Missouri's Largest Churches

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Here is a list of the largest churches in Missouri measured by estimated average weekly attendance. For the scope of this list only those that are estimated to be in the top ten largest are featured. Other "megachurches" (2,000+ in weekly attendance) are listed below.

Due to varying quality of available data, churches are presented in rough order and some may not be in the top ten largest if exact data wasn't available. 

If there are any churches that you think should've made this list or to report corrections, please comment below or email us at info @ our-domainname.com (not subdomain).

Please note: some church numbers reflect pre-pandemic attendance, so church attendance could vary significantly since then.

James River Church


Pastor: John Lindell

Theology/Denomination: Assemblies of God (Pentecostal)

Location(s): Ozark (founding/largest campus), western Springfield, northern Springfield, Joplin

Attendance: ~ 15,000-19,000 (numbers vary according to sources: here, here, and here)

This is the largest church in Missouri with several campuses across Southwest Missouri, primarily in the Springfield area, with a fourth located an hour away in Joplin. Given its place as the largest church in Missouri and the Springfield area, it has been involved in several controversies.

The Assemblies of God, the Pentecostal denomination which it is part of, is headquartered in Springfield as well. 

Faith Church


Pastor: David Crank

Theology/Denomination: Non-denominational, Pentecostal, Word of Faith

Location(s): St Louis Area: Sunset Hills (largest/founding campus), Earth City, Weldon Springs, North County, Fairview Heights, IL; Palm Beach Area: West Palm Beach, Royal Palm Beach

Attendance: 7,000+ (source; 2021)

The largest church in the St. Louis area, and by all estimation, the second largest in Missouri. This church clearly teaches the false doctrine, of "the prosperity gospel." Their flagship campus in Sunset Hills is estimated to have 4,000 weekly attendees alone (source?).

Abundant Life



Pastor: Phil Hopper

Theology/Denomination: Southern Baptist

Location(s): Lee's Summit (largest/founding campus), Blue Springs, Independence, Crossroads

Attendance: 5,700 (source and source)

Abundant Life is the largest Southern Baptist church in Missouri (and one of the largest churches in the Kansas City area (across state-lines). It has predominantly been in Lee's Summit, only recently branching out to launch other campuses. It is one of many Southern Baptist megachurches in the Kansas City area.

Sheffield Family Life Center




Pastor: George Westlake III

Theology/Denomination: Assemblies of God

Location(s): Sheffield neighborhood of Kansas City

Attendance:  ~ 5,400 (source; 2017)


The Crossing Church – St. Louis 



Pastor: Greg Holder
Theology/Denomination: Non-denominational; seeker-sensitive
Location(s): Chesterfield (main campus), Fenton, St. Peters, South City
Attendance: 5,800 (source: 2023)

Friendly Temple


Pastor: Michael Jones

Theology/Denomination: Missionary Baptist

Location(s): North St. Louis City (main campus), Florissant, Spanish lake

Attendance: Unknown; auditorium can seat 2,500 (source) 


Historically African-American congregation Friendly Temple Church has arguably been the most influential church in inner-city Saint Louis. They have a very large social outreach with numerous community programs, housing development projects (Robert Fulton Development Corporation), a senior living apartment, and educational outreaches.

Element Church

Pastor: Erik lawson

Theology/Denomination: Non-denominational, Charismatic

Location(s): Wentzville, St. Charles (satellite)

Attendance: ~ 3,500 (source)

Church on the Rock


Pastor: David Blunt

Theology/Denomination: Non-denominational, Pentecostal, Word of Faith

Location(s): St. Peters

Attendance: Unknown; auditorium seats ~ 2,000 +

While the church affiliates the Word of Faith movement and its figures (such as Joel Osteen and Kenneth Copeland), it is not as flamboyant as Faith Church.

Word of Life Church

Pastor: Brian Zahnd

Theology/Denomination: Non-denominational, Charismatic?, Liturgical; Non-Penal Substitutionary Atonement

Location(s): St. Joseph

Attendance: Unknown

When it was founded, Word of Life Church was famously a Word of Faith Church. The founding pastor came to a conviction regarding that former theology and shifted the church away to a more liturgy-based teaching. Its apparent the church significantly downsized after that point, but it still appears to qualify as a "megachurch." 


The Crossing — Columbia



Pastors: Dave Cover, Keith Simon, Shay Roush; Co-Lead Pastors 

Theology/Denomination: Evangelical Presbyterian Church

Location(s): Columbia

Attendance: ~ 3,000 (source: communication with The Crossing, 2022)

Note: many other churches may be near 3,000 in attendance. The Crossing is provisionally listed in the top ten largest churches, but if another church is found to have greater attendance; it will drop from the list.


Other Megachurches within Missouri

The below lists are summaries containing only megachurches within the borders of Missouri. See the full posts for listing across the St. Louis and Kansas City metro area which expand state lines.

St. Louis Area (see full post)

  • First Baptist Arnold (my home church); Southern Baptist; 2,000-3,000 attendance
  • Pathfinder Church, Ellisville; Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod; near 3,000 in attendance
  • Harvester Christian Church, St. Peters; Non-denominational/restorationist movement?
  • The Crossing Church, Chesterfield; Non-denominational (unrelated to Columbia)
  • St. Louis Family Church, Chesterfield; Non-denominational, Pentecostal
  • Twin Rivers Worship Center, Melville; Church of God International 
  • Shalom City of Peace?; (Independent?) Baptist
  • St. Joseph Catholic Parish, Cottleville; Catholic

Kansas City Area (see full post)

  • Pleasant Valley Baptist; Southern Baptist
  • Vineyard Church; Non-denominational
  • Abundant Life; Southern Baptist
  • The Summit Church; United Methodist
  • Sheffield Family Life Center; Assemblies of God

Springfield Area

  • Crossway Baptist Church; Southern Baptist
  • North Point Church; Assemblies of God

Other Areas

  • Cape Girardeau First Assembly; Assemblies of God
  • La Croix, Cape Girardeau; United Methodist Church
  • Faith Life Church, Branson; Non-denominational, Word of Faith




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