Statistics for Church of England cathedrals show continued growth in 2024
[Church of England] The Church of England’s latest cathedral statistics show continued growth in 2024, with weekly attendance rising to 31,900, an increase 11% compared to 2023. The rise was driven particularly by midweek services, which saw a 15% increase in adult attendance and a 16% increase in child attendance, although still lower than the pre-pandemic figure.
Easter services attracted 50,200 worshippers, a 12% increase year-on-year, while Holy Week attendance reached 90,200. However, Christmas attendance dipped slightly to 121,100, down 3% from 2023, and Advent services saw a similar decline.
Visitor numbers continued to climb, reaching 9.87 million in 2024 — surpassing pre-pandemic levels for the first time. Cathedrals also hosted 6,000 public and civic events, including 370 graduation ceremonies, with a total attendance of 1.74 million.
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.
athedrals 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.
Canterbury Cathedral Dean 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.”
