By Rob Harris
London: In the pews of Britain’s churches, a quiet revolution is taking place. Over the past six years, a shift has occurred among younger generations that could see Catholicism overtake Anglicanism as the nation’s dominant Christian denomination for the first time since the Reformation.
A report from the Bible Society, The Quiet Revival, revealed a startling trend among churchgoers aged 18 to 34: Catholics now outnumber Anglicans by more than two to one. This shift is part of a broader story where younger Brits, particularly men, are increasingly flocking to Catholic and Pentecostal services, leaving Anglicanism trailing behind.
People arrive for Catholic Mass at Westminster Cathedral in London.Credit: Alamy Stock Photo
It is particularly marked among Generation Z (anyone born since 1997) and younger Millennials (those born in the mid to late 1990s), and signals that Catholicism could soon surpass Anglicanism to become Britain’s largest Christian denomination for the first time since King Henry VIII initiated the English Reformation in 1527.
In a country where secularisation has steadily eroded religious affiliation, the findings show that while fewer Britons identify as Christian, the number of people attending church has been steadily rising. The report’s authors suggest this “quiet revival” is especially evident among young people, with Catholics and Pentecostals noting the most significant growth in church attendance, while Anglicans struggle to keep pace.
“With the normalisation of Christianity in culture, and the confidence and comfort of Christian friends to share their own faith experience, a large number of young adults now appear to be looking towards the church as a space for finding healing and community as well as a deeper sense of meaning in their life,” said Dr Rhiannon McAleer, director of research at the Bible Society.
Portrait of Henry VIII, painted during the king’s lifetime by an artist from the ‘house’ of Hans Holbein. Catholicism could soon surpass Anglicanism to become Britain’s largest Christian denomination for the first time since King Henry VIII.
The Bible Society research, based on YouGov surveys of more than 32,000 people in 2024 and 2018, shows a dramatic shift in church demographics. Among churchgoers aged 18 to 34, Catholics now comprise 41 per cent, up from 22 per cent in 2018, while Anglicans have slipped to 20 per cent, down from 30 per cent.
Pentecostals are also gaining ground, increasing to 18 per cent of this group, while the proportion of Anglican churchgoers in the same age bracket has halved.
Professor Stephen Bullivant of St Mary’s University in London told The Times that Catholicism was doing “least worst” out of the major Christian churches as it “benefits from a steady stream of churchgoing immigrants to a much greater degree”.
Its growth, across all age groups, can be largely attributed to the influx of churchgoing immigrants, especially from Eastern Europe and Africa, who have revitalised many parish communities.
However, this demographic shift also reflects a broader cultural and spiritual trend: that young people, particularly those from ethnic minority backgrounds, are increasingly seeking a more immersive and dynamic religious experience. For many, this has meant turning to Pentecostal and Catholic churches, which are often seen as more vibrant and community-oriented compared with the more traditional and formal Anglican services.
In 2018, 4 per cent of 18- to 24-year-olds reported attending church at least once a month. By 2024, that figure had quadrupled to 16 per cent, with young men showing the highest levels of engagement. They are more likely to attend church regularly than any generation ahead of them, bar the over 65s, the report found.
The Anglican Liverpool Cathedral (left) and the Roman Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King (right) in Liverpool, England. Credit: Getty Images
While this shift is seen most notably among the under 35s, it’s also reshaping the churchgoing landscape across all age groups. In 2018, Anglicans comprised 41 per cent of all regular churchgoers, compared with 23 per cent for Catholics. By 2024, the Anglican share had fallen to 34 per cent, with Catholics at 31 per cent, inching closer to surpassing them entirely. Pentecostals, meanwhile, have increased their share from 4 to 10 per cent, reflecting a broader trend towards charismatic worship that appeals to younger generations.
Catholic churches in particular have noted a marked recovery in attendance post-pandemic. Figures for Sunday Mass attendance in England and Wales show a rise from 390,000 in 2021 to 555,000 in 2023, though still down from pre-pandemic levels of 702,000 in 2019.
As Anglicans continue to lose ground, the Church of England faces an uncertain future. While still the largest Christian denomination in Britain overall, its influence among the younger demographic appears to be waning. In particular, the report found the church was struggling to maintain relevance in a rapidly changing society, where many young people are choosing faith experiences that feel more relevant, communal and engaging.
Despite this, the overall trend across all denominations paints a picture of a nation in spiritual flux. According to the 2021 census, Christians now make up less than half of the British population for the first time, slipping to 46.2 per cent, with many turning to secular or non-religious identities.
Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on what’s making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.