Top 10 Tallest Church Buildings In The World

We’ve written on the most famous churches and most unique churches from around the world, and it’s time to list the tallest churches in history. Not surprising, the 10 tallest church buildings in the world are almost exclusively from Europe: 9 out of the 10 are European, and the other is from Africa. Another interesting fact is that out of the 10 cathedrals – only one was built during the 20th century (and it happen to be the single cathedral from Africa). Also note that the mentioned height is the original height, and for some of these structures it is not the current height, due to collapses that occurred over the years

10 tallest church buildings

• Ulm Minster, Ulm, Germany – 161.5 m (530 ft)
• Lincoln Cathedral, Lincoln, England – 159.7 m (524 ft)
• Our Lady of Peace Basilica, Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast – 158.0 m (518 ft)
• Cologne Cathedral, Cologne, Germany – 157.4 m (516 ft)
• Beauvais Cathedral, Beauvais, France – 153.0 (502 ft)
• St. Mary’s church, Stralsund, Germany – 151.0 m (495 ft)
• Rouen Cathedral, Rouen, France – 151.0 m (495
• Old St Paul’s Cathedral, London, England – 150.0 m (493 ft)
• St. Nicholas’ Church, Hamburg, Germany – 147.3 m (483 ft)
• Strasbourg Cathedral, Strasbourg, France – 142.0 m (466 ft)

1. Ulm Minster, Ulm, Germany – 161.5 m (530 ft)

The tallest cathedral in the world is also the most recent European church on this list to be built. 768 stairs lead up to the Ulm Minster, reaching a height of 143 meters. The structure's spires were originally intended to be shorter; however, they were extended so that the cathedral will be taller than the Cologne Cathedral, which was built just a decade earlier.

2. Lincoln Cathedral, Lincoln, England – 159.7 m (524 ft)

From the time it was finished in 1311 until 1549, the Lincoln Cathedral was the tallest building in the world. Since a spire fell in 1549, the height is only 83 meters today.

3. Our Lady of Peace Basilica, Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast – 158.0 m (518 ft)

The newest and only non-European church on this list is this cathedral, which was completed in 1989. In addition, it is arguably the largest cathedral in the entire world and the tallest cathedral in Africa.

4. Cologne Cathedral, Cologne, Germany – 157.4 m (516 ft)

The Cologne Cathedral was the tallest building in the world from its completion in 1880 till 1884

5. Beauvais Cathedral, Beauvais, France – 153.0 m (502 ft)

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A Roman Catholic cathedral that is still in use but is incomplete is the Beauvais Cathedral. In 1573, the tower that had reached the impressive height fell.

6. St. Mary’s church, Stralsund, Germany – 151.0 m (495 ft)

Completed in 1478, the church current height is 104 meters as a spire was destroyed in 1647

7. Rouen Cathedral, Rouen, France – 151.0 m (495 ft)

Between 1876 and 1880, when it was finished, the Rouen Cathedral was the tallest building in the world. It is still France's tallest church.

8. Old St Paul’s Cathedral, London, England – 150.0 m (493 ft)

The only cathedral on this list that is no longer in use is Old St. Paul's Cathedral. Old St. Paul's Cathedral, which was finished in 1240, was built in the spot where St. Paul's Cathedral is now. In 1666, the Great Fire of London completely destroyed it.

9. St. Nicholas’ Church, Hamburg, Germany – 147.3 m (483 ft)

Completed in 1874, this church was also once the tallest building in the world, from 1874 till 1876. It was heavily damaged by Allied air-force bombing in July 1943, and only the tower remained

10. Strasbourg Cathedral, Strasbourg, France – 142.0 m (466 ft)

Additionally, the Strasbourg Cathedral had the potential to be the world's tallest building. It was finished in 1439, but it was the tallest building in the world from 1647 to 1874.