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House History

Chaplains of the House

(1789 to Present)

Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution states: "The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers."

The election of the Rev. William Linn as Chaplain of the House on May 1, 1789, continued the tradition established by the Continental Congresses of each day's proceedings opening with a prayer by a chaplain. The early House Chaplains alternated duties with their Senate counterparts on a weekly basis. The two conducted Sunday services for the Washington community in the House chamber every other week.

In addition to opening proceedings with prayer, the Chaplain provides pastoral counseling to the House community, coordinates the scheduling of guest chaplains, and arranges memorial services for the House and its staff. In the past, Chaplains have performed marriage and funeral ceremonies for House members.


Date of Appointment Chaplain Denomination
May 1, 1789 The Reverend William LinnPresbyterian
Jan. 4, 1790 The Reverend Samuel BlairPresbyterian
Nov. 5, 1792 The Reverend Ashbel GreenPresbyterian
Nov. 17, 1800 The Reverend Thomas LyellMethodist
Dec. 7, 1801 The Reverend William ParkinsonBaptist
Nov. 5, 1804 The Reverend James LauriePresbyterian
Dec. 1, 1806 The Reverend Robert ElliotPresbyterian
Oct. 26, 1807 The Reverend Obadiah Bruen BrownBaptist
May 22, 1809 The Reverend Jesse LeeMethodist
Nov. 4, 1811 The Reverend Nicholas SneathenMethodist
Nov. 2, 1812 The Reverend Jesse LeeMethodist
Sept. 19, 1814 The Reverend Obadiah Bruen BrownBaptist
Dec. 4, 1815 The Reverend Spencer Houghton ConeBaptist
Dec. 2, 1816 The Reverend Burgess AllisonBaptist
Nov. 18, 1820 The Reverend John Nicholson CampbellPresbyterian
Dec. 3, 1821 The Reverend Jared SparksUnitarian
Dec. 2, 1822 The Reverend John BrackenridgePresbyterian
Dec. 1, 1823 The Reverend Henry Biddleman BascomMethodist
Dec. 6, 1824 The Reverend Reuben PostPresbyterian
Dec. 6, 1830 The Reverend Ralph Randolph GurleyPresbyterian
Dec. 5, 1831 The Reverend Reuben PostPresbyterian
Dec. 3, 1832 The Reverend William HammettMethodist
Dec. 2, 1833 The Reverend Thomas H. StocktonMethodist
Dec. 1, 1834 The Reverend Edward Dunlap SmithPresbyterian
Dec. 7, 1835 The Reverend Thomas H. StocktonMethodist
Dec. 5, 1836 The Reverend Oliver C. ComstockBaptist
Sept. 4, 1837 The Reverend Septimus TustinPresbyterian
Dec. 4, 1837 The Reverend Levi R. ReeseMethodist
Dec. 2, 1839 The Reverend Joshua BatesCongregationalist
Dec. 7, 1840 The Reverend Thomas W. BraxtonBaptist
May 31, 1841 The Reverend John W. FrenchEpiscopalian
Dec. 6, 1841 The Reverend John Newland MaffitMethodist
Dec. 5, 1842 The Reverend Frederick T. TiffanyEpiscopalian
Dec. 4, 1843 The Reverend Isaac S. TinsleyBaptist
Dec. 4, 1844 The Reverend William M. DailyMethodist
Dec. 1, 1845 The Reverend William Henry MilburnMethodist
Dec. 7, 1846 The Reverend William T.S. SprolePresbyterian
Dec. 6, 1847 The Reverend Ralph GurleyPresbyterian
Dec. 1, 1851 The Reverend Littleton F. MorganMethodist
Dec. 6, 1852 The Reverend James GallagherPresbyterian
Dec. 5, 1853* The Reverend William Henry MilburnMethodist
Jul. 4, 1861* The Reverend Thomas H. StocktonMethodist
Dec. 7, 1863 The Reverend William Henry ChanningUnitarian
Dec. 4, 1865 The Reverend Charles B. BoyntonCongregationalist
Mar. 4, 1869 The Reverend John George ButlerPresbyterian
Dec. 6, 1875 The Reverend S.L. TownsendEpiscopalian
Oct. 15, 1877 The Reverend John PoiseMethodist
Dec. 3, 1877 The Reverend W.P. HarrisonMethodist
Dec. 5, 1881 The Reverend Frederick Dunglison PowerDisciples of Christ
Dec. 3, 1883 The Reverend John Summerfield LindsayEpiscopalian
Dec. 7, 1885 The Reverend William Henry MilburnMethodist
Aug. 7, 1893 The Reverend Samuel W. HaddawayMethodist
Dec. 4, 1893 The Reverend Edward B. BagbyChristian
Dec. 2, 1895 The Reverend Henry N. CoudenUniversalist
Apr. 11, 1921 The Reverend James Shera MontgomeryMethodist
Jan. 3, 1950 The Reverend Bernard BraskampPresbyterian
Jan. 10, 1967 The Reverend Edward G. LatchMethodist
Jan. 15, 1979 The Reverend James D. FordLutheran
Mar. 23, 2000 The Reverend Daniel P. CoughlinRoman Catholic

 

* From 1855 to 1861 the local clergy in the District of Columbia conducted the opening prayer. Thereafter, the House has elected a Chaplain at the beginning of each Congress.

Office of the Clerk - U.S. Capitol, Room H154, Washington, DC 20515-6601
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