Lakewood Church Religious Site
Houston megachurch and large non-denominational congregation
Houston's Lakewood Church occupies the former Compaq Center and attracts visitors for large worship services, choir events and its prominence in contemporary American evangelical life.
Lakewood Church at a Glance#
Address: 3700 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77027, USA
Website: https://www.lakewoodchurch.com
About Lakewood Church#
Lakewood Church is a large non-denominational evangelical church based in Houston, Texas, led by Joel Osteen as senior pastor. The congregation is housed in the former Compaq Center arena and is one of the largest single churches in the United States.
Large, multi-service worship gatherings and staged music-led services are the norm, with programs for children, youth and community outreach operating alongside the main services. The church runs an active media ministry that broadcasts sermons and services to a global audience.
Founded by John Osteen in 1959, the congregation grew through the late 20th century under his leadership; Joel Osteen became senior pastor after his father’s death in 1999. Lakewood acquired the former Compaq Center arena in the early 2000s and opened the building for regular services in 2005.
Located in Houston on the Southwest Freeway corridor, the church building sits a few kilometres southwest of downtown Houston and is accessible by major city roads.
- Broadcast ministry: Services are broadcast internationally on television and online, reaching a large global audience beyond the local congregation.
- Building capacity: The main facility is the converted Compaq Center arena with seating capacity of roughly 16,000-17,000, allowing large onsite congregations.
What to See#
- Main sanctuary (former arena): The former Compaq Center arena reconfigured as the church’s main sanctuary, retaining large arena seating and stage facilities with capacity for around 16,000 people.
- Television and media ministry: A media production and broadcast operation that records and transmits the church’s weekly services and special programming to television and online platforms.
How to Get to Lakewood Church#
Lakewood Church occupies the former Compaq Center near the Galleria in Houston. It is accessible by car (major nearby roads include Westheimer Road and I-610); local taxis and ride-share services are commonly used for Sunday services.
Tips for Visiting Lakewood Church#
- Check service schedules-Lakewood Church is busy on Sundays with large services.
- Security and visitor information are handled through the church's main information desk; dress is casual but smart.
- The church runs community programs-visitors interested in services should consult the church calendar online.
Best Time to Visit Lakewood Church#
Events and services take place year-round; check the church website for the latest schedule and special events.
Weather & Climate near Lakewood Church#
Lakewood Church's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 6°C to 34°C. Abundant rainfall (1211 mm/year), wettest in June.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Very Good | 6° - 17° | 12° | 90 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 3.7 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 10.4h |
| February | Good | 8° - 19° | 13° | 77 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 3.8 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 11.0h |
| March | Very Good | 12° - 23° | 17° | 69 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 3.9 m/s | 1.3 high | 11.9h |
| April | Excellent | 15° - 26° | 21° | 80 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 4.0 m/s | 1.7 very high | 12.8h |
| May | Very Good | 19° - 30° | 25° | 125 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 3.8 m/s | 1.9 very high | 13.5h |
| June | Very Good | 23° - 33° | 30° | 139 mm | some cloud | 74% | 3.4 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 13.9h |
| July | Very Good | 24° - 34° | 33° | 102 mm | some cloud | 76% | 2.9 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 13.7h |
| August | Very Good | 23° - 34° | 33° | 100 mm | some cloud | 74% | 2.6 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 13.1h |
| September | Very Good | 21° - 32° | 27° | 133 mm | some cloud | 77% | 2.7 m/s | 1.7 very high | 12.2h |
| October | Excellent | 16° - 28° | 22° | 102 mm | mostly sunny | 76% | 2.9 m/s | 1.3 high | 11.3h |
| November | Excellent | 11° - 23° | 17° | 105 mm | some cloud | 78% | 3.3 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 10.6h |
| December | Good | 7° - 19° | 13° | 89 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 3.5 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.2h |
