Megachurches Rebound While Smaller Congregations Still Struggle, Study Finds
A new study from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research found that two-thirds of U.S. megachurches now exceed their pre-pandemic attendance levels. Smaller churches have not seen the same recovery and continue to face declining numbers.
Two-thirds of U.S. megachurches now report attendance above pre-pandemic levels, according to a 2026 study from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. The study surveyed 589 large Protestant congregations and found that 86 percent describe themselves as thriving.
Financial health at these large churches has also improved, with giving rates outpacing both inflation and attendance growth. More than 75 percent of megachurches now run leadership residency or training programs.
Smaller churches tell a different story. Many continue to report declining attendance and lack the resources to experiment with new ministry models. Experts note that much of the growth at larger churches comes from members moving between congregations rather than new conversions.
Megachurches have adapted through multisite models, with 67 percent operating multiple campuses, and small group structures, with 94 percent using them to maintain community connection despite large overall headcounts.
An Austin, Texas church is taking adaptation a step further, planning to use 3D printing technology to construct its new building. The project reflects a broader trend of larger congregations investing in innovation to attract and retain members.
Overall U.S. church attendance has stabilized after years of decline, but at a lower baseline than before the pandemic. Younger adults, including Millennials and Gen Z, are attending at higher rates than expected, though they remain more likely to be religiously unaffiliated than older generations.
