Sunday congregations in the Isle of Man fell by 17 per cent in 2011 according to the latest annual statistics from the Church of England.
This is higher than the 0.3 per cent fall in the British Isles and equates to about 300 fewer people over the year across the island a spokesman for Bishop Robert Paterson said.
Latest statistics, which give figures for 2011, nonetheless show the island has an average of between 39 and 65 people per 1,000 going to church.
The Reverend John Coldwell said overall attendance was holding its own in the diocese particularly considering a number of churches were without permanent clergy.
He added the ecclesiastical electoral rolls for the parish remained healthy, with 2,600 people represented in 2011 – 200 fewer than in 1996.
One third of all live births were baptised in 2011 in the Isle of Man and the Church of England had also conducted 48 per cent of all funerals held in the island.
Statstics for the UK show increasing Christmas day congregations but Mr Coldwell said the island tradition was for more people to attend the Christmas eve service.
St Ninian’s Christmas Eve service last year attracted 126 people compared with 32 on Christmas morning.
