Early estimates show that attendance at churches across the Diocese of Oxford has increased in the past 12 months, with the equivalent of 500 more people attending church each week. Smaller churches saw the greatest increases, while churches which offered new services to the community saw an average of 12 more people in church.
Overall, adult attendance increased by 1.6% between October 2023 and October 2024, with child attendance slightly lower at 1.2%. Compared to the last pre-pandemic figures we have, for October 2019, this increase represents 84% of the total then, the same as 2023. In 2023 and 2022 we saw higher increases in attendance when compared to the previous year, which suggests we have now reached the end of the post-pandemic recovery period.
Pre-pandemic, attendance figures were predicted to slow and our latest figures show current attendance is less than 1% below this projection which is cause for hopefulness. Especially when considering the number of children now attending our churches, which has exceeded projections by 17%.
The Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd Steven Croft, said: “It is clear the Church has come through a challenging few years in terms of rebuilding its congregations post-pandemic. I pay tribute to the clergy and laity in our parishes who have worked tirelessly to reach out into their communities to show them God’s welcome and love.
“I am particularly encouraged by the news that more children than predicted are coming to church with their parents. Ensuring young people, and families are heard and included in our church communities will be a focus for 2025 and beyond.”
More than 700 churches submitted their October attendance figures early to allow for this analysis to be conducted. While we are reporting an overall increase, in some archdeaconries the figures represent a slight decrease: Berkshire saw a 5.4% increase, Buckingham a 1.7% increase, Dorchester a 0.6% decrease and Oxford a 2.4% decrease.
The figures show a clear increase in attendance where churches are able to offer more services or where a children’s worker is brought in to focus on that area of ministry.