Churches mostly back – survey

Most evangelical churches in England and Wales will be worshipping in person by the start of April, according to an en survey.

Of 197 congregations in an online poll, 29% were planning to resume in March – but 39% had not stopped during the latest lockdown and had carried on meeting in their buildings throughout.

Another 18% of churches are expecting to resume in April. However, 5% of those responding said they currently had no time yet in mind to restart.

Andy Palmer of Christ Church Balham, which has continued to meet in person, said: ‘We had a newlywed couple come to faith over this past lockdown. I asked them how it was that they first joined us – ‘Because you are literally the only church we could find which was open!’ They would have thought to have gone to their local (liberal) parish church, but instead they found us, and through us they found Christ!’