The increase in attendance was also evidenced in the north of the Diocese. At All Saint's Church in Madeley, near Crewe, there was standing room only for the Christmas Eve Christingle Service.
The Revd Barry Wilson, Vicar of Madeley, reported that: "Every seat was filled and people were sitting or standing in every available space in the church - including the chancel which was also full." The Christmas Eve midnight Eucharist service attracted 176 adults - considerably higher than the church's average attendance in the 120's for the Christmas Eve Midnight service.
Numerous reasons are being given for the dramatic increase in attendance. In Telford, St George's church introduced a new choir of around 15 children from St Georges Church of England School who came weekly to choir practice from the end of November to learn traditional carols with organist David Fisher. They led the worship at the Christmas Eve Carol service which saw attendance rise to around 350.
The Revd Peter Lawley, Vicar of St George's, said: "The children performed admirably, and behaved perfectly, and brought parents and family members with them. After the service each child received a certificate from David Fisher."
The Christmas story is about a new born baby, so it was quite appropriate that nine-day-old Charlotte Elizabeth, daughter of organist Chris Harris and his wife Trish, was the youngest of 36 people attending the Christmas Eve Family Praise service at St Peter's Church in Priorslee.
The Ecumenical Parish of St Andrew's, West Bromwich sustained its recent Christmas season growth in attendance - supplementing it with a Carol Service in a local pub which attracted 20 worshipers; and an additional Christingle Service for members of the Toddler Group. The Christmas Eve Christingle Service attracted 75 people - a significant increase from last year's 55 people.
In Walsall, attendance at the Carol Service at St Catherine with St Chad's Church in Beechdale saw attendance increase from 45 to 78 - a rise of 73 per cent; and attendance at the Christmas Eve midnight service went up from 48 to 53.
And at St Mark's Church in Shelfield, in the north of Walsall, attendance at the crib service went from 26 last year to 33 this year; while the Midnight Mass went from 57 adults in 2005 to 78 this year.
The Revd Jenny Hill, Resident Minister at St Mark's, said: "Our Christmas Day attendance included a couple who live around the corner but who hadn't been in the church for 30 years. Overall, this is a remarkable attendance which we find very heartening. At the end of the services people didn't seem to want to go but stop and talk - to us and to each other - a sure sign they felt comfortable and welcomed and at home."
