A church in England opens its doors to pro wrestling to attract converts

Apnews - Apr 4th, 2025

In Shipley, England, St. Peter's Anglican Church has found an unconventional way to fill its pews by hosting 'Wrestling Church,' a monthly event combining professional wrestling with Christian teachings. Led by Gareth 'Angel' Thompson, a former wrestler and charismatic Christian, the initiative aims to attract a diverse crowd, from wrestling enthusiasts to those curious about faith. The events, featuring local wrestling heroes like Billy O’Keeffe, are packed with cheering spectators and include sermons and prayers, reflecting Thompson's vision of merging scripted wrestling narratives with biblical stories of good versus evil.

As traditional church attendance declines in the UK, with less than half the population identifying as Christian, innovative approaches like Wrestling Church are seen as crucial for survival. The Rev. Natasha Thomas of St. Peter's acknowledges the risk but appreciates the new community the events bring. Although only a few attendees transition to regular Sunday services, the initiative has successfully baptized 30 people in its first year. Thompson, inspired by his personal transformation through wrestling and faith, plans to expand this unique blend of spirituality and sport to other cities, challenging conventional perceptions of both wrestling and Christianity.

Christianity Professional Wrestling Wrestling Church Gareth 'Angel' Thompson St. Peter's Anglican Church Church Attendance Shipley, England

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article is a well-written and engaging piece that effectively captures the unique blend of wrestling and religious services at St. Peter's Church in Shipley, England. It provides a detailed narrative through direct quotes and vivid descriptions, making it accessible and interesting to a broad audience. However, the story could benefit from a more balanced perspective by including voices skeptical of the initiative, as well as additional data or expert insights to support its claims. The article's focus on a novel approach to religious engagement is timely and relevant, though its broader impact may be limited to niche audiences. Overall, it successfully highlights an innovative community strategy while maintaining clarity and readability.

Accuracy

The article accurately describes the unique event of Wrestling Church at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Shipley, England, and provides specific details about the founder, Gareth Thompson, and his motivations. The factual claims regarding the decline in church attendance in the UK and the innovative approaches churches are adopting are consistent with broader trends. However, the article could benefit from more precise data or external verification on attendance figures and the impact of these events on regular church participation. The story's claims about Thompson's personal history and the integration of faith into wrestling are well-supported by direct quotes and specific examples, lending credibility to the narrative.

Balance

The article presents a predominantly positive view of the Wrestling Church initiative, highlighting its success in attracting diverse audiences and integrating faith with entertainment. However, it lacks significant counterpoints or critical perspectives, such as potential criticisms from traditional church members or religious authorities. Including voices from those skeptical of mixing wrestling and religious activities could provide a more balanced view. The story does mention the priest's initial uncertainty, which adds a hint of balance, but this aspect could be expanded.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and clearly written, making it easy to understand. It uses straightforward language and maintains a logical flow, beginning with the event's description and expanding into the broader context and personal stories. The tone is engaging and neutral, effectively conveying the story's uniqueness without sensationalism. The inclusion of vivid descriptions and direct quotes adds to the article's clarity and reader engagement.

Source quality

The primary sources in the article are credible, including direct quotes from Gareth Thompson, Rev. Natasha Thomas, and attendees of the Wrestling Church events. The use of firsthand accounts and direct quotations from involved parties strengthens the reliability of the information presented. However, the article could enhance its credibility by incorporating insights or data from independent experts on church attendance trends or religious community dynamics.

Transparency

The article provides clear context for the Wrestling Church events and the motivations behind them, particularly through Gareth Thompson's narrative and quotes. However, it could improve transparency by offering more detailed explanations of the methodology used to gather information, such as how attendee reactions were gauged or how attendance figures were calculated. Additionally, disclosing any potential biases or conflicts of interest from sources would enhance transparency.