Figures Indicate Positive Growth, Yet Numbers Still Below Pre-Pandemic Levels

The Church of England has reported a rise in attendance for the third consecutive year, with a notable increase in children attending services, although overall numbers remain below pre-pandemic levels. The latest early figures from the Church’s annual Statistics for Mission show a 5% increase in weekly attendance, bringing the total to 685,000 in 2023, up from 654,000 in 2022.

The number of children attending weekly services has risen by almost 6%, from 87,000 in 2022 to 92,000 in 2023. Despite this positive trend, total attendance across all age groups is still far from the 2019 level of 854,000. Attendance had plummeted to just 345,000 in 2020 during the height of the pandemic.

Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, welcomed the increase, particularly the rise in younger attendees, and expressed gratitude towards those involved in children’s ministry. He noted that while these figures are encouraging, they are just a snapshot of ongoing trends.

Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, also viewed the growth as a hopeful sign, stressing the importance of the Church’s efforts to engage with communities and revitalise parishes. While he acknowledged that it’s too early to determine if the growth will continue, he hailed the focus on reaching more people and becoming a younger, more diverse congregation.

The full report on Statistics for Mission is expected to be published later in the year.