One of the most well-known institutions in the world is the church. This has gradually resulted in figures, and figures in wealth.
Spirituality and religion play a crucial role in human existence. The ability to communicate with a higher power gives believers a sense of belonging. Churches are among the oldest human-built structures, and Christianity makes up a significant share of the world’s religions today. Churches are not merely places of worship; they are also wealthy institutions, ranking among the richest in the world.
What then makes a church wealthy? Many of the wealthiest denominations in the world have a sizable property holdings, a reliable source of income, and successful investments. For instance, the Catholic church owns hospitals, schools, and other organizations that benefit society and generate profits. These metrics, which are used to determine the organization’s worth, were used to produce the list that follows.
Below is a list of top ten wealthiest and richest churches (religious organizations) in the world in 2023.
10. The Kenneth Copeland Ministry
This church is owned by a person. The name of the person is the primary name of the church, Kenneth Copeland.
Kenneth Copeland, is a known Preacher and his Church ministry has an estimated net worth of NOT less than $950,000 million dollars.
Source Of Wealth: He owns a TV Channel and several other businesses that aid the spread of the gospel and at the same time generate income for him. Like other pastors, he earns mainly from church donations.
9. Freemasonry
While many might argue that the freemasonry is not really a church, that might be true in some extent but the organization Freemasonry operates basically just like a normal church. Which is why we have included it in the list of the richest churches in the world.
Members of the Freemason are known to be very wealthy individuals who own very big organizations worldwide.
They are very powerful to the extent of having their symbol appear on the dollar bill. Claims have it that they are the richest organizations in the world.
The freemasonry do NOT necessarily believe in God, they believe in their own ‘God’ who is not the the Father of Jesus Christ.
The freemasonry has an estimated net worth of $1.9 billion dollars.
Source Of Wealth: Masons are affiliated with eye banks. Their source income also come from members contributions
8: Episcopalian Church
The New York based church, Episcopalian Church was separated from the Church of England immediately after the American Revolution happened.
The Episcopalian church has grown rapidly since then and it is now standing at an estimated net worth of $2.4 billion dollars. Remember the revenue is still growing.
Source Of Wealth: The financial base of The Episcopal Church is the voluntary financial contributions of its members.
7. Church of Scientology
It was launched in May 1952 by the American Author L. Ron Hubbard who came up with a program of ideas known as the Dianetics. It is also among the richest churches in the world today.
Church of Scientology is said to have a whipping general net worth of $3 billion dollars.
Source Of Wealth: Church of Scientology makes their wealth from Business practices – In addition, Church of Scientology franchises/missions, pay the Church roughly 10% of their gross income. The Church charges for auditing and other Church-related courses required for advancing through the ranks of Scientology. These programs can run to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars
6. Opus Dei
This church describes itself as ‘a personal prelature of the Catholic church that helps people seek holiness in their work and ordinary activities’.
Located in Italy, the Opus Dei is among the richest churches in the world with net worth of $3.7 billion dollars this year.
Source Of Wealth: Opus Dei main sources of income (for the School of Industrial Engineering) are the Corporations in Guipuzcoa and particularly the Provincial Bank of Guipuzcoa. The prelature of Opus Dei is also financed in the same way as the dioceses and other future prelatures, that is, above all by the contributions of its own faithful and of other people who provide financial assistance for its mission
5. Church of England
It is also known as the Anglican Church. Here, the Archbishop of Canterbury is the most senior cleric. This church has its headquarters in the United Kingdom and its net worth is about $10 billion.
Source Of Wealth: Donations comprise its largest source of income, though it also relies heavily on the income from its various endowments.
4. Catholic Church Australia
The catholic church Australia is number 4 on this list of the richest churches in the world this year.
The church is a catholic theme church and it has an estimate of about $24 billion dollars in terms of its general net worth.
Source Of Wealth: The Australia Catholic church has an important centre with a large network of parishes, schools, hospitals and nursing homes. The church also has extensive non-property assets including Catholic Church Insurance and its own internal banks – often known as Catholic Development Funds
3. Catholic Church Germany
This is the Roman Church of Germany. It is part of the worldwide Catholic church in communion with the pope, assisted by the Roman Curia. Its net worth is about $27 billion.
Source Of Wealth: Generates money through donations tax. In 2013, the Catholic Church in Germany received almost €5.5 billion (£4.6 billion) via the church tax. Many international Catholic charitable activities would simply be impossible without German money.
2. Catholic Church Vatican
Catholic Church Vatican has an amazing interior design.
It is also known as the See of Rome or the Holy See. This is the Universal home of all the Catholic churches as well as the Bishop of Rome (Pope). It is worth $33 billion.
Source of Wealth: The Holy See is the governing body of the nation and generates money through donations; it then invests a portion of that money in stocks, bonds, and real estate. Vatican City generates revenue through museum admissions and the sale of coins, stamps, and publications.
1. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints
The church tops among wealthiest and richest churches in the world. This is a non- Trinitarian Christian restorationist church whose headquarters is located in the United States. It is commonly known as the LDS Church or the Mormon Church. It is worth about $100 billion.
Source Of Wealth: According to the Church, most of its revenues come in the form of tithes and fast offerings contributed by church members.
