15 richest churches in the world in 2025: Ranked by their net worth
The richest churches in the world in 2025 are known for their religious influence and incredible financial power. These institutions have accumulated wealth through centuries of donations, real estate and investments. From historic cathedrals to modern megachurches, they fund charities, media networks, and large-scale operations, making them global icons of faith and finance.
Source: Facebook
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Top 15 richest churches in the world
- 15. Episcopal Church (U.S.) – $2 billion
- 14. Church of Scientology – $2 billion
- 13. Opus Dei (Catholic Church) – $3 billion
- 12. Trinity Church, Manhattan – $6 billion
- 11. Church of Sweden – $11.4 billion
- 10. Church of England – $11.9 billion
- 9. Seventh‑Day Adventist Church – $15.6 billion
- 8. Catholic Church in the Philippines – $20 billion
- 7. Catholic Church in Australia – $30 billion
- 6. Catholic Church in France – $23 billion
- 5. Catholic Church in Germany – $26 billion
- 4. Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Indiana, USA) – $30 billion+ assets
- 3. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints (LDS) – $293 billion
- 2. Catholic Church (Vatican City & Global Holdings) – Trillions (symbolic)
- 1. Global Catholic Church Network – Multi‑trillion Influence
- How much is the catholic church worth worldwide?
- What is the richest church in the world in 2025?
- What is the largest church in the world in 2025?
- What religion are most billionaires?
- What is the fastest-growing church in the world right now?
- How rich is the Catholic Church compared to other churches?
Key takeaways
- The richest churches in the world 2025 showcase the vast financial influence of global religious institutions.
- Wealth comes from donations, real estate, media networks, investments, and historical assets.
- Prominent examples include Roman Catholic churches, Orthodox cathedrals, and modern megachurches.
- These churches use their resources for charity, cultural preservation, and international outreach.
Top 15 richest churches in the world
Many of the world's wealthiest denominations have an extensive property portfolio, a stable source of income, and profitable investments. For example, the Catholic church owns schools, hospitals, and other institutions that help society as well as generate revenue.
The following list is compiled using these metrics that are used in calculating the organisation's worth.
| No. | Church | Location | Estimated net worth |
| 15 | Episcopal Church (U.S.) | USA | $2 billion |
| 14 | Church of Scientology | USA/Worldwide | $2 billion |
| 13 | Opus Dei (Catholic Church) | Worldwide | $3 billion |
| 12 | Trinity Church, Manhattan | USA (New York City) | $6 billion |
| 11 | Church of Sweden | Sweden | $11.4 billion |
| 10 | Church of England | United Kingdom | $11.9 billion |
| 9 | Seventh‑Day Adventist Church | USA/Worldwide | $15.6 billion |
| 8 | Catholic Church in France | France | $23 billion |
| 7 | Catholic Church in the Philippines | Philippines | $20 billion |
| 6 | Catholic Church in Germany | Germany | $26 billion |
| 5 | Catholic Church in Australia | Australia | $30 billion |
| 4 | Basilica of the Sacred Heart | USA (Indiana) | $30 billion |
| 3 | Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints (LDS) | USA/Worldwide | $293 billion |
| 2 | Catholic Church (Vatican & Global Holdings) | Vatican City/Worldwide | Trillions (symbolic) |
| 1 | Global Catholic Church Network | Worldwide | Multi-trillion influence |
15. Episcopal Church (U.S.) – $2 billion
Source: UGC
The Episcopal Church ranks as one of the wealthiest Protestant denominations in the U.S. with an estimated net worth of around $2 billion. Its revenue comes from member contributions, investments, and property ownership.
According to the church's website, the institution reported trust assets of over $600 million, while allocating $15 billion for clergy retirement funds. About $5.0 billion was also set aside for its parishes and dioceses.
While smaller in global reach, it still appears in discussions of the top 10 richest religions in the world due to its significant real estate portfolio.
14. Church of Scientology – $2 billion
Known for its unique doctrines and celebrity members, the Church of Scientology earns wealth through donations, courses, and global properties. Its financial strength places it among contenders in the richest organisation in the world discussions in the religious sector.
13. Opus Dei (Catholic Church) – $3 billion
Source: Getty Images
As a personal prelature of the Catholic Church, Opus Dei controls schools, real estate, and financial investments, contributing to the broader Catholic Church's net worth. Its elite member base and global influence keep it relevant among the 5 richest religious organisations in the world.
12. Trinity Church, Manhattan – $6 billion
Located in New York City, Trinity Church is considered the richest church in America at the local parish level. It owns extensive Manhattan real estate, generating millions in rental income. Despite its small congregation, its landholdings secure a place in the top 10 richest organisations in the world in religious wealth.
11. Church of Sweden – $11.4 billion
Once the state church, the Church of Sweden holds large real estate, forest lands, and cultural properties. Its combination of historic assets and local tithes makes it one of Europe’s wealthiest Protestant institutions and part of the top 10 richest religions in the world list.
10. Church of England – $11.9 billion
As the official church of England, it possesses historic cathedrals, schools, and investment funds. Revenue is derived from land rents, donations, and endowments.
9. Seventh‑Day Adventist Church – $15.6 billion
The Seventh‑Day Adventist Church has a global network of hospitals, universities, publishing houses, and media outlets. These ventures, along with donations, make it one of the 5 richest religious organisations in the world outside Catholicism.
8. Catholic Church in the Philippines – $20 billion
Source: Facebook
The Philippine Catholic Church owns schools, universities, and large parcels of land, making it a major regional contributor to the Catholic Church's net worth. It highlights the church’s strong presence in Asia.
