History of Lakewood Church in Timeline

Lakewood Church, a non-denominational evangelical Christian megachurch in Houston, Texas, is one of the largest congregations in the U.S., drawing approximately 45,000 weekly attendees. It holds services in a 16,800-seat building, the former Compaq Center. Joel Osteen serves as the senior pastor, with his wife, Victoria, as co-pastor. The church hosts multiple English and Spanish-language services each week.

May 10, 1959: Lakewood Church Founding

On May 10, 1959, Lakewood Church, originally named Lakewood Baptist Church, was founded by John Osteen and his wife, Dolores (Dodie), on Mother's Day in a tent in Houston.

1961: John Osteen Called to Missions

In 1961, John Osteen left Lakewood Church to pursue missions.

1969: John Osteen Returns

In 1969, John Osteen returned to Lakewood Church after being called to missions.

1972: Groundbreaking for New Building

In 1972, Lakewood Church broke ground for a new building that seated seven hundred people.

1979: Attendance Exceeds Five Thousand

By 1979, Lakewood Church's attendance was over five thousand, and it was becoming prominent among Pentecostals and charismatics.

February 15, 1987: Groundbreaking for New Sanctuary

On February 15, 1987, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for Lakewood's new eight-thousand-seat sanctuary.

April 1988: Completion of New Sanctuary

In April 1988, the new eight-thousand-seat sanctuary was completed.

January 23, 1999: Death of John Osteen

John Osteen, the founder of Lakewood Church, died on January 23, 1999.

2001: Lakewood Church Opens as Shelter

In 2001, during Tropical Storm Allison, Lakewood Church opened as a shelter to approximately five thousand displaced persons.

2002: Hispanic Ministry Founded

In 2002, Lakewood began a Hispanic ministry, Iglesia Lakewood, founded by Hispanic Pastor Marcos Witt and his wife, Miriam Witt.

2003: Lease Signed for Compaq Center

In late 2003, Lakewood Church, under Joel Osteen, signed a long-term lease with the city of Houston to acquire the Compaq Center, a former sports arena.

July 16, 2005: Relocation to Compaq Center

On July 16, 2005, Lakewood Church relocated to the Compaq Center in Houston, a 16,800-seat facility.

October 14, 2007: "Joel Osteen Answers his Critics"

On October 14, 2007, 60 Minutes ran a segment titled "Joel Osteen Answers his Critics", during which Michael Horton called Osteen's message heresy.

2007: Television Ministry Spending

In 2007, Lakewood Church reported spending nearly $30 million every year on its television ministry.

March 31, 2010: Houston City Council Approves Property Sale

On March 31, 2010, the Houston City Council voted to sell the former building to Lakewood Church for $7.5 million.

September 2012: New Associate Pastors for Hispanic Ministry

In September 2012, Danilo and Gloriana Montero assumed the role of associate pastors for the Hispanic ministry, Iglesia Lakewood.

April 21, 2013: Osteen on Prosperity Gospel

In an interview with The Christian Post on April 21, 2013, Joel Osteen expressed his sentiments on being perceived as being part of the prosperity gospel.

2014: $600,000 Disappears From Safe

In 2014, $600,000 in cash and checks disappeared from a safe at Lakewood Church.

2016: Mobilizing Medical Missions Conference

Since 2016, Lakewood Church organizes an annual Mobilizing Medical Missions Conference to equip doctors for on-field medical missions.

March 2017: Lakewood Church's Income

According to the Houston Chronicle Lakewood church’s income was $89m in the year ending March 2017. More than 90 percent of that was raised from church followers and barely 1 percent of its budget went to charitable causes.

2017: Criticism During Hurricane Harvey

During Hurricane Harvey in 2017, Joel Osteen received criticism for not initially making Lakewood Church available as an emergency shelter.

August 15, 2018: "Lakewood Church Day"

On August 15, 2018, the City of Houston proclaimed a "Lakewood Church Day" in honor of Lakewood's assistance in reconstruction efforts across the Houston area.

November 2018: Lakewood Church Listed as Largest Megachurch

In November 2018, CBS News listed Lakewood Church as the largest megachurch in the United States, with approximately 43,500 weekly visitors.

December 3, 2021: Cash and Checks Found in Wall

On December 3, 2021, news services reported that a plumber found cash and checks within a wall behind a toilet that was being repaired at Lakewood Church. The money may have been related to a 2014 incident.

2021: Hurricane Ida and Texas Freeze Shelter Services

In 2021, Lakewood Church provided shelter services during Hurricane Ida and the Texas Freeze.

February 11, 2024: Shooting at Lakewood Church

On February 11, 2024, a woman with a history of mental health issues entered Lakewood Church and began firing an AR-15. She was killed by off-duty officers, and her son was critically injured.