Good Heavens! Texas Churches Grow to Biblical Proportions

Posted by: Christian Madera
Thanks to: Clayton Husband

27 May 2007 - 7:00am

Living up to its reputation as a state who's residents like things big, Texas is home to three of the largest megachurches in the nation.

"What is a megachurch? According to the Hartford Institute for Religion Research, a megachurch has a sustained average weekly attendance of 2,000 persons or more at its worship services."

These churches are springing up throughout Texas -- "and are looking for large parcels with abundant parking. Former retail, industrial and other large facilities are strong candidates for adaptive reuse by growing churches."

"Texas' (and the nation's) largest megachurch is Lakewood Church (above), housed in downtown Houston's Compaq Center, the former arena of the Houston Rockets. Lakewood spent $75 million to renovate the arena and is paying $12.1 million in rent to the City of Houston for the next 30 years, with an option to extend the lease for an additional 30 years for $22.6 million."

Full Story: Good Heavens! Texas Churches Grow to Biblical Proportions

Source: Tierra Grande, April 1, 2007