Church Attendance Rises for First Time in Decades, New Report Finds
A report from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research shows church attendance increased in 2026 for the first time in decades. Clergy also report more volunteering and renewed optimism among congregants.
Church attendance in the United States rose in 2026 for the first time in decades, according to a new report from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. The findings also show increased volunteering and renewed optimism among clergy.
The report comes after years of steady decline in religious participation. Researchers tracked attendance across Protestant, Catholic, and non-denominational congregations. The uptick was modest but consistent across multiple regions.
Phil Knox, missiology senior specialist for the Evangelical Alliance, said the data reflects a broader cultural shift. "Belief is back," Knox said. Younger generations are seeking truth in what he described as a "post-truth" age, and churches that connect with culture are seeing growth.
Bible sales have also increased, with publishers reporting a surge in purchases tied to renewed curiosity about faith. Knox noted that 28 percent of new Christians cited a spiritual experience as the reason they sought out Christ.
Youth for Christ reported that teenagers are experiencing what staff describe as a "Quiet Revival," with some youth groups seeing new members after young people reported dreams and spiritual encounters.
Clergy surveyed by the Hartford Institute said they feel more hopeful than they have in years. Many pointed to community service programs and food banks as entry points for new attendees, particularly as inflation and cost-of-living pressures have pushed more families to seek help from local churches.
