Another good selection of music, but O! what a disappointing attendance.
AIUI many churches are struggling to reach their pre-Covid numbers again - I suspect that some, in urban and rural areas, will soon be forced to close.
Philip Larkin's poem *Church Going* comes to mind:
AIUI many churches are struggling to reach their pre-Covid numbers again.
We did quite well until last summer - indeed we temporarily picked up some folk from churches that hadn't yet reopened.
However numbers have been a bit down this autumn, basically I think because all the pther opportunities offered by Sundays are now possible once more, whether it be golf, cycling, junior football, visits to granny, marathons, weekends away ...
AIUI many churches are struggling to reach their pre-Covid numbers again.
We did quite well until last summer - indeed we temporarily picked up some folk from churches that hadn't yet reopened.
However numbers have been a bit down this autumn, basically I think because all the pther opportunities offered by Sundays are now possible once more, whether it be golf, cycling, junior football, visits to granny, marathons, weekends away ...
Much the same at Our Place, though numbers have been low all summer, and our neighbouring churches report a similar situation.
Our numbers are down too. They plunged when we had an incomprehensible Indian priest for a few weeks. Now we have the regular chap back people may return.
Maybe, but I know of one church (in a town centre parish!) where numbers at the Sunday Eucharist are now so low (single figures) that the priest who is looking after them (their own priest has just, sadly, died, at a relatively young age) is not afraid to do away with at least one or two of the four scheduled hymns...
AIUI, they sing an Offertory hymn, whilst he prepares the altar, and a final hymn after Communion, whilst he clears up.
Certainly there are some folk in our church who haven't returned. I know that in some cases this is linked to personal circumstances largely unconnected with Covid, and another "nervy" person became extremely agoraphobic during Covid and ventures out rarely.
But there are others who either lost faith suring Covid or simply got out of the churchgoing habit. They may be others who are following other church services online (we don't do ours) although I don't actually think this is the case.
It's the same at Our Place, including at least one person I know of who doesn't venture out but he and his wife watch the live-streaming every Sunday. I think others have got out of the habit, or an engaging online elsewhere. I know we often have other plans on a Sunday now.
When I went last Sunday, it was the fullest I've seen it since before Covid and others said the same. Back in the day we used to have two morning services to accommodate everyone. I really hope we don't go back to that as it makes for such a hard, long morning for those involved in facilitating.
Yes, we have certain folk who have not returned, mostly owing to Old Age and Infirmity (I'm one of them), but the transient nature of the population of Our Place's parish - the average stay in rented accommodation is six months - means that people come and go quite rapidly. We really don't have that oft-found *hard core* of elderly, but active, people who form the backbone of many a congregation.
We do have a number of younger families nowadays, who attend, either in whole or in part, as they can, but the various other Sunday options mentioned a while back by @Baptist Trainfan take their toll.
Compared to some Places, we are quite well-off - we have an energetic and enthusiastic FatherInCharge, the £££ are looked after by a very able and competent Treasurer, and there are usually a few Small People, teenagers and/or students in church on a Sunday morning. It would be good to have more of each age group, though!
The congregation attitudes towards masking also makes a difference. When I've attempted church recently, I've been questioned as to why I'm still masking while visiting a largely-elderly congregation...
You'd think they'd know the answer to that by now...
I know Our Place still recommends masks (though not many wear them, as far as I can tell from livestreamed services), but hand-sanitisers are still available, and Communion is still administered in one kind only. The Peace is exchanged without any huggy-kissy-touchy-feely Stuff, except among families.
Being Heretickal Nonconformists, we rarely have the Peace (we've occasional done a Peaceful Wave in these times).
The only change we made to Communion was to use pre-cut bread cubes in wee cuppies instead of having them on plates (for passing round) together with a larger piece of loaf (from which pieces can be pulled off if preferred).
We're few enough in a large, draughty building that masks are non-essential, though some visitors wear them and I don't think it's warranted so much as a second glance.
