Ship of Fools: Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle, Australia

The Mystery Worshipper

Ship of Fools: Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle, Australia

A thoughtful sermon, beautiful singing from the choir, and pews which made rude noises

Read the full Mystery Worshipper report here

Box Pew

One fears that a huge cathedral that could seat hundreds cant be viable much longer if the main service of the week attracts so few that there are as many in the sanctuary as the pews.
How sad, for it is an impressive monument to the buoyant faith of previous generations.

Of course a church is not just about numbers — but the costs of maintaining such as building are stubbornly about numbers!

Bishops Finger

Yes, an alarmingly low attendance. I wonder if there's any special reason for it, or is Newcastle just suffering the general decline in Anglican churchgoing in many countries?

Ex_Organist

The music is listed on the pewsheet: http://www.newcastlecathedral.org.au/blog//wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2024/02/Pewsheet-25-Feb-2024.pdf

Gee D

Bishops Finger wrote: »

Yes, an alarmingly low attendance. I wonder if there's any special reason for it, or is Newcastle just suffering the general decline in Anglican churchgoing in many countries?

Most churches throughout the whole of Australia have suffered a similar decline, not just Anglican. Catholic parishes continue to draw reasonable congregations (that near us gets 2 dozen or more at morning weekday services). The ones that seem to be flourishing are those established to cater for particular communities of those recently arrived here. But congregations in most mainstream suburban parishes continue to dwindle.

One point not mentioned about Newcastle Cathedral is its location. What was the main city centre of Newcastle is along the southern bank of the Hunter River, just a few hundred metres from its mouth. There's a steep rise (steep enough to have steps in the footpaths) The Cathedral is placed on a level step close to the top of the rise, with stunning views - east over the Pacific, north over the river and the long beaches heading north, and more river, industrial and residential views as you pan westward.

Barnabas_Aus

Additional to the factors referred to by @Gee D , there is also the hangover from the findings of the Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse and the subsequent trial and imprisonment of the former Dean. I know Dean Katherine well. She is a committed pastor, but the history and the interpersonal damage are significant barriers to growth.

Bishops Finger

That sort of thing certainly leaves its mark. Thanks for the information @Barnabas_Aus.

John Bunyan

Have heard the Dean lead the funeral service of a friend in a very fitting way (perhaps not readily allowed into our Sydney Diocese for this) and am glad to hear of her sermon. I was the fairly un-musical Precentor and Minor Canon at the cathedral in the mid 70s, and although soberly high church, then there was no incense, only two candles on each altar, and no ugly stomach-churning crucifix over the pulpit. I think the more extreme Anglo-Catholic changes have deterred more people, especially the younger, than they attract, there and elsewhere. I myself am a theologically liberal but culturally (BCP) conservative but I think that moderate evangelical Anglicans (in contrast to radical neo-puritans) could and should be made much more at home. I am especially dismayed at the lack of adequate welcome but that is true of many churches I have encountered here and in England and still find too often in Sydney. There were - and still are - crowded congregations for ordinations and other major services but not for Sunday services although they are now probably about half. The cathedral is in a beautiful position, overlooking the harbour, and I lived next door but reached my house only by a steep climb from the main street. It is just impossible for most elderly people to get there on foot, there is no public transport, and St John's Parish Church, Cooks Hill I presume is still there, not far away and on the level ground.

Gee D

You're 100% right about the difficulties many would experience accessing the Cathedral. My memory is of some parking space on the grounds but that street parking is all but impossible. I remember St John's Cook Hill, and a one-time Shipmate and his partner used worship there.