Rise in numbers attending Cathedral services

THE number of people joining Christmas services and concerts at Exeter Cathedral increased last month, to 24,500.

There were more people at every service throughout the month, contributing to a ten per cent rise on the numbers attending since last year.

A new service of Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve attracted 500 people and the Cathedral was filled to capacity for the traditional Grandisson service. The figures don’t include the normal weekday or Sunday services, but only special Christmas services and concerts.

The Dean of Exeter Cathedral, the Very Revd Jonathan Draper, said: “It has been a wonderful Christmas season in the Cathedral. Numbers attending services were at record levels, up ten per cent on previous years. It has been fantastic to welcome so many to such a wide range of services including – for the first time in a generation – Midnight Mass.

“Our choir of boys, girls and adults were fantastic throughout and we are very grateful for our volunteers and staff who helped welcome so many people over the Christmas period. The numbers who come demonstrate that the Cathedral offers a very special place for people to reflect and connect with God, among all the busyness of the Christmas season.”