St Margaret’s holds a Service for the New Parliament

Tuesday, 23rd July 2024

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby, gave the Address at a Service for the New Parliament at St Margaret's Church, Westminster Abbey on Tuesday 23rd July 2024.

The service, which was attended by MPs, peers and parliamentary staff, was conducted by The Right Reverend Anthony Ball, Canon Rector.

The Right Honourable Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, Speaker of the House of Commons, read Micah 6: 6-8; and The Right Honourable The Lord McFall of Alcluith, Lord Speaker, read Luke 1: 46-56.

The Speaker of the House of Commons reads Micah 6: 6-8

The Lord Speaker reads Luke 1: 46-56

The Archbishop of Canterbury gives the Address

The Right Reverend Anthony Ball, Canon Rector gives the Blessing

Prayers were led by the Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon and Precentor of Westminster, and said by: the Reverend and Right Honourable The Baroness Sherlock OBE; the Reverend Mark Harris, Chaplain, Christians in Parliament APPG; Father Christopher Colven, Roman Catholic Duty Priest in Parliament; and the Venerable Tricia Hillas, Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons.

The service was sung by the St Margaret’s Consort, conducted by Andrew Nethsingha, Organist and Master of the Choristers, Westminster Abbey. The organ was played by Thomas Trotter.

Standing between Westminster Abbey and the Palace of Westminster, St Margaret's Church has long had links with Parliament and is often called 'the parish church of the House of Commons'.