Poor connectivity hitting rural churches

Rural churches in Gloucestershire face a funding crisis due to a lack of internet connectivity, according to new research.

Ecclesiastical Insurance found a third of rural churches are not using digital donations and blamed a lack of internet connectivity in their area.

The company said a series of bank closures has also affected donations.

Helen Richards from Ecclesiastical Insurance said: “As our banking habits have changed over the years churches have had to adapt to make sure they’re keeping up."

The insurance firm said churches will also have to deal with mobile phone networks switching off their 3G networks by 2025.

"By embracing digital donations they’re able to safeguard their income generation, which is great news - helping to preserve the church now and into the future," Ms Richards said.

“There are challenges ahead though, not least the issue around rural connectivity issues and bank closures.

"It’s a concern that so many respondents to our survey said they don’t have a fundraising plan in place. From a future resilience of the church perspective this exposes them to risks – such as the loss of one revenue stream in cash donations," she added.

At St Michael and All Angels church in Tirley of the congregation struggle to be able to send a text message, so the chance of some payment technology working is minimal.

Church warden, Katherine Creese, said getting internet services installed in the building is a big problem:

"To actually try and install it at the moment would be a bit of a no, no. The walls are very thick, the internet connections in the village are not that brilliant and getting a phone signal depends on the weather," she said.

"We get many people saying, 'I haven't got any cash, how can I donate":[]}