The Church of England’s latest cathedral statistics show continued growth in 2024, with weekly attendance rising to 31,900, an increase of eleven per cent compared to 2023.
Cathedral statistics show continued growth in 2024
The rise was driven particularly by midweek services, which saw a 15 per cent increase in adult attendance and a 16 per cent increase in child attendance, although still lower than the pre-pandemic figure.
But visitor numbers surpassed pre-pandemic levels for the first time – reaching 9.87m in 2024. Cathedrals hosted 6,000 public and civic events, including 370 graduation ceremonies, with a total attendance of 1.74 million.
Anna Pitt, Executive Director of the Association of English Cathedrals, welcomed the latest report from the Church of England, and said, ‘Cathedrals stand at the heart of their communities and regions – places of faith and worship, welcome and service, wonder and education. By our welcoming and inclusive ethos, millions are drawn to our cathedrals every year.
‘We hope that by our rich and diverse programmes of the arts, learning, and heritage, all underpinned by our daily rhythm of prayer and service to our communities, we continue to provide practical and spiritual care, and to be beacons of hope in these challenging times.’
Easter services attracted 50,200 worshippers, a 12 per cent increase year-on-year, while Holy Week attendance reached 90,200. However, Christmas attendance dipped slightly to 121,100, down three per cent from 2023, and Advent services saw a similar decline.
Musical life in cathedrals flourished, with 2,120 choristers and lay clerks (adult professional singers), and 2,070 voluntary choir members meaning figures are now above pre-pandemic levels. The total number of cathedral choirs also reached a record high of 207.
Cathedrals also reported growth in baptisms (up 8 per cent) and maintained stable numbers in marriages and funerals. Educational engagement remained strong, with over 203,000 children and young people attending cathedral-led educational events.
The report highlights the enduring role of cathedrals in civic, cultural, and spiritual life, with nearly 13,000 volunteers supporting their work and 95 per cent of cathedrals continuing to offer Church at Home services.
The Dean of Canterbury, David Monteith, who chairs the Church of England’s College of Deans, said:
“This year’s statistics reflect a Church that is alive with possibility. We continue to see a significant revival in cathedral worship since the depths of the pandemic, with renewed energy in midweek services, music, and community engagement.
“Cathedrals continue to be places of welcome, joy, and reflection – where ancient rhythms meet contemporary needs. Whether through worship, education, or civic life, our cathedrals are helping people reconnect with faith, with one another, and with hope.
“I am deeply grateful to all who minister, volunteer, and serve in our cathedrals. Their imaginative dedication is helping to shape a Church that is resilient, responsive, and determinately rooted in the life of the nation.”
