The Reverend Mark Birch has served as Chaplain to Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, Speaker of the House of Commons, since 7th November 2024. He combines this with his other duties as a Canon of Westminster Abbey.
The Chaplain says prayers in the House of Commons Chamber on every sitting day, after which formal business begins. He also presides at the weekly services of Holy Communion that are celebrated in Parliament’s chapel, the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft.
The Chaplain provides pastoral care to the Speaker, Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff, and performs baptisms and marriages in the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft for Members, staff and officials of both Houses. The Chaplain is one of the officials of the House of Commons who takes part in the daily Speaker’s procession, before each sitting day begins.
Further information on the appointment of Reverend Mark Birch
History
The post of Speaker’s Chaplain has long been regarded as part of the Speaker’s staff, though is also referred to as Chaplain to the House. In 1660 the first person to be recorded as appointed Speaker’s Chaplain was Edward Voyce, although the presence of a clergyman to conduct prayers in the House is recorded in the Cromwellian Parliament of 1659. The post was without salary until 1835.
The Chaplain is appointed by the Speaker and as well as providing a personal chaplaincy to him/her, the Chaplain also provides pastoral and spiritual support for Members and staff of both Houses.
From 1972-2010, the Speaker’s Chaplain also acted as the Rector of St Margaret’s Church, which is situated in Parliament Square next to Westminster Abbey.
A list of former Chaplains to the Speaker can be found here.
The Church of England in Parliament 
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