Apart from one occasional visitor, we haven't worn masks for ages. Hoewever we have had doors and windows open (gradually lessening as autumn draws on!)
Our Place is certainly large enough for the Faithful Few to maintain effective social distancing!
There aren't that many opening windows, but they have been left open since the Plague began. I guess that, as winter drawers on, and if it gets cold, they may be closed again.
Quite how heating (or the lack of it) will affect attendance, especially if we do get a cold snap, remains to be seen.
There are plans afoot to provide a *Warm Space* on winter Sunday afternoons, but in our local Community Centre, rather than in our church and/or hall - the Centre has much better facilities! It will be a joint venture between Church and Centre (which is run by a charitable Trust, not the local authority), but there will be NO proselytising...
There aren't that many opening windows, but they have been left open since the Plague began. I guess that, as winter drawers on, and if it gets cold, they may be closed again.
As winter draws on, winter drawers are put on.
St Sanity had taken a very substantial drop in numbers pre-covid. A new rector was, alas, much more in the Sydney style than those who had preceded him (Sydney does not allow women rectors!!!) and many left. That makes it difficult to estimate the direct effect of covid. During the period of strictest covid restrictions, services were offered online only. The early service is now entirely in person, and the numbers attending are below half those attending pre-covid. The main service each Sunday continues to be available online as well as in person and there are quite a few who prefer that attendance. Our impression is that the total attending that service by either method is about half those pre-covid.
Our congregation is seeing a substantial increase in young families. I think it is because we have a young woman who is constantly reaching out to her peers. It seems some of our more vulnerable people may be staying away. Given my health conditions, I should be one of them, but I just recently got my fourth boaster, my annual flu shot, and a new pneumococcal shot. I am doing all I can to keep protected.
It will be a joint venture between Church and Centre (which is run by a charitable Trust, not the local authority), but there will be NO proselytising...
It will be a joint venture between Church and Centre (which is run by a charitable Trust, not the local authority), but there will be NO proselytising...
I should hope not!
Indeed, but it will be advertised (AIUI) as a joint venture between the Church and the Community Centre (secular) Trust. We are hoping that, once the details are all ironed out as far as they can be, the nearby Ahmadiyya Mosque (*Love for all - Hatred for none*) may want to join in, even if only with 1 or 2 volunteers...
The congregation attitudes towards masking also makes a difference. When I've attempted church recently, I've been questioned as to why I'm still masking while visiting a largely-elderly congregation...
Most people at our place don't mask any more, although a few do, and nobody questions it - in a congregation that largely doesn't mask, the mask is more useful as an indicator that that person is still wanting to maintain personal space, rather than as an active defense against Covid.
I've stopped masking, although if I got a hint that anyone was being given a hard time for wearing a mask, my mask would be going straight back on.
Our numbers are still down quite a bit - I'd say the majority of the older people have come back, but a lot of the families with children are missing. I think they were the group that found other things to do on a Sunday morning, and for whom Zoom church really didn't work. So we have new habits to fight...
None known to me personally. However I do know that 44 URC churches closed between General Assembly 2021 and 2022. This wasn't necessarily due to Covid, however here are some comments, exerpted from the Assembly Record. It's clear that Covid pushed some churches, already weak, "over the edge".
The church has struggled in the past few years, mainly in terms of numbers of membership, and the pandemic has placed a heavy burden on the dwindling congregation, which has led to the decision to close.
The congregation reduced to eleven members and, due to the events of Covid-19, plus deteriorating health issues of some of the members, it was decided to close the church with effect from 30 September, to coincide with the retirement of their minister.
In 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the church held services by phone and a weekly service sheet was distributed by the minister. The decision was made to close the church in September 2021.
When Covid-19 lockdown closed the buildings, those elders found it difficult to maintain and reopen them. The congregation decided to close the church in February 2022.
