Mark Birch | |
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Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons | |
![]() Birch in 2024 | |
Church | Church of England |
Diocese | Royal Peculiar |
In office | November 2024 to present |
Predecessor | Tricia Hillas |
Other post(s) | Canon Rector of Westminster Abbey (2024–present) |
Orders | |
Ordination | 2000 (deacon) 2001 (priest) |
Personal details | |
Born | 1970 (age 54–55) |
Nationality | British |
Denomination | Anglicism |
Alma mater | University of Bristol Westcott House, Cambridge Emmanuel College, Cambridge |
Mark Russell Birch, MVO (born 1970) is a British Anglican priest and chaplain. Since 2024, he has been Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons and a canon of Westminster Abbey. After working as a vet, he trained for ordination at Westcott House, Cambridge. He served as a chaplain at an Oxford University college, a children's hospice and a special school for disabled children and young adults. He was priest-in-charge of St Faith's Church, Winchester, before joining Westminster Abbey in 2014 as a chaplain and minor canon. He was made precentor in 2020 and has served as canon rector since 2024.
Birch graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) from the University of Bristol in 1993. [1] His short early career was as a veterinarian. [2] From 1997 to 2000, he trained for ordination at Westcott House, Cambridge. [2] [1] During that time, he also studied theology at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1999. [1]
Birch was ordained in the Church of England as a deacon in 2000 and as a priest in 2001. [1] From 2000 to 2003, he undertook his curacy at the Church of St John the Baptist, Cirencester, in the Diocese of Gloucester. [1] [3] He then served as chaplain at Exeter College, a college of Oxford University (2000–2003); at Helen & Douglas House, a children's hospice (2006–2010); and at Treloar School, a special school for disabled children and young adults (2010–2014). [2] [1] [4] From 2012 to 2014, he was priest-in-charge of St Faith's Church, Winchester and chaplain to the Hospital of St Cross. [2] [1]
In January 2015, he joined Westminster Abbey as a chaplain and minor canon. [5] [6] He was appointed precentor in 2020, becoming responsible for the daily worship at the Abbey and planning many of its special services. [1] [3] [6] [7] He took part in the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on 19 September 2022; leading the prayers from ministers and clergy of different Christian denominations. [8] In the 2023 Demise Honours, he was appointed Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO) for services to the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. [9] He also led the rehearsals for the coronation of Charles III in 2023. [10] [11] On 26 September 2024, it was announced that he would be the next Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons, in succession to Tricia Hillas. [2] [3] He took up the appointment as the 81st Speaker's Chaplain on 7 November 2024. [5] [10] He was also appointed canon rector of Westminster Abbey, with special responsibility for in its ministry in the public square. [2] [12]
The Precentor, the Revd Mark Birch, rather than the Earl Marshal, directed the rehearsals. To him is due the seamless perfection of the day, and the tasteful vestments.