New Chaplain Installed At The Queen’s Chapel of the Savoy

On Monday 30th September the newly appointed Chaplain of The Queen’s Chapel of the Savoy was formally installed in the presence of the Dean and Sub-Dean of the Chapels Royal, the Right Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally DBE and the Reverend Canon Paul Wright.

Canon Thomas Woodhouse has been appointed to the post of Chaplain by her Majesty The Queen in Right of Her Duchy of Lancaster. He takes up his new role following the retirement of the former Chaplain The Reverend Canon Professor Peter Galloway.

The Queen’s Chapel of the Savoy is the last surviving building of a hospital founded by Henry VII for the poor, needy and homeless. It has belonged to the Duchy of Lancaster as part of its historic Savoy Estate since it was built in 1512. In 2016, the Duchy of Lancaster agreed to the incorporation of the management of ecclesiastical matters at the Chapel into the Ecclesiastical Household. This arrangement mirrors the relationship between the Historic Royal Palaces and the Chapels at the Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace, bringing all Her Majesty’s Chapels in London under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Dean.

Commenting on his installation, the new Chaplain said: “This service was an inspiring act of worship and an exciting start to my ministry. How we live out our faith in all aspects of our day to day lives is undoubtedly a challenge and one with which we all need a certain amount of help and support. Working with the excellent team here and my colleagues within the Duchy and Chapels Royal I am sure that we will be able to offer support, guidance, friendship and succour to everyone in the wider community as well as the local congregation.”

Thomas Woodhouse previously worked in the dioceses of Gloucester and Salisbury, most recently in Dorchester, the county town of Dorset. Between 2005 and 2014 he was Vicar of Royal Wootton Bassett, a period when repatriations put the town firmly in the spotlight. In his new role Thomas has pastoral responsibility for the congregation and all those who make the chapel their spiritual home.

“The Queen’s Chapel of the Savoy is also the spiritual home of the staff of the Duchy of Lancaster,” added Thomas, “and I look forward to working closely with them in the years ahead to support them in carrying out their duties and responsibilities in all aspects of their work.”

Chairman of the Duchy Council Sir Alan Reid GCVO gave a reading during the service which also celebrated the feast of St Michael and All Angels. Duchy Chief Executive Mr Nathan Thompson and Chief Finance Officer Mr Chris Adcock LVO were also in attendance and welcomed the new Chaplain into the wider Duchy family.