Churches throughout the Diocese of Lichfield have reported higher than usual attendances at services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Over the past five years attendances have been rising steadily across the Church of England and Lichfield Diocese has been part of this trend.
While full official figures will not be out for 12 months (the Church of England works on a 12-month collection cycle) anecdotal evidence and reports from throughout Staffordshire, the northern half of Shropshire and the north-western part of the Black Country suggests that more people than ever went to church over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The growth isn't restricted to any particular type of congregation and is being reported by churches of all styles of churchmanship from Anglo-Catholic to Evangelical across both rural and urban locations. The reported increases in Christmas Day attendance is even more encouraging because in 2005 Christmas Day fell on a Sunday, which traditionally sees attendances increase slightly.
Speaking before Christmas, the Bishop of Lichfield, the Rt Revd Jonathan Gledhill, urged worshippers to "turn up early to be sure of a good seat," adding: "The cathedral and many other of the 600 churches in the Lichfield Diocese have already been packed out for Advent Carol Services. Most people know that Christmas isn't really Christmas without worshipping the Christ child and will be making their way to one of the many different kinds of Christmas Carol Services to receive the best present of all, to pray for his peace in the world, and to join in the joy of Christmas."
Lichfield Cathedral saw significant attendance increases in all its Christmas services - with the Christmas Eve early evening services increasing from 1,000 to 1,100; and Midnight Mass more than doubling from 629 to 1,300. The Christmas Day services saw a 38 per cent increase to 700 people. Lichfield Cathedral holds its main Christmas Carol Service on Boxing Day and this year's attendance was up by 100 to 1,300.
The increase in attendance isn't restricted to the Cathedral and is replicated in parish churches throughout the diocese.
Leading the way was the Beckbury group of six rural parishes in Shropshire where 35 per cent of the total population of the parish turned up to worship on Christmas Day. The total attendance of 350 (out of a total population of just under 1,000) was an increase of 36% from the 2005 figures.
The Revd David Chantrey, Rector of the Six Parishes, said: "This is excellent news. Over a third of the population attended church here on Christmas Day this year. And the increase does not seem to be a flash in the pan. This is the largest attendance this decade, and since 2001 there has been a 54% increase in attendance at Christmas.
"I don't know why this increase has happened, but I am grateful to God for sending so many people to worship him at this special time of year. I am also grateful to all those in these Six Parishes who work with me in doing God's work here. It really has been a very happy Christmas this year."
The increase isn't restricted to rural parishes - at St Mary's Church in Bilston 70 people attended the Christmas Eve Midnight Communion service - more than doubling the 2005 attendance of 33.
The Revd Beth Leach, Team Vicar of St Mary's, said: "The Christmas Tree Festival definitely acted as an attraction for people and we had many comments about how much people had enjoyed coming. Many of the people at the Midnight service were new to St Mary's"