Covid-19 placed an additional strain on the fellowship, who had no minister. The decision was made to close on 27 January 2022.
How many congregations do people know about that have had to close, move, or merge because of the effect of Covid on their finances and attendance?
I, too, don't personally know of any, but the Church of England (which is the denomination I know best) does not find it easy to close, or to dispose of, a church which is no longer viable. There is so much legal Stuff, which is complex, lengthy, and costly.
OTOH, one does hear or read of rural benefices, made up of a number of parishes and churches, where regular worship is no longer offered in at least one or two of the buildings. How (and by whom) such buildings are to be maintained in the future - with exponential cost increases affecting heating, repairs etc. - is bound to become more and more of a problem as times goes by.
FWIW I don't habitually wear a mask unless I'm in a medical setting, but since singing increases the risk it seemed wise to wear a mask for church. Although I am at increased risk it's to protect others as much as anyone else. People were also sitting closely together on chairs, and it was before I was getting my covid/flu combo jab. It is harder for me to isolate myself where I live so I have to be more cautious.
Is it possible at your church @Pomona to maintain a sensible social distance, if you so wish? This is where great barns with small congregations have a bit of an edge over small, crowded churches!
How many congregations do people know about that have had to close, move, or merge because of the effect of Covid on their finances and attendance?
Lots, is the short answer. But then Covid has been the final gust of wind that blew the Kirk over the edge of the cliff and they're frantically trying to stitch a parachute on the way down. Dozens, possibly hundreds, of buildings will close over the next 5 years, and in some areas the number of minister posts will halve.
I know of one nearby RC parish that closed during Covid. And falling numbers and aging profile is behind a root and branch restructuring of parishes in the RC Portsmouth diocese. Not sure if Covid is the direct cause.
My impression is that Covid is merely accelerating a process which has been under way for some considerable time.
It doesn't just affect churches. Other social activities that particularly appeal to now elderly generations are struggling. My G&S society has just hit the buffers for example. Expect more of the same.
A number of BUGB Churches have closed over the past year but reasons are undisclosed. Anecdotally churches I know (of all denominations but predominantly evangelicals) have seen a decline in numbers and drop in volunteering. Across the UK many larger churches report 25 to 30% down in face to face chats but, I suspect, not to their denominations. This started pre Covid as the Evangelical movement in the UK has hit the buffers. Even resource churches are net zero as one moves into them, emptying other nearby churches.
Many admit to struggling with finance, numbers, people to do things. Lots of people go less often than before. Sadly I think that Justin's edict to close churches - whether he was leaned or not - boomeranged across us all and people simply opted out as the church seemed to close its doors to need as well as to worship. Sorry to feel that way but there it is.
Some have realised that church wasn't/isn't for them. Others have found new ways of occupying Sunday mornings.
My last church dropped a lot then regained a lot but not to quite the same level. Lots of new people, mainly families, many not from UK backgrounds.
Two of the five churches in our village have not re-opened since the pandemic, one Methodist, one Brethren. They were both small with aging congregations.
Our Anglican church has lost some people, particularly families, but live-streaming our main morning service has meant that some people who were previously unable to join us have been able to follow us that way.
My impression is that Covid is merely accelerating a process which has been under way for some considerable time.
It doesn't just affect churches. Other social activities that particularly appeal to now elderly generations are struggling. My G&S society has just hit the buffers for example. Expect more of the same.
Yes, this is now becoming evident in Our Town, sadly.
A number of BUGB Churches have closed over the past year but reasons are undisclosed. Anecdotally churches I know (of all denominations but predominantly evangelicals) have seen a decline in numbers and drop in volunteering. Across the UK many larger churches report 25 to 30% down in face to face chats but, I suspect, not to their denominations. This started pre Covid as the Evangelical movement in the UK has hit the buffers. Even resource churches are net zero as one moves into them, emptying other nearby churches.
