In many English cities, cathedrals play a significant role

A latest report shows that the Church of England’s cathedrals are its hottest places of worship. They are also vital centres of community, arts and music and are major tourist attractions of their cities.

But the newest research shows that most of the historic buildings are facing major financial challenges and having to seek out latest ways of generating income.

Religion think-tank Theos this week published an in depth report the role of cathedrals in modern England. The report, ‘Living Stones: English Cathedrals as Sacred Spaces in Changing Times,’ revealed that greater than three-quarters (77 per cent) of adults in England had visited a cathedral a minimum of once up to now three years.

The research showed: “Cathedrals reach beyond regular churchgoers. A majority of those with no religious affiliation have visited a cathedral within the last three years, and lots of enjoy worship, music, prayer or stillness while doing so.”

Other research confirms that cathedrals have significant economic advantages, generating around £235 million of additional expenditure of their local communities a yr, creating greater than 6,000 jobs and mobilising 13,000 volunteers.

Yet the Theos research also points out that 4 out of 5 of the cathedrals operate “in structural deficit” with no guaranteed national funding for his or her core functions.

In recent years, cathedrals have attracted criticism for activities geared toward drawing latest visitors into their buildings. Last autumn, JD Vance criticised an art installation at Canterbury Cathedral, saying that the graffiti-style artworks had made “a ravishing historical constructing really ugly.” 

Other cathedrals have prompted complaints after installing a brief fairground ‘helter-skelter’ contained in the constructing or hosting silent discos. In St Albans, considered one of the cathedrals studied for the research, a large-scale painting of the Last Supper depicting Jesus as a black man, sparked debate.

Research from the Bible Society has shown that considered one of the highest three places for individuals with no religion, or non-practising Christians to come across the Bible was while sightseeing in a cathedral or church.

This underlined the importance of cathedrals and churches making available good printed material and displays explaining the Christian gospel. Many cathedrals feature information explaining the religion, and their stained glass and other art works can assist introduce visitors to Bible stories and themes. 

But considered one of the Theos report’s most important findings highlights the growing gap “between the dimensions of public profit cathedrals provide and the extent of recognition, understanding and support they receive.”

The report concludes that, to survive and thrive, cathedrals need sustainable investment from funders that recognise the cathedrals’ public advantages in wellbeing, education, heritage skills, music and community cohesion.

They also need support from national and native government, with strategic partnerships and recognition “catching up with the dimensions of their public impact.”

The report also calls for journalists and commentators to provide “more accurate, contextualised coverage of what cathedrals do and who they serve,” as an alternative of giving disproportionate coverage during “moments of controversy.”

It also encourages visitors and area people members to value their cathedrals, and consider joining a ‘friends’ scheme or making a daily donation.

In St Albans, town where I minister, the cathedral plays a significant role. In addition to being a centre of worship, seven days every week, it also has a thriving congregation and hosts a big selection of community events. Its education department organises visits for college children and young people, in addition to organising lectures and courses for adults. 

The cathedral attracts many visitors to town and helps increase income for local shops, restaurants and hotels. It’s not possible to assume St Albans without its cathedral.

The Theos research, conducted in partnership with the Association of English Cathedrals and supported by the Church Commissioners of the CofE, brought together a specially-commissioned YouGov poll of greater than 1,800 adults in England, a survey of greater than 1,300 cathedral visitors and 150 in-depth interviews across six cathedrals: St Albans, Carlisle, Derby, Exeter, Rochester and York.

Rev Peter Crumpler is a Church of England minister in St Albans, Herts, UK, and a former communications director with the CofE.