7. Catholic Church in Australia – $30 billion
Investigations estimate that the Australian Catholic Church is worth about $30 billion through real estate, schools, hospitals, and investments. It is a major reason people ask, “How much is the Catholic Church worth worldwide?” due to its global branches.
6. Catholic Church in France – $23 billion
Source: Getty Images
France’s branch of Catholicism maintains historic cathedrals and properties like Notre Dame. Real estate and cultural tourism keep it high on the top 10 richest religions in the world.
5. Catholic Church in Germany – $26 billion
Germany’s Catholic Church benefits from the nation’s church tax system, high-value properties, and cultural holdings. Its financial power makes it one of the richest organisations in the world in religious terms.
4. Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Indiana, USA) – $30 billion+ assets
Though smaller in scale than entire denominations, this iconic U.S. basilica owns valuable land and endowments, further solidifying the wealth of American Catholic institutions.
3. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints (LDS) – $293 billion
The LDS Church is among the 5 richest religious organisations in the world, supported by tithes, businesses, and investments. Its estimated $293 billion wealth makes it a contender for the top 10 richest organisations in the world.
2. Catholic Church (Vatican City & Global Holdings) – Trillions (symbolic)
The Catholic Church's net worth is often debated. Vatican Bank and global real estate have billions in tangible assets, but priceless art and historical properties bring their symbolic wealth into the trillions, making Catholicism the richest religion in the world.
1. Global Catholic Church Network – Multi‑trillion Influence
When counting all local dioceses, properties, schools, and global branches, the Catholic Church stands as not only the richest religion in America but also the richest organisation in the world, topping the 15 richest churches in the world 2025 list.
This ranking reflects global church wealth based on available estimates, highlighting the intersection of faith, history, and financial power.
How much is the catholic church worth worldwide?
In 2025, the Catholic Church’s worldwide net worth is difficult to pin down because it operates through thousands of dioceses, parishes, schools, and hospitals. The Vatican’s central assets are estimated at around $3 billion, but when you include global properties and priceless cultural assets, estimates range from tens of billions to over $1–2 trillion.
This immense wealth—fueled by real estate, donations, and historic holdings—makes the Catholic Church widely regarded as the richest religion in the world.
What is the richest church in the world in 2025?
The richest church in the world in 2025 is the Catholic Church, with an estimated net worth in the trillions when accounting for its global properties, investments, schools, hospitals, and priceless art collections.
Its tangible assets, including the Vatican Bank, land holdings, and real estate, are worth tens of billions, but the symbolic wealth of its historical and cultural properties makes Catholicism the richest religion in the world and a contender for the richest organisation in the world.
What is the largest church in the world in 2025?
The largest church in the world in 2025 depends on whether you measure by physical size or seating capacity. By overall area, the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, remains the largest, covering around 30,000 m² and standing 158 m tall, surpassing even St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, which holds up to 60,000 people and remains the largest interior church.
In terms of seating capacity, Africa leads with massive megachurches. Nigeria’s Glory Dome of Dunamis International Gospel Centre currently seats about 100,000 worshippers, while the Hand of God Cathedral in Port Harcourt, expected to be completed in 2025, is set to become the world’s largest single-auditorium church with 120,000 seats.
What religion are most billionaires?
In 2025, most billionaires in the world are Christians, making Christianity the most common religion among the ultra-wealthy. Studies from Wealth‑X and other global wealth reports show that over 60% of billionaires identify as Christian, followed by Hindus, Jews, and Muslims.
This reflects the economic dominance of historically Christian countries such as the United States and many parts of Europe. While significant numbers of billionaires are also Hindu, Jewish, or Muslim, Christianity remains the richest religion in the world in terms of the number of individuals holding extreme wealth.
What is the fastest-growing church in the world right now?
Source: Getty Images
According to a 2025 Pew Research Centre study, Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the world, increasing by around 347 million followers between 2010 and 2020—a growth of 1.8% annually, more than double the global population growth rate.
How rich is the Catholic Church compared to other churches?
The Catholic Church is considered the richest church in the world. While the Vatican’s central assets are valued at around $3 billion, when you include global dioceses, properties, schools, hospitals, and priceless artworks, estimates reach $1–2 trillion.
This far surpasses other churches like the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), which is worth around $100–200 billion, making Catholicism the most financially influential Christian institution worldwide.
Exploring the richest churches in the world in 2025 highlights how faith and finance often intersect. While these institutions command immense wealth, they also play major roles in humanitarian efforts, cultural preservation, and global outreach.
Tuko.co.ke highlighted the world's wealthiest pastors. These men of God travel the world in private jets to spread the Gospel and are also known to have luxurious lifestyles.
Interestingly, several African televangelists are in the top spot, although wealthy sanctuaries are primarily in the USA and Europe. Check the article for more.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Venic Nyanchama (Lifestyle writer) Venic Nyanchama is an editor with more than 8 years of experience in journalism. She has an educational background in Journalism and Media Studies from the University of Nairobi, having graduated in 2014. Venic has worked on different platforms, such as Rumour Juice and Yen.com.gh. Her content encompasses celebrity biographies, education, guides, fashion, and gaming. In 2023, Venic finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques and the Google News Initiative. You can reach her via venicmwendwa@gmail.com.
Kevin Omuya (Lifestyle writer) Kevin Omuya is a professional content writer with over three years of experience. At Legit.ng, he has contributed to extensive research on various topics such as celebrity news, fashion, and biographies. He has also worked as an editor and content creator at SportsCulture and CottageMed. In 2019, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Digital Media from KCA University. You can reach him through his email: komuya89@gmail.com
