Collectively, churches in the UK are making more than £20,000 from renting empty car parking spaces. 

At a time when churches are struggling for money due to church halls not being hired and people not be able to give physically, renting their outside space to those who don't want to use public transport appears to have worked for everyone. 

The company 'Your Parking Space' says the average church listed on their website makes about £200 a month and that more than 100 churches in the UK are available for pre-booked slots. 

Father Felix Smith, a priest in Lancing recommended the same thing last month, writing on social media that he has raised £70 for his church this year by renting his parking space via the site Just Park. 

One church reported that it has given them an additional feeling of security as well, with more people walking around the church and therefore deterring crime. Crimes such as lead theft are common for churches, and there are increasing examples of historic churches being used for growing cannabis. 

A parking space at St Wilfried's church in Harrogate, five minutes from the town centre, costs £1.19 an hour if booked the day before. 
Their facilities and commercial manager, Rebecca Oliver, said: "The parking income helps to support the running costs of the church, which as a Grade I listed building are significant."

Harrison Woods, managing director at YourParkingSpace.co.uk, said: "Churches offering their empty parking spaces makes perfect financial sense, you could almost describe it as 'pray and display…visitors could also be tempted to have a look around the church if it is allowed."