Sunday, 21 July 2024

thumbnail

The 3 Largest Church Auditoriums Globally by Seating Capacity

 

1. Kingdom of Jesus Christ Kingdome, Davao City, Phillipines-75, 000 Seating Capacity
The KJC King Dome is a multipurpose indoor arena currently under construction in Davao City, Philippines. With a planned seating capacity of 75,000, the structure will be one of the largest indoor arenas in the world if completed surpassing the 55,000-capacity Philippine Arena in Bocaue as the largest in the Phillipines and the whole of Asia.
The KJC KingDome is spearheaded by Pastor Quiboloy.
Initially projected to cost ₱6 billion (6 billion pesos) , the construction cost for the KJC King Dome increased to ₱13 billion (13 billion pesos) or $232 million due to delays. In November 2023, the indoor arena is reportedly almost complete and was scheduled to be fully operational by April 2024. However, due to ongoing challenges faced by Pastor Quilboloy in the Philippines, completion might be ready not later than September for the Church's 39th anniversary and the use might also be delayed for dedication by Quilboloy himself who presently is unavailable.
The KJC KingDome stands as the 4th largest church auditorium in the world today. It will be one of the most ultra modern facilities in the world on completion with 38 elevators and 8 chillers of about 300 tons each.
The building has a depth Foundation of 9metres.
Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) are the builders of KJC KingDome. The height is 29m or 95ft apparently because the first level is built downwards.
Construction commenced on 3rd September 2012 and is estimated to be completed in 12 years exactly. The building is 95% completed.
The KJC Dome was planned solely as a cathedral to seat 50,000 initially.
It has a double-curved glass curtain wall, a cellular aluminum panel system and flood lighting. Its facade looks like a crown. The structure has 6 layers of insulation and waterproofing.
Originally planned solely as a cathedral for the KJC, it will be also used for other events such as concerts, boxing events and basketball games.The facility will host a cube scoreboard.
The King Dome will be part of the Kingdom Global City Commercial Complex, a mixed-used development registered as a Tourism Enterprise Zone (TEZ). The complex will house a condominium, a hotel, a museum, a hangar, a water park, a commercial center, and an administration complex.

2. Philippine Arena, Bulacan, Philippines-55,000
The Philippine Arena is a truly remarkable landmark that holds numerous fascinating stories and impressive statistics. Located in Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines, it is the world’s 5th largest indoor arena and one of the most iconic structures in the Philippines. Built by the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) religious group, the Philippine Arena boasts an astonishing seating capacity of 55,000, making it first of all a church facility and secondly a venue for various events ranging from sports tournaments to large-scale concerts and religious gatherings.

But the Philippine Arena is not just about its massive size – it is also steeped in history and surrounded by interesting facts.
The Philippine Arena is a true spectacle to behold. From its impressive architectural design to its record-breaking features, this iconic structure has undoubtedly made a significant impact on the local and international stage.
Philippine Arena was at inception the largest indoor arena globally, holding over 50,000 people. However it has held the record for possibly one of the shortest periods in history-3 years.
As stated earlier, It is not just for sports and concerts, but also for religious gatherings and conventions, making it a versatile and impressive venue.
With its sustainable design, cutting-edge technology, and cultural significance, the Philippine Arena is not just a landmark but also a symbol of national pride and a must-visit destination for tourists.
It is only a matter of time before the Guinness World records updates the list which in less than 9 years has been so tampered with due to the magnitude of church projects coming up in recent times both in Philippines and in fact Nigeria after the announcement of Philippines Arena by Guinness World Records in 2015.
Designed by architect Daniel Libeskind, the Philippine Arena showcases a unique and innovative architectural style. Its distinctive shape, reminiscent of the petals of a flower, represents the warm hospitality and grace of the Filipino people.
The Philippine Arena is not only remarkable in size but also in its commitment to sustainability. Designed with energy-saving features, including efficient lighting and cooling systems, it aims to reduce its environmental impact and promote eco-friendly practices.
Beyond its architectural grandeur, the Philippine Arena holds significant importance to the religious community. It is owned by the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ), a renowned religious organization in the Philippines, reflecting their dedication and faith.
Adorned with thousands of LED lights, the Philippine Arena illuminates the night sky with vibrant colors, creating a stunning visual spectacle. Its radiant presence is a sight to behold, capturing the imagination and awe of all who witness it.
The Philippine Arena boasts state-of-the-art technology, ensuring a seamless and immersive experience for both performers and spectators. From advanced sound systems to high-definition video screens, it provides unparalleled audiovisual quality.
The architectural design of the Philippine Arena was inspired by traditional Filipino elements, blending modern aesthetics with cultural heritage. Its unique combination of contemporary and indigenous motifs embodies the rich history and artistry of the nation.
In conclusion, the Philippine Arena is a truly astounding landmark that holds several remarkable records. From its immense size to its innovative design, this architectural marvel has placed the Philippines on the map in terms of world-class venues. the Philippine Arena is undoubtedly a symbol of grandeur and sophistication. Beyond its physical attributes, the arena also stands as a testament to the creativity and engineering prowess of the Filipino people.
With its ability to accommodate millions of people, its impressive infrastructure, and its versatile usage, the Philippine Arena has become an iconic landmark that is admired both locally and globally. It continues to attract visitors who are intrigued by its magnificence and charm. As the 5th largest indoor arena in the world, the Philippine Arena serves as a source of national pride and showcases the country’s ability to create structures that leave a lasting impact. It is undoubtedly a destination that should be on every traveler’s bucket list when visiting the Philippines.
Source: Lamudi 


3. Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria-50, 000
By Daniel Breakforth
“Get a piece of paper or jotter and write this down. It is not only faith but a fact…; in exactly one year from now, we shall dedicate our 50,000 capacity auditorium”.
Bishop David Oyedepo
14th Victory Celebration
17 September 1998
Some 42 years ago and precisely on April 10, 1982, a 25 year old polytechnic graduate and his ‘cohorts’ who tagged themselves as the ‘Powerhouse’ gathered at a secondary school in Erinle, somewhere in the South Western part of Nigeria to have a campmeeting tagged ‘Powerhouse’ meetings ostensibly as part of preparation to start a church ministry. At some point during the meeting, prophecies began to come forth through the leader. One of these prophecies stated
‘At the Base of this Church, a TENT shall be built to contain 50,000 people’. 

Humorously, after that meeting, a few of these members left as they could not comprehend the gibberish from this young man. About 70 participants participated in the group which prayed for over 26 months till September 17, 1983 when the new church was eventually commissioned in Kwara State, Nigeria by Pastor Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
In December 1983, the Church commenced activities in a one bedroom apartment at ES, Ramat Close, Ungwan Rimi, Kaduna in North Western Nigeria and as the crowd grew to 90, she commenced the building with bamboo sticks of what was then named ‘The Grass Cathedral’. By 1989, the Church commenced the ‘Garden of Faith’ project, a 4,000 capacity, the largest church building in northern Nigeria on completion by December 1995.
In 1989, the Church opened up at New Era Road, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos on July 19. In 1993, the Winners’ Chapel 3,000 capacity facility with the L shaped structure terminating with an 8 floor World Mission Tower in the Winners’ Complex known as ‘Capernaum’ commenced and was dedicated by the Archbishop Benson Idahosa on 12th December 1995. Located on 28, Raji Oba Street, Iyana Ipaja.
On 23rd November 1995, another signal came to prepare the Church to build a new structure. People were sent to look for a suitable place for a bigger church. Late in 1997,a convoy which included the leader of the Church Bishop Oyedepo went to see the property that had been recommended. As the group came together to give thanks on site, the Bishop said he heard God say clearly “This is the Place”.
By May 1998, the Church bought the first 530 acres of landed property for N200 million ($2,857,000) at kilometre 10, Idiroko Road, Ota.
In order to commence this project, a number of construction majors in Nigeria, about 3 in number were called. Based on their analysis, it would take a minimum of 3 years at best to finish this project and the idea of building such gargantuan structure without a visible pillar was to them simply impossible. The more time on a construction project means more money for the construction company. One year was simply too fast. The companies declined.
Putting this in clearer perspective, in November 1998, Julius Berger commenced renovation of the 10,000 capacity Eagle Square, Abuja, an open air grandstand which lasted 6 months and completed it in April 1999. Budget provision in 1999 was N687,353.000 ($4million in today's equivalent) and total renovation cost was N2,000,000,000 ($12.6million)
Winners' Chapel therefore invited Julius Berger among others to bid for the construction of the 50,000 capacity Faith Tabernacle within 12 months and Julius Berger insisted that the time frame was impossible and unrealistic as 3 years was a more realistic time frame.
Eventually, pastors and church members who were professionals commenced Direct Labour construction of the Tabernacle.
On August 29, 1998, the Foundation laying event was carried out with Bishop Oyedepo revealing the different facilities and institutions that were going to be constructed. They were all going to be part of a 12 year plan. The secondary school, Faith Academy was to be known as ‘Moriah’ while the Faith Tabernacle was to be built on about 66 acres of land named ‘Shiloh’. The Pastors’ quarters was to be built at ‘Ramoth-Gilead’ shortened as ‘Ramoth’ while the University was to be built at ‘Hebron’-The birthplace of Kings and Queens.