Many admit to struggling with finance, numbers, people to do things. Lots of people go less often than before. Sadly I think that Justin's edict to close churches - whether he was leaned or not - boomeranged across us all and people simply opted out as the church seemed to close its doors to need as well as to worship. Sorry to feel that way but there it is.
Some have realised that church wasn't/isn't for them. Others have found new ways of occupying Sunday mornings.
My last church dropped a lot then regained a lot but not to quite the same level. Lots of new people, mainly families, many not from UK backgrounds.
FatherInCharge absolutely hated having to close the doors of the church for a time, and very quickly arranged for times when the building could be open for private prayer, followed by re-opening for said services, and so on. All this was done in accordance with the guidance laid down by the C of E authorities, and the government. However, numbers have still declined, and volunteers for various activities are lacking...
Is it possible at your church @Pomona to maintain a sensible social distance, if you so wish? This is where great barns with small congregations have a bit of an edge over small, crowded churches!
I don't have a regular church, this was a new one I was visiting to try out - and even if I went back (which I wouldn't, for other reasons) it's one where the congregational space is short and wide iyswim due to building shape constraints.
Is it possible at your church @Pomona to maintain a sensible social distance, if you so wish? This is where great barns with small congregations have a bit of an edge over small, crowded churches!
I don't have a regular church, this was a new one I was visiting to try out - and even if I went back (which I wouldn't, for other reasons) it's one where the congregational space is short and wide iyswim due to building shape constraints.
We closed when we had to for the first lockdown and re-opened at the start of August. Since then we've been open continuously except for the three-week Wales "firebreak" in November 2020 and a six-week period in early 2021 (at my insistence). Of course our building is generally only open for services, unlike CofE and RC ones.
My impression is that Covid is merely accelerating a process which has been under way for some considerable time.
I think so too. During the pandemic my own CofE place didn't do live-streaming so I tried another CofE church that did -and I have to say it was a poor experience.
So many issues re declining church attendance but here's one notion I wonder what you think of: Does church have to be every week? (Obviously I know the standard teaching on this) Why not make a bigger effort for an occasional service that has been really well prepared?(let the reader understand...).
Hmm. There does seem to be some kind of Biblical imperative for meeting on the first day of the week (SDAs excepted!)
Problems if you meet infrequently is that the sense of cohesion and continuity may be lost, also there will inevitablty be some folk who genuinely can't be there, thus leaving a long gap between attendances.
Of course quite a number of rural CofE churches don't have a service every week, though the timetable can be confusing for outsiders: "If it's Lent (but not the fifth Sunday nor the waxing phase of the moon nor ther Rector's birthday) then St Agatha's will hold a service at 10 am".
Hmm. I take your point, but there's no guarantee that any special occasional service will be better attended than the *usual* offering, IME, at least.
If you have (as Our Place does) a main service every Sunday morning, it at least gives everyone a chance to attend, even if they can only manage once a month (or even less frequently).
IOW, we have a base of some 50-60 people (including children) who can be regarded as *regulars* in the sense that they will attend as and when they can. We blow trumpets, and hang out flags, if the Sunday morning total reaches 50% of that base...
The daily Masses are often attended only by 2 or 3 (plus Father), but do have their own *regulars* who can't come at all on Sundays.
Hmm. I take your point, but there's no guarantee that any special occasional service will be better attended than the *usual* offering, IME, at least.
If you have (as Our Place does) a main service every Sunday morning, it at least gives everyone a chance to attend, even if they can only manage once a month (or even less frequently).
IOW, we have a base of some 50-60 people (including children) who can be regarded as *regulars* in the sense that they will attend as and when they can. We blow trumpets, and hang out flags, if the Sunday morning total reaches 50% of that base...
The daily Masses are often attended only by 2 or 3 (plus Father), but do have their own *regulars* who can't come at all on Sundays.
