The
Church of England today
The Church of England plays a vital role in
the life of the nation, proclaiming the Christian gospel in
works and action and providing services of Christian worship and
praise.
Its network of parishes cover the country,
bringing a vital Christian dimension to the nation as well as
strengthening community life in numerous urban, suburban and
rural settings. Its cathedrals are centres of spirituality and
service, and its network of chaplaincies across continental
Europe meet important local needs.
The Church of England plays an active role
in national life with its members involved in a wide range of
public bodies. Twenty-six bishops are members of the House of
Lords and are engaged in debates about legislation and national
and international affairs.
The Church of England is part of the
worldwide Anglican Communion.
Key facts about the Church of England:
The Church of England is part of the
worldwide Anglican Communion.
Key facts about the Church of England:
- More
than 1.7 million people take part in a Church of
England service each month.
- More
than 2.6 million participate in a Church of
England service on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve. (Across
all Christian denominations, nearly four in 10 people
take part in Christmas carol services.)
- The
Church of England conducts more than 440,000
‘rites of passage’ each year. This includes
more than 158,000 baptisms and thanksgivings,
around 60,000 marriages and blessings of civil
marriages, and some 224,000 funerals.
- Every
year, around 12.5 million people visit Church of
England cathedrals, including 300,000 pupils on
school visits. Three of England’s top five historic
‘visitor attractions’ are York Minister,
Canterbury Cathedral and Westminster Abbey.
- The
Church of England directly supports more than 4,700
schools. One in four primary schools and one in
16 secondary schools in England are Church of England
schools. Approaching one million pupils are
educated in Church of England schools.
- The
Church of England has more than 27,000 licensed
ministers – including more than 9,000 paid
clergy; more than 2,000 non-stipendiary ministers;
more than 10,000 Readers; around 5,000
active retired clergy; and 1,100 chaplains in
colleges, universities, hospitals, schools, prisons and
the armed forces.
- An
average of 510 men and women have been ordained
each year over the last three years.
- Forty-five
per cent of the country’s Grade I listed
buildings are maintained by the Church of England. These
churches and cathedrals are largely supported by the
efforts and financial support of local communities.
Often, they are the focus of community life and service.
- In
total, some 13,000 of the Church of England’s
16,000 buildings are listed by the government as
being of special architectural or historic interest.
- A 2003
survey showed that 86 per cent of the population
had visited a church building or place of worship in the
previous twelve months, for reasons ranging from
participating in worship to attending concerts or simply
wanting a quiet space. November 2004
November 2004