Wrestling Under the Arches: Anglican Church Attracts Worshippers with Show Fights

In the town of Shipley in northern England, St. Peter’s Anglican Church has found an unusual way to attract new parishioners — through professional wrestling shows. The idea was initiated by 37-year-old Gareth Thompson, who believes wrestling and Christianity have much in common. This is reported by the Associated Press.

«When I became a Christian, I started seeing David and Goliath, Cain and Abel, Esau… and I thought, we can tell these stories,» Thompson told Associated Press journalists.

The unusual format gathered nearly 200 people within the church walls: from tattooed fans to parents with children. Under the arches of the century-old church, not only prayers are heard, but also challenges to the ring.

The church’s rector, Natasha Thomas, admits that the format is risky but effective:

«This is not a church in the traditional sense… But it attracts a different community.»

Thompson’s organization, Kingdom Wrestling, holds not only monthly shows but also training for both children and adults, self-defense classes for women, and mental health support for men.

St. Peter’s Church began attracting more parishioners after launching its wrestling show. Gareth Thompson dreams of expanding this model to other cities in the UK and eventually founding his own church.

Earlier, we reported that the oldest Orthodox church in the capital, known as the Savior on Berestov, will be opened as a museum, with paid tours conducted. This church was frequently used for its original purpose, where priests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church held divine services. However, now, since the church is under the National Reserve «Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra,» access for clergy has been restricted.