Our mission and values

At Westminster Abbey, we see ourselves as a living symbol of faith at the heart of the nation. Our main purpose is to be a working inclusive church.

Christ's hand holding a globe of the world

Our mission

  • To offer daily divine Worship to Almighty God and resource the Church in this vocation;
  • To serve the Sovereign;
  • To proclaim the Gospel to the nation and Commonwealth, celebrating the distinctive witness of the Christian faith and engaging with public life;
  • To provide a safe, welcoming and inspiring environment for all who came to the Abbey;
  • To care for the precious resources entrusted to us; our people, building, heritage and money.

Our values

As one we serve each other, our visitors and the wider world in all that do with:

  • Truthfulness
  • Integrity
  • Empathy
  • Excellence

Governance

Dean & Chapter is the overall governing body of the Abbey but there is also an Abbey Board that takes responsibility for setting strategies for the Abbey and overseeing their implementation.

Annual reports

Each year, the Dean and Chapter of Westminster offers the reigning monarch, as the Abbey’s Visitor, our annual report on the fulfilment of the mission of the Collegiate Church of St Peter in Westminster.

Latest report

The 2023 Report of the Dean and Chapter to The Visitor His Majesty The King (PDF, 10.5MB)

The chapters within the report are:
  • The Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle
  • Strategic Priorities of the Abbey
  • Offering Divine Worship and Serving The King
  • Proclaiming the Gospel to the Nation and Commonwealth
  • Providing a Safe and Inspiring Welcome 
  • Acting as Responsible Stewards
  • Financial Performance and Risk Management
  • Management of the Abbey
  • Short-term Priorities of the Abbey
  • The Canons of Westminster
  • Abbey Governance and Management
  • Westminster Abbey Annual Accounts
  • Independent Auditor’s Report

Previous reports

The 2022 Report of the Dean and Chapter to The Visitor, His Majesty The King (PDF, 8.1MB)

The 2021 Report of the Dean and Chapter to The Visitor Her Majesty The Queen (PDF, 5.1MB)

The 2020 Report of the Dean and Chapter to The Visitor Her Majesty The Queen (PDF, 3.9MB)

The 2019 Report of the Dean and Chapter to The Visitor Her Majesty The Queen (PDF, 5.2MB)

The 2018 Report of the Dean and Chapter to The Visitor Her Majesty The Queen (PDF, 1.8MB)

The 2017 Report of the Dean and Chapter to The Visitor Her Majesty The Queen (PDF, 3.5MB)

The 2016 Report of the Dean and Chapter to The Visitor Her Majesty The Queen (PDF, 3.6MB)

The 2015 Report of the Dean and Chapter to The Visitor Her Majesty The Queen (PDF, 2.5MB)

The 2014 Report of the Dean and Chapter to The Visitor Her Majesty The Queen (PDF, 2.5MB)

The 2013 Report of the Dean and Chapter to The Visitor Her Majesty The Queen (PDF, 7.5MB)

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