The Church of England has reported a fourth consecutive year of growth in worship attendance, marking steady recovery since the pandemic, though overall numbers remain below pre-2020 levels.
According to the latest Statistics for Mission report, released in 2024, the Church recorded 1.009 million regular worshippers, representing a 0.6 per cent increase on the previous year. It is the second year since the pandemic that weekly attendance has surpassed the one-million mark.
Average Sunday attendance across all ages rose by 1.5 per cent, reaching 581,000, while overall weekly attendance grew by 1.6 per cent, climbing to just over 702,000. Church officials said the increase was largely driven by a rise in adult participation, with both Sunday and weekly attendance among over-16s up by 1.8 per cent.
The Church also saw growth in adult and teenage baptisms, continuing a trend of renewed engagement. In 2024, there were 8,700 adult baptisms, up from 7,800 the previous year, while baptisms among young people aged 11 to 17 rose from 2,100 to 2,400. Confirmations also increased by 5.3 per cent, from 10,700 to 11,300.
While the report acknowledges that the post-pandemic recovery has slowed, it concludes that the Church is gradually returning to its pre-pandemic trajectory, with some parishes even exceeding expectations.
“While nationally and in almost every diocese attendance was lower in 2024 than in 2018, across 16,000 Church of England churches there is wide variation,” the report notes. “Some churches have declined faster than average, some less so, and others have grown. Nevertheless, more churches became smaller between 2019 and 2024 than those that grew.”
The report highlights that approximately 12 per cent of churches saw higher Sunday and weekly attendance in 2024 compared with 2019, while around 48 per cent recorded lower figures.
Even so, the Church says there are positive signs, particularly in baptisms and community outreach. “The post-pandemic recovery has been encouraging,” the report continues. “There were more adult baptisms in 2024 than in 2019. People are continuing to come to faith and to find a welcome in Church of England churches.”
One example of local growth is St Michael and All Angels Church in Runcorn, which last year held its largest-ever baptism service, welcoming 17 new Christians and recording its highest number of confirmations in two decades.
Church leaders have expressed optimism about the ongoing renewal. The Bishop of Colchester, Roger Morris, praised local congregations for their creativity and commitment. “Our church communities have continued to work imaginatively and enthusiastically to recover after the pandemic,” he said. “We are seeing more people engaging with their local church, attending enquirers’ courses, seeking baptism and confirmation, and playing an active role in church life.”
He added that outreach to children and young people remains a “key priority” for the Church of England. “Every week I hear stories of people in North Essex who have found peace, meaning and purpose through their involvement in the church and in their deepening faith in God,” he said.
The Bishop of Aston, Esther Prior, also shared her encouragement, saying she has recently confirmed over 30 new believers, including ten from Hodge Hill. “It’s deeply moving to witness lives transformed by the hope of the gospel, clear signs that the Church is alive and growing,” she said.
Adapted from CT UK.