Sounds very much like our place. Few people except the really keen are going to consult a calendar to find out when the 'occasional' service is scheduled. People expect something will be happening every Sunday at 10.30 and come when they can (or feel inclined). We also get the occasional chance visitor who just happens to be passing, or maybe expects that a big building that looks like a church will have something going on at more or less that time.
Daily mass on the other hand is harder and harder to find, especially post-Covid. Shortage of priests and the emphasis on 'mission'* is another cause, sadly.
*often used to imply that worship is not central to mission. As if.
We are exceptionally fortunate (blessed, even!) to have a non-stipendiary/self-supporting priest who is willing to celebrate a daily Mass - even on what is otherwise his sacrosanct day off (he holds an 8am service on that day, and rushes off to the railway station immediately afterwards...).
When he came to us, we asked if we could have at least one weekday Mass, and were quite astonished when he said Mass would be daily.
There is another Anglo-Catholic Place a few miles away, and they, too, still manage to have a daily celebration. Otherwise, our three local MOTR Places have just the one weekday service each.
The pandemic changed habits and attitudes, and caused a wind-down in activity for some people which will take time to reverse, if it ever does.
Even the most staunch Sunday attendees pre-Covid are now sporadic in attendance in our church. Those who volunteered before no longer do so, on the whole.
It has escalated what was already a decline in attendance, so that lots of church buildings will need to be mothballed. It may be a good thing in the end - the populace at large will need to decide whether they want the buildings to exist and if so to contribute towards their upkeep rather than leaving it to the vanishing few to find the money.
Meanwhile, those who want to worship will always find somewhere to go. I think it important to worship alongside others who want to worship too. While it’s good to get to know fellow Christians, it’s not as important as drawing close to God in prayer and praise.
Comments
AIUI many churches are struggling to reach their pre-Covid numbers again - I suspect that some, in urban and rural areas, will soon be forced to close.
Philip Larkin's poem *Church Going* comes to mind:
https://www.blueridgejournal.com/poems/pl-church.htm
We did quite well until last summer - indeed we temporarily picked up some folk from churches that hadn't yet reopened.
However numbers have been a bit down this autumn, basically I think because all the pther opportunities offered by Sundays are now possible once more, whether it be golf, cycling, junior football, visits to granny, marathons, weekends away ...
Much the same at Our Place, though numbers have been low all summer, and our neighbouring churches report a similar situation.
AIUI, they sing an Offertory hymn, whilst he prepares the altar, and a final hymn after Communion, whilst he clears up.
Alas, the church I refer to sometimes has just 3 old ladies (and a dog), none of whom are singers and/or musicians.
Nenya - Ecclesiantics Host
Certainly there are some folk in our church who haven't returned. I know that in some cases this is linked to personal circumstances largely unconnected with Covid, and another "nervy" person became extremely agoraphobic during Covid and ventures out rarely.
But there are others who either lost faith suring Covid or simply got out of the churchgoing habit. They may be others who are following other church services online (we don't do ours) although I don't actually think this is the case.
When I went last Sunday, it was the fullest I've seen it since before Covid and others said the same. Back in the day we used to have two morning services to accommodate everyone. I really hope we don't go back to that as it makes for such a hard, long morning for those involved in facilitating.
We do have a number of younger families nowadays, who attend, either in whole or in part, as they can, but the various other Sunday options mentioned a while back by @Baptist Trainfan take their toll.
Compared to some Places, we are quite well-off - we have an energetic and enthusiastic FatherInCharge, the £££ are looked after by a very able and competent Treasurer, and there are usually a few Small People, teenagers and/or students in church on a Sunday morning. It would be good to have more of each age group, though!
You'd think they'd know the answer to that by now...
I know Our Place still recommends masks (though not many wear them, as far as I can tell from livestreamed services), but hand-sanitisers are still available, and Communion is still administered in one kind only. The Peace is exchanged without any huggy-kissy-touchy-feely Stuff, except among families.
