Catholic Church Sees Surge in New Members Across America

Data shows a 38% growth in new members entering the church this Easter compared to 2025.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:33pm

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph of a person kneeling in prayer, with soft pools of warm light and color creating a contemplative, spiritual atmosphere.The vibrant resurgence of Catholic faith across America offers a glimmer of hope and renewal in a world seeking deeper meaning.Los Angeles Today

The Catholic Church in the United States is experiencing a significant growth in new members in 2026, with the average diocese seeing a 38% increase in new members entering the church this Easter compared to 2025 numbers. The largest dioceses, including Los Angeles, Phoenix, New York, and Chicago, have all seen substantial growth, with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles alone welcoming 8,000 new people into the Church.

Why it matters

The growth in Catholic Church membership reflects a broader resurgence of religion and faith in America, particularly among younger generations seeking deeper meaning and community. The data suggests a changing spiritual landscape, with more people open to exploring the person of Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Catholic faith.

The details

The data on the growth in new Catholic Church members comes from Hallow, the world's largest prayer app, which received information from the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) programs nationwide. The app's influence may be a factor in the growth, as it aims to help people build a deeper relationship with God through daily prayer.

  • The data was collected in the lead-up to Easter 2026.
  • Hallow founders were awarded the 2026 Christifideles Laici Award at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in March.

The players

Hallow

A prayer app that hosts more than 10,000 audio-guided prayer sessions and aims to help people build a deeper relationship with God. The app recently surpassed 1 billion prayers completed in more than 150 countries.

Alex Jones

The founder of Hallow, who was awarded the 2026 Christifideles Laici Award at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast for the app's impact.

Archdiocese of Los Angeles

The largest diocese in the country, which is welcoming 8,000 new people into the Church this Easter.

Diocese of Phoenix

One of the largest dioceses in the country, which has seen a 23% growth in new members.

Archdiocese of New York

One of the largest dioceses in the country, which has seen a 36% growth in new members.

Archdiocese of Chicago

One of the largest dioceses in the country, which has seen a 52% growth in new members.

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What they’re saying

“Wow thank you all for this...”

— Alex Jones, Founder of Hallow

The takeaway

The surge in new Catholic Church members across America reflects a broader spiritual awakening, with more people seeking deeper meaning and connection through faith. This growth offers hope and encouragement for believers, reminding them of the power of prayer and the enduring relevance of the Catholic Church's teachings in a world marked by confusion and distress.