First appearing in the 1950s, huge mega-churches began to spread across California and the Bible Belt in the '80s. The trend has continued into the new century, expanding into other areas of the United States.

The concept of super-large churches can include large auditoriums or amphitheaters, giant office complexes distinguished by crosses, gyms and playing fields of various kinds.

A growing number of these megachurches are nondenominational in outlook and embrace a mixture of conservative and liberal religious values. While supporting the Ten Commandments and decrying abortion, they may simultaneously accept Darwinism and reject creation. This modern approach to church construction is apparently bringing in the large numbers. But is bigger always best in the biblical sense? (Source: The Financial Times [London].)