Oak Road and was attended by just 125 people.
In 1954, the church acquired four acres of land on Sage Road and built its first structure, now known as Founders’ Hall. A larger church, now called the Old Church, was completed in 1959. Over the following decades, the parish grew significantly, with membership exceeding 7,000 by 2002.
The current main sanctuary, designed by Jackson & Ryan architects, opened on Easter, April 11, 2004. Its Gothic style is inspired by St. Elizabeth’s Church in Marburg, Germany. The building spans 27,630 square feet, and its spires reach 188 feet high. The bell tower houses four bells cast by the legendary Whitechapel Foundry in the United Kingdom. St. Martin’s Episcopal Church has become a Houston landmark and a draw for tourists.
The church gained national attention when it hosted the funeral for former President George H.W. Bush in 2018. The Reverend Russell J. Levenson, Jr., who had been the Bush family’s spiritual advisor for over a decade, officiated the service.
The church offers traditional and contemporary liturgies, Christian education programs, numerous opportunities for service and mission work, and a wide variety of activities for all age groups.
Windsor Village United Methodist Church
Located in the southwest region of Houston, Windsor Village United Methodist Church is one of the largest African American Methodist congregations in the U.S. Since its founding, the Christian community has grown into a powerful spiritual, social, and economic hub that actively impacts the lives of the local community.
In 1982, the church had only 25 members. Under the leadership of the Reverend Kirbyjon Caldwell, the congregation grew to over 18,000 members, becoming one of the largest in the Methodist denomination. Caldwell emphasized active community service, transforming the church into a center for social and economic development.
Today, the congregation has large worship halls, an office complex, and a school. It also owns the Power Center, a multi-purpose complex that includes stores, office spaces, medical clinics, and even a bank. The church also owns residential complexes and a youth center. The church community actively supports parishioners’ business initiatives and job creation.