During the Victory Celebration thanksgiving service held in September 1998, Bishop Oyedepo announced the construction which was to be completed in a year. There was palpable shock and gasps and then claps, shouts and praises rent the air. The next day, measurement started at the site. Amount reserved for the project was N120 million at inception. By December 3, the Church held her first service on the construction site after the foundation had been laid. During construction carried out by architects and engineers who were members of the Church, some of whom offered voluntary services, a trailer was said to have made a smooth U-turn inside the central area of the hall without having to engage the reverse gear.
The project slowed down and people began to get worried as they visited the site. Bishop Oyedepo had in his usual manner made so many statements that members of the congregation began to pity him. The construction was now 5 weeks behind. Members felt the dedication date could be shifted forward slightly and all would be fine. Pastors suggested that Faith Academy project growing concurrently at Moriah should be suspended so that all efforts could be focussed on the Tabernacle. Instead the Bishop insisted:
September 18 is a Practical Reality.
Again he said
"It took God 7 days to create the world, it won’t take him more than 1 year to build an ordinary structure…TWO MONTHS, TOO MUCH’.
And again:
‘If this building is not completed in 1 year, I am not called by God’.
Construction continued even till September 11, a week to the dedication when painting began while windows were still being fixed on the 17th, a day to dedication. Bishop Mike Okonkwo of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission and then the President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria preached on September 18, the dedication day to a crowd of 97,800 people. The Tabernacle had been completed in exactly 12 months as had been prophesied and recorded funds spent cost a total of about N900 million (about $11 million). Pastor Adeboye was represented. He however sent a word; Soon , no building will be able to contain the crowd in this place.
Faith Tabernacle has counted 51,400 seats. She commenced with one service with Bishop Oyedepo declaring ‘The Tabernacle has been built, the Tabernacle must be filled’. After almost 10 years, 2nd service began; it soon increased to 3 and 4 services.Presently it runs 3 services. In January 2008, Guiness Book of World Records declared that Faith Tabernacle was indeed the largest church auditorium in the world. By June 2015, the 5th service began with massive overflow tents accommodating another 52,000 people and attendance increasing to 400,000. In November 2016, the Tabernacle was fitted with air conditioners.
Faith Tabernacle is a masterpiece of architectural brilliance, a testament of vision becoming reality. Simply described, it resembles looking down from above-the three blades of a ceiling fan, each arm representing ‘God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. With a red roof and a cream underbelly. The wings are 6 in number namely Faith, Hope, Love, Honour (Elders and Pastors Wing), Glory (Choir Wing) and Grace. The construction engineer was also awarded the engineer of the year award in 1999 by the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE).
Gigantic as it is, it was achieved by an all-Nigerian think tank without a single visible pillar standing, one feat the congregation and Presiding Bishop, himself a qualified architect revel in. The massive size, high, open roof structure and highly reflective walls and floor caused acoustical problems that plagued the congregation for years. Eventually, in December 2006, that was fixed with the purchase of a new sound system costing about N100 million. ($1 million) as at then the largest single investment of the Church.
Faith Tabernacle may no longer be the world’s largest church auditorium. However, the Tabernacle is preparing to serve as overflow to a larger facility. Placing time vis a vis size however, this most utilized auditorium is the fastest mega church auditorium ever constructed. It will always be remembered as the Tabernacle that Faith built.
It is the 6th largest church auditorium as at today. 

Subscribe by Email

Follow Updates Articles from This Blog via Email

No Comments

About