Top 10 Largest Catholic Churches In Africa By Capacity
This guide ranked the top 10 biggest Catholic churches In Africa based on their seating capacity:
Rank | Church Name | Location | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Basilica of Our Lady of Peace | Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast | 18,000 |
2 | St. Peter's Anglican Cathedral | Kumasi, Ghana | 12,000 |
3 | Holy Cross Cathedral | Lagos, Nigeria | 9,000 |
4 | Notre-Dame Cathedral | Bangui, Central African Republic | 8,000 |
5 | Regina Mundi Catholic Church | Soweto, South Africa | 7,000 |
6 | Cathedral of Notre Dame | Kinshasa, DR Congo | 5,000 |
7 | Cathedral of the Holy Cross | Lusaka, Zambia | 5,000 |
8 | Rubaga Cathedral | Kampala, Uganda | 5,000 |
9 | Holy Family Basilica | Nairobi, Kenya | 4,000 |
10 | Sacred Heart Cathedral | Kenya | 2,000 |
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1. Basilica Of Our Lady Of Peace (Ivory Coast) – 18,000
The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, located in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), is Africa’s largest Catholic church and is also the largest church in the world, according to Guinness World Records.
Completed in 1990, this massive structure can hold up to 18,000 worshippers, including 7,000 seated and 11,000 standing. Designed by Lebanese architect Pierre Fakhoury, the basilica was inspired by Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City but is not a replica.
Its dome, at 158 meters tall, is slightly shorter than Saint Peter’s but has a larger cross. The basilica covers an area of 30,000 square meters, featuring marble imported from Italy and 8,400 square meters of stained glass handmade in France.
Built between 1985 and 1989, the construction cost estimates range from $175 million to $600 million, drawing criticism due to the country’s economic struggles at the time.
2. St. Peter’s Anglican Cathedral (Ghana) – 12,000
St. Peter’s Cathedral Basilica in Kumasi, Ghana, is the second-largest Catholic church in Africa, serving as the seat of the Archdiocese of Kumasi and was consecrated on June 2, 2004.
This Roman Catholic cathedral is dedicated to Saint Peter and is located in the Ashanti Region. Its capacity can hold up to 12,000 worshippers, making it one of the largest churches in Africa by seating capacity.
The cathedral is designed in a combination of traditional Ghanaian architecture and European ecclesiastical styles. It features Gothic Revival influences, with pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses.
The church’s stained glass windows depict scenes from the Bible and saints. St. Peter’s Cathedral also plays a big part in the community. It hosts regular services, educational programs, and outreach activities.
The cathedral is also involved in social services, addressing issues like poverty, education, and healthcare in Kumasi. Additionally, it has undergone renovation projects to maintain its historical and architectural significance.
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3. Holy Cross Cathedral (Nigeria) – 9,000
Holy Cross Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church in Lagos, Nigeria, serving as the seat of the Archdiocese of Lagos. Built in 1939, it has a capacity of 9,000 people, and it is the third-biggest catholic church in Africa.
The church was designed in a French Gothic style and its foundation stone was laid on 6 August 1934 by Bishop Francis O’Rourke. It was completed five years later.
Before the current cathedral, there was an older building inaugurated in 1881. This was considered a pro-cathedral and was instrumental in the ordination of the first three Yoruba priests in 1929.
In the 1930s, a larger cathedral became necessary due to the growing population, leading to the demolition of the original building. However, the cathedral was elevated to the status of a cathedral in 1950 when the apostolic vicariate of Lagos became a metropolitan archdiocese.
The archdiocese, by 2016, counted over 3 million baptized members. Also, the cathedral has seen many notable figures in its history, including S. J. Sawyerr, Lourenzo Antonio Cardoso, and Alfred Adewale Martins, the current Archbishop, who has held the position since 2012.
4. Notre-Dame Cathedral (Central African Republic) – 8,000
The Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l’Immaculée-Conception, also known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, is a major Roman Catholic church in Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR).
It was completed in 1937 and is the seat of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Bangui. The cathedral is known for its striking red brick architecture, a common style found in French tropical colonies.
Located about 2 kilometers from key landmarks like the Barthélemy Boganda Stadium and Bangui City Hall, the cathedral is a central point in the city. With a capacity of 8,000 people, it is one of the largest Catholic churches in Africa by capacity.
The cathedral holds historical value in the country. In 1977, it was the site of the Coronation Mass of Jean-Bédel Bokassa, the Emperor of the Central African Republic. Additionally, it hosted the opening of the first holy door during the Catholic Church’s Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in 2015.
5. Regina Mundi Catholic Church (South Africa) – 7,000
Regina Mundi Catholic Church, located in Rockville, Soweto, Johannesburg, is the largest Catholic church in South Africa, with a capacity of 5,000 to 7,000 people.
