Embracing Digital Donations in Northern Ireland Churches
Contactless card terminals are increasingly visible in church buildings across Northern Ireland as institutions adapt to the digital age. With cashless payments becoming standard in daily life, several churches now offer their congregations and visitors the option to donate electronically.
At St Columb's Cathedral in Londonderry, parish administrator Robert McGonigle noted that since the Covid-19 pandemic, fewer people carry cash.
"When they say that now, we just point them towards the card machine."
A recent survey indicates that 13% of churches in Northern Ireland have installed devices to facilitate digital donations.
McGonigle first encountered contactless card terminals a decade ago at St Paul's Cathedral in London. Despite initial reservations, he has played a key role in introducing similar technology at St Columb's Cathedral.
Traditionally, congregants and visitors contributed donations in cash, either by placing money in collection baskets or offering envelopes handed to church officials. More recently, many churches have provided the option of donating via direct debit.
Some churches report that contactless payment options have become very popular. McGonigle remarked,
"Tapping your card is not quite as a painful as dropping money in the box."
Moving with the Times
Although the presence of modern card readers in historic church settings initially seemed incongruous, McGonigle embraced the change as necessary to keep pace with current trends.
"The fact is churches need to do whatever we can to keep the doors open - within reason, of course - and the machines have been extremely valuable,"he said.
Since their installation three to four years ago, the contactless terminals have generated nearly a five-figure sum for the cathedral.
However, integrating modern technology into a nearly 400-year-old building has presented challenges. McGonigle explained,
"The modem is up in the vestry, which isn't very far away from the machine. Because the walls are so big, the machine can struggle to pick up the signal sometimes. I suppose these are kinds of problems that arise when the old world meets the new."
Generating Money in the Modern Age
While contactless donations are more widespread in England—where nearly half of churches accommodate digital giving—the practice is gaining traction in Northern Ireland. In Scotland, 22% of churches offer contactless options, and in Wales, 23% have adopted the technology.
Other Londonderry churches have also embraced contactless payments. St Augustine's Church, a Church of Ireland parish, installed a terminal in 2023.
Church treasurer Drew Whyte explained,
"We got them in because we have more than 20,000 visitors come in here off the walls during tourist season, and less and less have cash with them these days."
He added that the terminals have become
"a really useful asset to help the church keep generating money in the modern age."
Whyte also noted that the company supplying St Augustine's contactless terminal now offers 'digital donation plates'—devices resembling traditional offering plates but equipped with buttons allowing donors to tap and give preset amounts.
Recently, all three churches within Derry's Catholic Three Patrons Parish were equipped with contactless terminals.
Parish priest Fr Micheál McGavigan described the initiative as
"common sense."
He elaborated,
"If you're tapping for coffee on the way home from church because you don't have cash in your pocket, then why not tap to support your church?"
Fr McGavigan emphasized that the goal is not to eliminate cash donations but to provide options.
"I don't think we'll see the envelopes disappear in my lifetime. But in the modern day, a lot of people don't carry cash anymore, so it's about catering for everyone."
Loose Change Becoming Uncommon
Jannet Fitton, visiting St Columb's Cathedral from Lancashire, England, expressed understanding of the shift toward card payments as part of societal changes.
"I fully understand why people want to use a card. There's more security, for example. That being said, I use both card and cash - but I do tend to use card mostly nowadays. The only thing is you never have any change, say if you need it for a car park."
Luca Aniello Ray, an Italian visitor to Northern Ireland, appreciated the card-friendly approach at local attractions.
"I think it's great that they have this option, because, as a tourist, carrying the currency of the country you are visiting is a bit inconvenient. This way, you just tap the card and go on with your day."
However, Luca does not believe a fully cashless society would be desirable.
"Cash donations can be easier to make, as in, 'I've got five pounds in my pocket, I don't need that, I'll donate it, whatever'. But yes, it's a great option to have,"he added.
