The Church of England has recorded its fourth consecutive year of growth in attendance, according to early figures from its latest Statistics for Mission report.
The number of regular worshippers rose to 1.02 million in 2024 – a 1.2 per cent increase from the previous year. Sunday attendance also climbed by 1.5 per cent to 582,000, continuing a steady post-pandemic recovery. Weekly in-person attendance across the week reached just over 701,000.
“The Church of England exists to share the good news of Jesus Christ and to love and serve our neighbours in every community in England,” the Archbishop of York, Most Rev Stephen Cottrell said. “So it is encouraging to see further signs that more people are coming to faith in Jesus Christ and having their lives changed.”
The rise was led by a return of adult worshippers, with Sunday attendance for over-16s up by 1.8 per cent. Although figures have not yet returned to pre-Covid levels, the church said trends are moving in a positive direction.
AChurchNearYou.com, the Church’s online tool for finding local congregations, also saw a sharp rise in use, with page visits up 55 per cent to nearly 200 million.
Debbie Clinton, Director for Vision and Strategy, said the growth reflects “exciting stories” across diverse parishes, from coastal towns to city estates. “Each represents an individual who is part of a local church, serving their community across the country,” she added.
At St John’s Upper Norwood in south London, church attendance has surged through outreach to families. Events like ‘Messy Church’ and a Friday toddler group now attract hundreds, with over 2,000 people attending an Easter barbecue.
“We were a church in decline but we are not in decline any more,” Fr John Pritchard said. “People are looking for a community and to feel valued, and the Gospel gives them this.”
Further investment through national grants has supported staffing and youth initiatives at St John’s, with plans to grow the music ministry among children and families.
The full Statistics for Mission report is expected later this year.