The Abbey is not currently open for public worship, general visiting or private prayer. Meanwhile, the community of Abbey clergy are continuing to worship and pray, in-line with government guidance. They are also producing a podcast to mark key liturgical events.
Find out moreWestminster Abbey is a glorious building with a long history. It is a place of memorial, the theatre of national identity and the threshold of the Kingdom of God. It is also a community. Some of us live in the precincts and some of us travel many miles to work in the Abbey. That community fills the Abbey with life. The Dean and Chapter is determined to protect the welfare of that community. In response to the outbreak of Coronavirus in the UK, we have been following Government advice and closely monitoring updates and developments.
In line with recommendations from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York for the Church of England, the Abbey has suspended public worship and general visiting. The Abbey’s own Choir School has also closed and the choristers are with their families.
It is now apparent that for the wellbeing of our staff there can be no further access to Westminster Abbey’s church and its precincts until further notice. This includes all administrative areas in Dean’s Yard.
We must do this to protect the people we care about, but all of us at the Abbey are saddened by this decision. Meanwhile, the community of Abbey clergy, privately, will sustain the worship of a building that has been a witness to God’s grace and glory for over a thousand years. Daily, we will pray for our Queen and her government, for those whose courage and commitment will help make so many of us well, and for all who are sick, or anxious. This is above all, a community of hope, and we will also continue to pray for the healing that will come and which will equip us to welcome you here again.
Although our doors are shut please know that we pray with you and with the whole Church.
Orders for Morning and Evening Prayer, used in the Abbey and widely throughout the Church of England are on their website.
In prayer we are united by the Spirit, no matter how great our physical distance may be, and we offer suggestions for prayer so that we might express that unity which is ours in Christ.
In-line with government advice, we cannot open the Abbey to visitors at this time. Please check back for updates on our re-opening date.
It’s a privilege to live and work here – the Abbey really is the heart of the country and its history.
