Wrestling and Worship: England’s Wrestling Church combines faith and fight to reach new followers | World News

In a surprising mix of faith and flying elbows, St. Peter’s Church in Shipley has become home to a unique blend of religion and wrestling. Known as Wrestling Church, the initiative brings live wrestling matches into the sacred space, complete with roaring crowds, body slams, and stained-glass windows.
The idea behind Wrestling Church
The idea comes from Gareth Thompson, a 37-year-old Chrian and lifelong wrestling fan, who says both Jesus and wrestling helped him through tough times. “Wrestling is all about good versus evil,” Thompson told the Associated Press (AP). “When I became a Chrian, I started seeing Bible stories in the wrestling ring — like David and Goliath or Cain and Abel. I thought, ‘We could tell these stories here.”
A new community
Once a nightclub, the building is now filled with nearly 200 people each month, from excited children to tattooed wrestling fans, all gathered under the church’s arched ceilings for what Thompson calls “organised mayhem.” A short prayer is followed two hours of action, with fans cheering and waving foam fingers as wrestlers tumble through the aisles.
Story continues below this ad

Spectators cheer proceedings during a Kingdom Wrestling show at St Peter’s Church in Shipley. (AP)
The priest in charge, Reverend Natasha Thomas, admitted to the AP that she wasn’t quite sure what she was agreeing to at first. “It’s definitely not the kind of church service most people are used to,” she said. “But it brings in a whole new community that we wouldn’t otherwise see.”
Some long-time churchgoers were sceptical at first, but many have come to love the energy Wrestling Church brings. “At first glance, some of the wrestlers might look a bit rough,” said Chris Moss, who was married in the church almost 50 years ago. “But once you talk to them, you realise you can’t judge a book its cover.”
‘Pray, Eat, Wrestle, Repeat’
Thompson — known in the ring as Gareth Angel — is both a preacher and a performer, often seen wearing a shirt that says Pray, Eat, Wrestle, Repeat. Wrestling was his escape growing up, especially during a difficult childhood marked abuse and homelessness. “Watching people like Shawn Michaels or The Rock gave me hope,” he told the AP. “Wrestling helped me survive — and now it’s become my passion.”
Since launching Wrestling Church in 2022, Thompson has used it not only to entertain but also to support the local community. His charity, Kingdom Wrestling, offers training for kids and adults, women’s self-defence classes, mental health support for men, and help for young people expelled from school.Story continues below this ad
Billy O’Keefe celebrates victory in a six-man-scramble at a Kingdom Wrestling show at St Peter’s Church in Shipley. (AP)
While only a few fans have gone on to attend traditional Sunday services, Wrestling Church has already baptised 30 people in its first year. Some of the wrestlers, like 26-year-old Stephanie Sid — known in the ring as Kiara — say it’s helped them reconnect with their faith. “I now pray before matches and even invite my opponent to join me,” she told AP. “It’s made a big difference.”
Others, like Liam Ledger, who wrestles as Flamin’ Daemon Crowe, are more focused on the sport. “I mainly come for the wrestling,” he said. “But for some people, it’s the faith that draws them in — and then they discover wrestling is actually fun too.”
Thompson hopes to take Wrestling Church to more cities across the UK and dreams of starting his own church one day. While some may see both wrestling and religion as “fake,” he disagrees. “If you believe in something, it becomes real for you,” he told the AP. “People suspend disbelief because they want to feel hope — and that’s what this is all about.”
(with inputs from agencies)
© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd

Expand