The Church of England has released its attendance statistics for 2024.
There is also an accompanying press release which is copied below.
Attendance at Church of England churches rises for the fourth year in a row
27/10/2025
Attendance at Church of England churches grew for the fourth year in a row last year, statistics have confirmed.
The overall number of regular worshippers across the Church of England’s congregations rose to 1.009 million in 2024, a rise of 0.6 per cent, according to the annual Statistics for Mission findings.
It was the second year in a row in which the Church of England’s “worshipping community” – the combined number of regular members of local congregations – has stood above a million since the Covid-19 pandemic.
All age average attendance on a Sunday also rose 1.5 per cent to 581,000 in 2024, extending rises over recent years.
And overall attendance across the week edged upwards by 1.6 cent in a year, and stood at just over 702,000 last year, according to the figures.
The increase was driven by a recovery in attendance by adults (over 16), among whom average Sunday attendance was up by 1.8 per cent and weekly attendance rose by 1.8 per cent.
The 2024 figures showed that adult baptisms rose to 8,700 in 2024 compared to 7,800 the previous year. There was also a rise in the number of young people, aged between 11 and 17 years old who were baptised, from 2,100 in 2023 to 2,400 last year. Confirmations also rose by 5.3 per cent from 10,700 to 11,300.However, the figures also showed the overall number of baptisms – which includes infant baptisms – fell, as the post Covid lockdown ‘catch up’ slowed.
While the overall figures show that in-person attendance has not fully reached pre-pandemic levels, the figures suggest it is moving closer to the projected pre-pandemic trend and in some cases has risen above the levels that might have been expected had there been no pandemic.
The Bishop of Colchester, Roger Morris, said: “Our church communities have continued to work imaginatively and enthusiastically in order to recover after the pandemic. Although not everywhere, nor to the same degree in each place, we are seeing more and more people engaging with their local church, attending enquirers’ courses, seeking baptism and confirmation and playing an active role in the church community.
“This report outlines some hugely positive signs of growth, particularly in the churches’ outreach to children and young people, a key priority for the Church of England.
“I am hearing stories every week of people in North Essex who have found peace, meaning and purpose through their involvement with the church and in their deepening faith in God.”
Adult and teenage baptisms rise by more than 1,000
The number of teenage and adult baptisms in the Church of England rose by more than 1,000 last year, the highest since the age categories were first recorded six years ago.
Adult baptisms – 18+ – rose to 8,700 in 2024 compared to 7,800 the previous year and there was also a rise in the number of young people, aged between 11 and 17 years old who were baptised, from 2,100 in 2023 to 2,400 last year.
Confirmations also rose by 5.3 per cent from 10,700 to 11,300 with some churches reporting the biggest baptism and confirmation services they have held in recent memory.
In Runcorn, St Michael and All Angels church has seen growth in attendance resulting in 17 baptisms and confirmations at one service. This was the biggest baptism service the church had ever held, and the most confirmations for 20 years.
Hodge Hill Church in Birmingham welcomed a record-high 19 candidates to confirmation in October, having baptised eight members of its community church on the Firs and Bromford estate in the sea at Holy Island, Northumbria in September.
The Bishop of Aston, Esther Prior, said: “It’s been a joy to see the remarkable ways God is at work among adults coming to faith across our churches.
“In the last couple of weeks I have confirmed over 30 new believers, including 10 from Hodge Hill.
“It’s deeply moving to witness lives transformed by the hope of the gospel, signs that the Church is alive and growing.”