Megachurch tileTennessee can now back its moniker as the “buckle of the Bible Belt” with solid numbers.
In a new visualization from Vox, Tennessee is revealed to be one of eight states that has more than 50 megachurches within its borders, as well as the state with the most megachurches per capita. Tennessee’s 67 megachurches is second to only four other states: California (219), Texas (207), Florida (120) and Georgia (91).
A megachurch is a large Protestant congregation with an average weekly attendance of 2,000-plus at its worship services. Affiliations such as nondenominational, Southern Baptist, Baptist, Assemblies of God, Christian, Calvary Chapel and United Methodist are included in this data.
Of the 67 in Tennessee, eight are in the Chattanooga area, including Abba’s House, Cleveland First Baptist, and Ridgedale, Brainerd, Dallas Bay, Silverdale and Bayside Baptist.
The largest in this region is Collegedale Church with 2,800 worshipers.
Read more from our news partner at The Tennessean.