Regina Mundi Catholic Church was built in 1964, it replaced the old Moroka parish church and is often called “the people’s church” due to its role during the anti-apartheid struggle.
It became a gathering place for political meetings, as many public spaces were banned for such activities. The church was important during the 1976 Soweto Uprising, where police fired on demonstrators who sought refuge inside.
A key feature of Regina Mundi is the “Black Madonna” painting by Larry Scully. The church also holds notable artifacts like stained-glass windows, donated by Poland in 1998.
After the end of apartheid, a park and memorials were established in front of the church, making it a popular site for both locals and tourists.
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6. Our Lady Of The Congo Cathedral – 5,000
Our Lady of the Congo Cathedral, also known as Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Congo, is a prominent Catholic church located in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
It was built in 1947 when the country was still under Belgian colonial rule, making it a historical landmark in the region. The cathedral is situated on Liberation Avenue, formerly known as November 24 Avenue.
The church is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kinshasa and follows the Roman Catholic tradition. It is one of the largest Catholic churches in Africa, with a seating capacity of 5,000 people.
During the era of Mobutu Sese Seko, the cathedral was also referred to as the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lingwala, named after the area where it is located.
The cathedral is the headquarters of the Archdiocese of Kinshasa, which was established in 1959. The current bishop of the archdiocese is Fridolin Ambongo Besungu.
7. Cathedral Of The Holy Cross (Zambia) – 5,000
The Cathedral of the Holy Cross, located in Lusaka, Zambia, is an Anglican church and the seat of the Diocese of Lusaka. Completed in 1962, it was built under the vision of Bishop Francis Oliver Green Wilkinson.
Its design combines modern architectural styles with local culture and the environment. The cathedral’s exterior features large stained glass windows that depict biblical scenes.
Inside, the spacious nave, high ceilings, and a grand 1884 pipe organ create a powerful atmosphere for worship. The altar area is decorated with detailed woodwork and religious icons.
Aside from its religious role, the Cathedral of the Holy Cross serves as a hub for community engagement in Lusaka. It supports different outreach programs in education, health, and social services. The cathedral also hosts cultural events that celebrate Zambian traditions.
8. Rubaga Cathedral (Uganda) – 5,000
Saint Mary’s Cathedral Rubaga, also known as Rubaga Cathedral, is a Catholic church located in Kampala, Uganda. It is the main church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kampala, which is the oldest Catholic diocese in Uganda.
The cathedral is located on Lubaga Hill, about 3 kilometers west of the central business district of Kampala. It is the residence of the Archbishop of Kampala.
The cathedral’s history dates back to 1889 when Mwanga II, the King of Buganda, donated the land to French Catholic missionaries. However, construction began in 1914 and was completed in 1925.
The cathedral was consecrated on December 31, 1925. Rubaga Cathedral is known for its size, with a capacity of 5,000 people, making it one of the largest Catholic churches in Africa by capacity.
The cathedral is also the resting place of Archbishop Joseph Kiwanka, the first African Catholic Bishop and the first African Archbishop of Kampala.
9. Holy Family Basilica (Kenya) – 4,000
The Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Family is a prominent Catholic church in Nairobi, Kenya, with a seating capacity of 4,000. This church is the seat of the Archdiocese of Nairobi.
The original church, built in 1904, was the first stone building in Nairobi, with a seating capacity of just 4000 people. In 1960, a new design for the cathedral was created by Dorothy Hughes, and construction began soon after.
The modernist structure, completed in 1963, was officially opened on July 6, 1963. The cathedral’s interior features abstract stained glass, Carrara marble, and seating for 3,000 to 4,000 people.
It has eight chapels, with a main altar, two side altars, and a large crucifix in the sanctuary. The church was designated a basilica on February 15, 1982, and has hosted multiple visits by Pope John Paul II. This cathedral also provides services, a bookshop, and a school.
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10. Sacred Heart Cathedral (Kenya) – 2,000
The Sacred Heart Cathedral, located in Kericho, Kenya, is a Roman Catholic church and the cathedral of the Diocese of Kericho. It was completed and consecrated in 2015 and can hold about 2,000 people.
Located about 250 km west of Nairobi in the Highlands near the Great Rift Valley, this modern architectural gem blends African tradition with contemporary design.
Designed by John McAslan + Partners alongside Triad Architects, the cathedral spans 1,375 square meters. Its most feature is the inclined roof, which incorporates locally sourced cypress timber.
The roof also allows for natural light to enter through timber stats. Also, the cathedral’s design has local materials like granite, Nairobi blue stone, and clay tiles, and the building methods used involve local artisans.
