EARLY estimates indicate 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 offering new services to the community, or where a children’s worker is brought in, saw an average of 12 more people in church.
Within the diocese, the greatest growth in the last 12 months was seen in Berkshire, which saw a 5.4% increase in attendance, compared to Buckinghamshire (up 1.7%), Dorchester (down 0.6%) and Oxford (down 2.4%).
More than 700 churches submitted their October attendance figures, revealing that adult attendance increased overall by 1.6% between October 2023 and October 2024, with child attendance growth slightly lower at 1.2%.
The increase represents 84% of the total in 2019, prior to the pandemic, and it is suggested that we may now be at the end of a post-pandemic recovery period.
Before the pandemic, attendance figures were predicted to slow and latest figures show current attendance is less than 1% below this projection.
The number of children now attending churches 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.”
For more information, visit: oxford.anglican.org
