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

The Abbey is our place of work; it is also a community, and above all it is a church. As we minister to the needs of the nation, the Commonwealth and the world, all who come here should be made welcome and find here peace, hope, and a sure sign of faith.

Within this community we are committed to the task of helping worshippers, pilgrims, visitors and one another to find their place in Westminster Abbey.

We have three guiding principles:

  • We are a community.
  • We are sustained by hope.
  • We strive to be faithful in all that we do

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.

Latest report

The chapters within the report are:

  • The Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle
  • Mission and 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 Objectives of the Abbey
  • The Canons of Westminster
  • Abbey Governance and Management
  • Westminster Abbey Annual Accounts
  • Independent Auditor’s Report