ABSTRACT
In urban contexts, it was secularization that appeared to be the cause of churchgoing decline. If anything, denominations under-provided for burgeoning urban, industrial populations. Significant sections of the urban working classes could not have gone to church because there was insufficient seating available for their use. One former church in Edinburgh in the 1980s displayed a sign reading 'Sweet Services' - which sadly was not an invitation to mellifluous acts of worship. In 1851, Llanelli had seating in its various churches and chapels for 85 per cent of its population of 8415, and Caernarfon for 81 per cent of its population of 9883. City centre churches in York are struggling - even attendances at the Anglican St Michael le Belfrey and the Catholic St Wilfred have declined sharply within the past twelve years. By 1902, all major denominations, except the Catholics, were characterized by empty churches.
