The Speaker's Chaplain says the prayers for Parliament in the
Chamber each day at the beginning of the day's business. The
Revd. Hudson-Wilkin will also take the services of Holy
Communion celebrated in The Chapel of St Mary Undercroft where
occasional offices are held. The Speaker's Chaplain is also
available to offer spiritual guidance to members and staff of the
House.
The Speaker's Chaplain, The Revd. Rose Hudson-Wilkin
(third from left) alongside the Speaker of the House of
Commons, Rt Hon John Bercow MP, shortly after the announcement of
her appointment in June 2010.
History of the Office of Speaker's Chaplain
The post of Speaker's Chaplain is also referred to as Chaplain
to the House, even though they have long been regarded as part of
the Speaker's staff. The office officially originated in 1660, when
the first person to be appointed as 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 Chaplain did not
receive an official salary until 1835, consisting then of £200 a
year. They are appointed by the Speaker and accepted by the House,
and, as well as the obligations towards Members, the Chaplain
provides a pastoral ministry when required by the staff of the
Palace of Westminster. The Chaplain can also perform baptisms and
marriages in the Crypt or Chapel of St Mary Undercroft situated
within the Palace of Westminster.
From 1972-2010, the Speaker's Chaplain
was
also
the
Rector of St Margaret's
Church situated next to Westminster
Abbey.
During 2010 the position of Speaker's Chaplain was separated
from the role of Rector of St Margaret's. Although the
Chaplain is no longer responsible for day to day running
of St Margaret's Church both the Chaplain and Rector continue to
work closely together to provide a spiritual and pastoral
presence within the Palace of Westminster.
St Margaret's Church has been part of Westminster Abbey since
the 1970s and has long been known as 'The Parish Church of the
House of Parliament'. The Rector works with the Speaker's
Chaplain to offer a public pastoral and liturgical ministry to
members of both Houses.
The role played by St Margaret's Church in
Parliamentary life is significant. The Rector hosts a monthly Communion
service for Members of Parliament, and the Church is frequently
used for Baptism, Weddings and Thanksgiving Services for
Parliamentarians. St Margaret's is also used by Parliament and the
Church of England for more formal occasions throughout the year
such as the annual Parliamentary Carol Service and the Services for the new
Parliament.
As well as the usual Church Wardens, there is a
Parliamentary Warden who is currently Sir Peter Bottomly MP. Sir
Peter's role is to foster the links between Parliament and St
Margaret's.
More information about St Margaret's
Church, its relationship with Parlaiment and its history can be
found here: St Margaret's Church