News by email Donate

Suggestions

contactless-payment-main_article_image.jpg
Creative Commons
UK News

Cathedrals to trial contactless donation boxes

Bristol, Guildford (pictured below), Liverpool, St Paul's and St Edmundsbury are among twelve landmarks participating in the pilot scheme, due to start later this year.

Andy Beecroft

Rev David Potterton from Romsey Abbey, which is also taking part, told the Sunday Telegraph: "We hope that giving everyone, particularly people who aren't carrying cash anymore, the opportunity to donate will increase the abbey's visitor donations substantially."

The announcement comes after a report by UK Finance last week concluded that charities missed out on £160 million during the past twelve months because fewer people are carrying coins and notes.

Guildford Cathedral in Surrey said its 30,000 visitors annually offer donations of £10,000 per year - an average of 30p per person.

Creative Commons

Like most other cathedral, the landmark is free to enter but secure containers, dubbed 'honesty boxes', encourage guests to make a suggested donation.

Matt O'Grady from Guildford Cathedral told the Sunday Telegraph: "We definitely don't want to impose a fee; in our case, we think that would be a barrier to people coming here."

Tony Harrison/Flickr
The church at night

During the summer, contactless payment terminals were passed around with traditional collection plates at approximately 40 Church of England congregations, as part of a separate pilot scheme.

National stewardship officer at the Church of England, John Preston told the Financial Times at the time: "We're aware that younger generations - and there are many people now who don't carry cash - want to give in different ways".

"Enabling them to give in a way that suits them is something we'd like to try."

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate