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The Church of England plays a vital role in the life of the nation, proclaiming the Christian gospel in words and actions 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:
- 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
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