The only change we made to Communion was to use pre-cut bread cubes in wee cuppies instead of having them on plates (for passing round) together with a larger piece of loaf (from which pieces can be pulled off if preferred).
There aren't that many opening windows, but they have been left open since the Plague began. I guess that, as winter drawers on, and if it gets cold, they may be closed again.
Quite how heating (or the lack of it) will affect attendance, especially if we do get a cold snap, remains to be seen.
There are plans afoot to provide a *Warm Space* on winter Sunday afternoons, but in our local Community Centre, rather than in our church and/or hall - the Centre has much better facilities! It will be a joint venture between Church and Centre (which is run by a charitable Trust, not the local authority), but there will be NO proselytising...
As winter draws on, winter drawers are put on.
St Sanity had taken a very substantial drop in numbers pre-covid. A new rector was, alas, much more in the Sydney style than those who had preceded him (Sydney does not allow women rectors!!!) and many left. That makes it difficult to estimate the direct effect of covid. During the period of strictest covid restrictions, services were offered online only. The early service is now entirely in person, and the numbers attending are below half those attending pre-covid. The main service each Sunday continues to be available online as well as in person and there are quite a few who prefer that attendance. Our impression is that the total attending that service by either method is about half those pre-covid.
Indeed, but it will be advertised (AIUI) as a joint venture between the Church and the Community Centre (secular) Trust. We are hoping that, once the details are all ironed out as far as they can be, the nearby Ahmadiyya Mosque (*Love for all - Hatred for none*) may want to join in, even if only with 1 or 2 volunteers...
Most people at our place don't mask any more, although a few do, and nobody questions it - in a congregation that largely doesn't mask, the mask is more useful as an indicator that that person is still wanting to maintain personal space, rather than as an active defense against Covid.
I've stopped masking, although if I got a hint that anyone was being given a hard time for wearing a mask, my mask would be going straight back on.
Our numbers are still down quite a bit - I'd say the majority of the older people have come back, but a lot of the families with children are missing. I think they were the group that found other things to do on a Sunday morning, and for whom Zoom church really didn't work. So we have new habits to fight...
The church has struggled in the past few years, mainly in terms of numbers of membership, and the pandemic has placed a heavy burden on the dwindling congregation, which has led to the decision to close.
The congregation reduced to eleven members and, due to the events of Covid-19, plus deteriorating health issues of some of the members, it was decided to close the church with effect from 30 September, to coincide with the retirement of their minister.
In 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the church held services by phone and a weekly service sheet was distributed by the minister. The decision was made to close the church in September 2021.
When Covid-19 lockdown closed the buildings, those elders found it difficult to maintain and reopen them. The congregation decided to close the church in February 2022.
Covid-19 placed an additional strain on the fellowship, who had no minister. The decision was made to close on 27 January 2022.
I, too, don't personally know of any, but the Church of England (which is the denomination I know best) does not find it easy to close, or to dispose of, a church which is no longer viable. There is so much legal Stuff, which is complex, lengthy, and costly.
OTOH, one does hear or read of rural benefices, made up of a number of parishes and churches, where regular worship is no longer offered in at least one or two of the buildings. How (and by whom) such buildings are to be maintained in the future - with exponential cost increases affecting heating, repairs etc. - is bound to become more and more of a problem as times goes by.
Lots, is the short answer. But then Covid has been the final gust of wind that blew the Kirk over the edge of the cliff and they're frantically trying to stitch a parachute on the way down. Dozens, possibly hundreds, of buildings will close over the next 5 years, and in some areas the number of minister posts will halve.
It doesn't just affect churches. Other social activities that particularly appeal to now elderly generations are struggling. My G&S society has just hit the buffers for example. Expect more of the same.
Many admit to struggling with finance, numbers, people to do things. Lots of people go less often than before. Sadly I think that Justin's edict to close churches - whether he was leaned or not - boomeranged across us all and people simply opted out as the church seemed to close its doors to need as well as to worship. Sorry to feel that way but there it is.
