Lakewood Church, Evangelical megachurch in Houston, United States.
Lakewood Church is an evangelical megachurch in Houston housed in a converted sports arena and ranks among the largest worship venues in the United States. The former Compaq Center contains a central auditorium with 16,800 seats and multiple meeting rooms for religious services and community gatherings.
John Osteen and his wife Dolores established Lakewood Church in 1959, starting in a tent before moving to an abandoned feed store in northeast Houston. Their son Joel took over leadership in 1999 and led the move to the former basketball and concert arena in 2005.
The congregation holds four English and two Spanish language services weekly, bringing together a multicultural community from across the Houston metropolitan area. During worship sessions, thousands of attendees fill the former arena and create an atmosphere of shared devotion that stretches across different languages and cultural backgrounds.
The church maintains an extensive television broadcasting network that transmits religious programs to more than 100 countries through various satellite and cable networks. Visitors planning to attend should consider parking options around the former arena, as the site draws large crowds during service times.
During natural disasters such as Tropical Storm Allison, the church building transforms into an emergency shelter, accommodating thousands of displaced residents. The building still retains some elements from its era as home to the Houston Rockets, including the grand entrance halls and the sprawling outdoor grounds.
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