Importance of Churches and Chapels

People were asked how important the Churches and Chapels in the Isle of Wedmore were to them. Here are their responses:

Overall, farmers and people whose families have lived in the parish for generation place greater importance on the churches and chapels. The residents of Blackford also place more importance on the church than the other villages – especially the regular services and when the church acts as a focal point (Christmas/Easter/Harvest/Remembrance). Interestingly, the under 25s are far less likely to see any positive contribution from the churches and chapels.

• Sunday or weekday services – Farmers were most likely to think that the churches and chapels were important for regular services, as were people whose families had lived in the parish for generations or who had themselves lived here for more than 30 years. The over 65s, females and residents of Blackford also emphasised the importance of regular church services. The under 25s did not see this as important.
• Weddings/funerals/baptisms – Across the entire community these are seen as important functions served by the churches and chapels. Farmers, those whose families had lived here for generations and residents who had lived in the parish for more than 30 years saw these as particularly important. Again, the under 25s placed less importance on the role of the churches and chapels.
• Community focal point at Easter/Christmas/Harvest/Remembrance – Again Farmers and those who had lived here for generations saw the churches as a particularly important as a focal point at these times as were the residents of Blackford. The under 25s were particularly less likely to see this as important.
• Venue for cultural events – The under 25s were least likely to see this as important. Farmers, people whose families had lived here for generations and the residents of Theale and the 3Cs also saw this as less important.
• Peaceful place for meditation/private prayer – Generally agreement that this is an important function for the churches, as with the other functions, the under 25s are least concerned with this.
• Historic building – Again, the under 25s are least likely to be interested in the churches and chapels as historic building as are the residents of Theale.
• Venue for meetings – General agreement as to the importance, once again under 25s do not see the churches and chapels as being important.

Conclusions

The Churches and Chapels are seen more as focuses for community activity, on occasions that bring the community together, with less emphasis on regular worship. Although this aspect is still important for people whose families have lived in the parish for generations, for farmers and for people in Blackford, where the local Church is going through something of resurgence.

There has been concern that churches and chapels are not attracting young people to them as once they did and our survey seems to bear this out.

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