7 Richest Church Denominations in the World in 2025, Full List Emerges
- No fewer than seven church denominations have emerged as the richest Christian organisations in the world for the year 2025
- The seven richest church denominations is based on the estimated net worth of the religious organisation
- Churches in different parts of the globe made the list of the top seven richest churches in the world
Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 5 years of experience covering basic and tertiary education in Nigeria and worldwide
The list of the seven richest church denominations in the world as of 2025 according to their estimated net worth has emerged.
This ranking highlights the vast wealth accumulated by these major Christian organisations through real estate, investments, donations, and business ventures.
Source: Twitter
As reported by The Nation, the ranking places church denominations with millions of members and far-reaching influence at the top.
This underscores the churches economic and financial strength as well as spiritual power.
Top 7 richest church denominations
1. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is ranked one of the wealthiest religious organisations in the world.
The church estimated net worth approximately $293 billion, highlighting the church’s immense financial power.
The independent analysis said the figure includes real estate, ecclesiastical buildings, and a vast investment portfolio.
2. The Catholic Church (in Germany)
The Catholic Church in Germany is estimated to worth $265.62 billion, including land and real estate.
According to report, a large portion of this wealth is generated through a state-sanctioned church tax. This is paid by registered members, giving the church significant financial strength.
3. The Catholic Church (Holy See/Vatican)
The wealth of the the Holy See’s assets is estimated at over $10 billion. This is because the exact wealth of the Vatican is impossible to calculate due to its global holdings.
The Church owns billions in real estate, major investments in various industries. This makes the church one of the world’s most financially influential entities.
4. The Church of England
The Church of England endowment funds is said to be growing to approximately $13.84 billion.
The Church Commissioners reported a 13.3% return in 2021. This bolstered the church’s ability to fund its mission and maintain its historic properties.
The Church Commissioners who manage these funds announced the strong financial performance.
5. The Church of Sweden
The Church of Sweden has a net worth of over $11.41 billion. The church has substantial holdings in forests, buildings, and securities.
The financial report highlights the church’s wealth, which is largely amassed through its historical property ownership, continues to support its extensive social and cultural work.
6. Southern Baptist Convention
The total assets of the Southern Baptist Convention’s dozen entities—excluding its retirement funds is over $2.66 billion in 2021.
This is according to a recent report that revealed the combined total assets of the church in 2021.
The figure reflects the significant financial resources of the largest Protestant denomination in the United States.
7. Seventh-day Adventist Church
The Seventh-day Adventist Church reportedly has a total net worth of approximately $15.6 billion as of a 1998 assessment.
The robust financial position is primarily from tithes and offerings, supports its global network of schools, hospitals, and media ministries.
Source: Twitter
Theologian mentions what church wealth should build
A Christian counselor and theologian, Dr. Benard Andrew, has faulted the emphasis on extravagant church buildings, warning that the true legacy of faith leaders lies in transformed lives, not structures.
“The sad thing about most of these expensive churches, particularly in Africa, is that they are built with the monies of their poor members who have been brainwashed to think that contributing to the building of some cathedral holds a reward in the afterlife,” Dr. Andrew shared his opinion with Legit.ng.
“Africa and Nigeria have some of the world's largest churches and some of history's most religious and ‘anointed’ preachers.”
“History will not remember you for the size of the Church you built. However, history will never forget you for the lives you transform and how that transformation reverberates through time.”
2025: Largest churches, cathedrals in the World
Legit.ng earlier reported that the church building is used for worship service or other religious activities in the Christianity faith all around the world.
These church buildings and cathedrals come in different shape, design, type and size for the specific purpose of worshipping God.
In this article, Legit.ng highlights the largest churches and cathedrals in the world by their Interior Area.
15 biggest churches in Nigeria
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that despite the many churches in Nigeria, only a few have stood out in branches, popularity, and total membership. Which is the biggest church in Nigeria?
Singling out the biggest church in Nigeria from the thousands can be difficult. It is due to the wide variety of churches, such as Evangelical, Orthodox, Pentecostal, and others.
Every church variety has its own biggest church. For example, the most prominent Catholic Church is the Roman Catholic Church, while the Redeemed Christian Church of God is the most famous Pentecostal church.
Editorial assistant Ololade Olatimehin provided exclusive commentary from a theologian for this report.
Source: Legit.ng
