Episode 3

Giles Fraser is a parish priest in the Church of England, slightly anxious about the overall decline of church attendance in this country. It's a complex picture with parishes dwindling in some areas and growing in others. To get a grip on what's happening he talks to historians, sociologists and clergy, visiting some of his parishes from the past to find how things have changed during his ministry.

In this third and final episode, Giles makes an emotional return to Christ Church in Blakenall Heath, an outer city parish where he served as a young priest and learned the value of the worshipping community. He explores the moment in history when when churchgoing became a minority activity, considers the future of Christianity and looks at the effect of Covid on numbers and ways to worship online.

Contributors: Bishop Arun Arora, Lamorna Ash, Professor Heidi Campbell, Professor Sir John Curtice, Professor Tom Holland, Alex Jones, Fr Mark McIntyre, Fr William Lamb, Professor Sir Andrew Motion, Professor Emeritus David Voas. Professor Linda Woodhead.

Presenter: Rev Dr Giles Fraser
Producer: Catherine Murray
Asst Prod: Peter Everett
Studio Mix: Kelly Young
Production Co-ordinator David Baguley
Editor Tim Pemberton