Clergy at Winchester Cathedral are “rejoicing” after an increase in the number of people attending services over Holy Week and Easter.
Overall, there was a 13 per cent increase in the number of people coming to worship across Good Friday to Easter Day compared with 2024.
Some 31 per cent more people went to the cathedral’s Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday, and the Diocesan Chrism saw a huge 69 per cent rise in numbers. On Good Friday, there was an increase of four per cent in the number of people attending the Three Hours service.
The Interim Dean of Winchester Cathedral, Rev Canon Dr Roland Riem, said: “We rejoice that so many wished to engage with the Cathedral’s worship over Lent and Holy Week, whether in person or online.”
Winchester Cathedral’s Canon Missioner, Rev Canon Dr Tess Kuin Lawton, told Premier:
“There has been this sense of a gradual increase in interest, not just quiet interest, but people actually being interested in turning up. And of course, the fact that we had the Easter weekend, and so many of the events that go on over Easter gave people an opportunity to come to church as well.”
She added that while this year’s numbers were up by 13 per cent, they are also increasing year on year: “Even last year they were significantly up in terms of pre-Covid statistics. So when we go back to 2018 and 2019, the growth is tremendous. It's fantastic news.”
Winchester's experience is similar to other churches across the country that are also enjoying a resurgence in the number of people coming to worship. Canon Kuin Lawton said she believes many people are coming to church because they’re looking for a spiritual community:
“One of the things that the church does well is that it invites people into a ready-made community, something that the younger generation are calling the third space.
“It can offer a place of community, the chance to get to know people across the generations.
“The other thing that church has always offered is pastoral care and kindness and a safe place where you can come and talk to people.”
The increase in attendance has come despite less advertising this year because of a technical glitch:
“We were not advertising as much as we have done previously. So we can give the glory to God on this one.”