A BIG CHANGE

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 94, 18 October 1934, Page 12

A BIG CHANGE

ENGLAND'S SOCIAL FABRIC

INTEREST IN CHURCH WANES

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to the "Evenina Post.")

DUNEDIN, This Day.

'' The churches throughout England appear to have suffered considerably,in thoir attendances, and I could only ascribe- this to the fact that the whole social fabric has undergone a change since I was last there over twenty years ago," remarked Mr. E. Heywood, organist of St. Paul's Cathedral, discussing a holiday visit abroad.

Mr. Heywood found in England an unmistakeable air of confidence and optimism. Everybody seemed,to have plenty of money, and was spending it freely. For example, a few years ago people were content with having holidays a few miles away from their own places, but now they went to the Continent or on sea cruises.

He visited St. Helens, in Lancashire, and other religious centres with which he was actively associated early in his musical career, and everywhere found that there had been a distinct wane in interest in tho church. Years ago it was the unvarying rulo for congregations at St. Helens to total 2000 people, but the congregation now attending services.consisted of between 50 and 100.