Staff File Photo by Dan Henry The congregation gathers for worship at Collegedale Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Among major denominations, the biggest churches in the area and their average attendance are:

• 1. TIE Dallas Bay Baptist Church in Hixson, 2,500

• 1. TIE Ridgedale Baptist Church in Chattanooga, 2,500

• 3. First Baptist Church in Cleveland, 2,400

• 4. Silverdale Baptist Church in Chattanooga, 2,065

• 5. Brainerd Baptist Church in Chattanooga, 2,000

• 6. Abba's House/Central Baptist in Hixson, 1,750

• 7. Collegedale Seventh-day Adventist Church in Collegedale, 1,600

• 8. Bayside Baptist Church in Harrison, 1,300

Source:Hartford Institute for Religious Institute study of churches among major denominations. Although Southern Baptist Convention churches are included in the study, independent Baptist churches such as Orchard Knob Baptist Church were not. And church data.