Large numbers of people are connecting with their faith online during the coronavirus lockdown, clergy have told Sky News.

Like all places of worship, churches across the country are closed this Easter because of restrictions on social gatherings to stop the spread of COVID-19.

It means ministers are now recording their sermons or streaming them instead.

David Walker, the Bishop of Manchester, had a huge response to his service last weekend and has found that social distancing appears to have led people to re-engage with their faith.

He told Sky News: “I took a service on Palm Sunday which was put out over the Church of England’s website and Facebook page, and when we last looked, over 400,000 people had watched that service.

“(It) beats any church congregation I’ve had in the past comfortably, and is a sense of how people do seem to want to be able to connect with worship at a time like this.”

All Saints Parish Church in St Ives, Cambridgeshire, would usually be alive with music and prayer this week but instead it lies silent with the gates locked shut.

Its vicar, Reverend Mark Amey, is also doing his services online, and has seen viewing numbers in triple figures, compared to the dozen or so he might see in church every week.

He told us the outbreak has had an enormous impact during what would normally be the busiest week of the year.

“Everything is different,” he said. “We’re not having the pastoral contact with people.”

He added: “Normally in Holy Week we’d run at least four services a day in church (including) the Maundy Thursday afternoon service with foot washing, and on Good Friday the focus on the cross where people here traditionally come up and kiss the cross.”

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have told clergy not to enter churches even on their own to pray or stream services over Easter.

In an online video, the Archbishop of Canterbury stressed why the church should be setting a good example and encouraging people not to congregate and stay at home.

“Jesus says where two or three gather in my name, I am there with them,” he said.

“And they don’t actually have to be physically gathered – virtually gathered does very well indeed. Jesus is quite up to date with all this stuff.”

This weekend, the Prince of Wales will feature in the digital services being produced by Westminster Abbey and Canterbury Cathedral. Prince Charles has recorded the Gospel reading for Easter Day.

While congregations are being kept apart, the spirit of giving has not gone away.

The food bank at All Saints has been inundated with Easter eggs, and the number of families and elderly people they deliver food to has doubled since the outbreak.

Co-ordinator Karen Clapp told us a spirit of togetherness has boosted morale.

“I think people take comfort knowing they’re not forgotten, not alone,” she said.

“This is affecting absolutely everybody – even the prime minister. There’s been so much division in the country and I think it’s good that people understand that they’re not alone.

“People are coming together to help, and it’s the great British public rallying around as they always do. It’s amazing – heartwarming as well.”

In her historic message last Sunday, the Queen said that while social distancing is challenging, it also provides a time for reflection.

“Though self-isolating may at times be hard, many people of all faiths and of none are discovering that it presents an opportunity to slow down, pause and reflect, in prayer or meditation,” Her Majesty said.

She was also “deeply disappointed” that the annual Maundy Thursday service at Windsor Castle, where she hands out Maundy money to pensioners, had to be cancelled because of the virus.

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