December 2005 - O Come All Ye Faithful: Church is a Big Draw at Christmas
A recent survey conducted by ORB found that more than four out of ten adults will attend church this Christmas – up by a third in the past four years.
Christmas worshippers are on the increase with more than 43 per cent of Britain’s adult population expected to attend church over the festival, according to a survey by opinion pollster ORB. The figure has been steadily rising since the turn of the millennium from the 33 per cent found by ORB in 2001, to 39 per cent in 2003 and now 43 per cent in 2005.
The Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Revd Nigel McCulloch, said: “It is a privilege to offer a warm welcome to people who come and enjoy church at Christmastime. These figures indicate two things. First, that the busy-ness of the season hasn’t crowded out the hunger for the Christmas message. And second, that Christmas gives us a great opportunity to connect with the wider community all year round.”
“Christmas brings good news to our local communities,” said the Rev Lynda Barley, Head of Research and Statistics for the Archbishops’ Council. “ It reminds people of all ages and backgrounds of their spiritual roots. The tradition of Christmas brings neighbourhoods together and this survey shows that one of our best kept secrets is being rediscovered for modern day Britain.”
The poll also found major support for Church of England schools. Seven out of 10 agreed that Church of England schools have a positive role in educating the nation’s children. Among people of no religious persuasion and those of non-Christian faiths the level dropped but was still more than half (52 per cent) and six in 10 (61 per cent) respectively.
The survey shows that churches attract people of all ages and across all areas of the country at Christmas, with the highest attendance levels in city areas (46 per cent), suburban (46 per cent) and rural (49 per cent). Lowest attendance levels are among 18 to 24 year olds (28 per cent) and those who live in seaside towns (25 per cent). In London, almost half the adults, 48 per cent, will attend church at Christmas and, across the country, 22 per cent of adults of non-Christian faiths will attend.
Half the adults in Britain affiliate to the Church of England or another Anglican church, the survey found, while seven in 10 are Christian. Both levels have been static since 2001 and replicate the national census results. ORB also found that 22 per cent of adults attend religious services once a month or more and that 86 per cent of adults had been in a church or other place of worship in the last year, similar to levels recorded in 2003 and 2001. Among Christians this figure was 91 per cent, among those of no religious persuasion it was 75 per cent and among those from non-Christian religions it was 73 per cent.
“These figures show that churches and church schools bring valued aspects of community life to local neighbourhoods,” said the Rev Lynda Barley. “Seven in every 10 adults support Church of England schools and nigh on nine out of every 10 have been in a church or other place of worship in the last year. High levels of support for local churches and chapels are maintained among people of all religious affiliations and of none. With 43 per cent of adults in church at Christmas, that probably translates into approaching 25 million people of all ages.”
ORB surveyed 1019 adults aged 18 and over by a random telephone poll between November 4 and 6, 2005.
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For further information please contact Johnny Heald on 0207 611 5275 or email jheald@opinion.co.uk.
Click the link below to see the full results of the survey:
Church survey results.pdf
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