Cathedrals ‘for the rich’ as one in four charges entry

Members of clergy fear rising fees will create perception worship is only for those who can afford it

ONE in four cathedrals now charges for entry, prompting fears that access appears to be increasingly restricted to the rich.

Some cathedrals run by the Church of England charge close to £30 to enter. Canterbury increased its entry fee by £1.50 to £17 last year, while Westminster Abbey increased charges by almost 50 per cent in the space of four years to £29.

It comes amid efforts to entice younger generations through church and cathedral doors. Norwich Cathedral was accused of “treating God like a tourist attraction” after it installed a 55ft, £2-a-ride helter-skelter in its nave in 2019. The same year, Rochester Cathedral opened a crazy golf course. Cathedral visitors have skated in the aisles at Gloucester and gazed at an installation of the moon in Liverpool Anglican Cathedral.

Other cathedrals that charge entry include St Paul’s, which has a £20.50 fee, Oxford’s Christ Church, which costs £20, and York Minster which charges £18.

Fees have risen as the Church of England faces unprecedented pressures. Analysis by found Church of England parishes are closing at a record rate. Almost 300 have disappeared in the past five years, the fastest rate since records began in 1960.

Churches are also trying to tackle declining congregation numbers, leaving many clergy afraid to speak out for fear of losing their jobs.

The Association of English Cathedrals

insists cathedrals are still free for those attending services or for private prayer. Those that do charge also offer nearby residents entry free of charge.

Members of the clergy said the trend created the perception that worship is only for those who can afford it. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a member of General Synod, the Church of England’s legislative body, said: “The difficulty is, how is it that cathedrals can stay afloat and be a place of prayer and a focal point for the community? I don’t think they have the right balance.

“It’s just too expensive. People should be able to go in and pray in the cathedral of their community or city without needing to pay. It suggests that cathedrals are only for the rich.”

In contrast, Rev Robert Thompson, vicar of St Mary and St James West

‘How is it that cathedrals can stay afloat and be a place of prayer and a focal point for the community?’

Hampstead and a member of General Synod, said: “Putting myself in the shoes of a cathedral dean, how do you maintain the fabric of enormous buildings, which are also sites of wonderful national heritage, and yet government funding for them and parish churches is minimal. It’s different on the continent where the state maintains the buildings.”

The Church of England said “there is no central policy” on charging and fees are determined by individual chapters.

Sarah King, of the Association of English Cathedrals, said: “Only nine out of the 42 Church of England cathedrals charge for entry. Those that do so, give free access to those attending services and for private prayer and some give free entry on Sundays and at other times.”