Some have realised that church wasn't/isn't for them. Others have found new ways of occupying Sunday mornings.
My last church dropped a lot then regained a lot but not to quite the same level. Lots of new people, mainly families, many not from UK backgrounds.
Our Anglican church has lost some people, particularly families, but live-streaming our main morning service has meant that some people who were previously unable to join us have been able to follow us that way.
Yes, this is now becoming evident in Our Town, sadly.
FatherInCharge absolutely hated having to close the doors of the church for a time, and very quickly arranged for times when the building could be open for private prayer, followed by re-opening for said services, and so on. All this was done in accordance with the guidance laid down by the C of E authorities, and the government. However, numbers have still declined, and volunteers for various activities are lacking...
I don't have a regular church, this was a new one I was visiting to try out - and even if I went back (which I wouldn't, for other reasons) it's one where the congregational space is short and wide iyswim due to building shape constraints.
Yes, I see. Thanks!
I think so too. During the pandemic my own CofE place didn't do live-streaming so I tried another CofE church that did -and I have to say it was a poor experience.
So many issues re declining church attendance but here's one notion I wonder what you think of: Does church have to be every week? (Obviously I know the standard teaching on this) Why not make a bigger effort for an occasional service that has been really well prepared?(let the reader understand...).
Problems if you meet infrequently is that the sense of cohesion and continuity may be lost, also there will inevitablty be some folk who genuinely can't be there, thus leaving a long gap between attendances.
Of course quite a number of rural CofE churches don't have a service every week, though the timetable can be confusing for outsiders: "If it's Lent (but not the fifth Sunday nor the waxing phase of the moon nor ther Rector's birthday) then St Agatha's will hold a service at 10 am".
If you have (as Our Place does) a main service every Sunday morning, it at least gives everyone a chance to attend, even if they can only manage once a month (or even less frequently).
IOW, we have a base of some 50-60 people (including children) who can be regarded as *regulars* in the sense that they will attend as and when they can. We blow trumpets, and hang out flags, if the Sunday morning total reaches 50% of that base...
The daily Masses are often attended only by 2 or 3 (plus Father), but do have their own *regulars* who can't come at all on Sundays.
Sounds very much like our place. Few people except the really keen are going to consult a calendar to find out when the 'occasional' service is scheduled. People expect something will be happening every Sunday at 10.30 and come when they can (or feel inclined). We also get the occasional chance visitor who just happens to be passing, or maybe expects that a big building that looks like a church will have something going on at more or less that time.
Daily mass on the other hand is harder and harder to find, especially post-Covid. Shortage of priests and the emphasis on 'mission'* is another cause, sadly.
*often used to imply that worship is not central to mission. As if.
We are exceptionally fortunate (blessed, even!) to have a non-stipendiary/self-supporting priest who is willing to celebrate a daily Mass - even on what is otherwise his sacrosanct day off (he holds an 8am service on that day, and rushes off to the railway station immediately afterwards...).
When he came to us, we asked if we could have at least one weekday Mass, and were quite astonished when he said Mass would be daily.
There is another Anglo-Catholic Place a few miles away, and they, too, still manage to have a daily celebration. Otherwise, our three local MOTR Places have just the one weekday service each.
Even the most staunch Sunday attendees pre-Covid are now sporadic in attendance in our church. Those who volunteered before no longer do so, on the whole.
It has escalated what was already a decline in attendance, so that lots of church buildings will need to be mothballed. It may be a good thing in the end - the populace at large will need to decide whether they want the buildings to exist and if so to contribute towards their upkeep rather than leaving it to the vanishing few to find the money.
Meanwhile, those who want to worship will always find somewhere to go. I think it important to worship alongside others who want to worship too. While it’s good to get to know fellow Christians, it’s not as important as drawing close to God in prayer and praise.