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 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.


* 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.




Congress
Chaplain
Denomination
1
William Linn Presbyterian
2
Samuel Blair Presbyterian
3
Ashbel GreenPresbyterian
4
Ashbel GreenPresbyterian
5
Ashbel GreenPresbyterian
6
Thomas LyellMethodist
7
William ParkinsonBaptist
8
William ParkinsonBaptist
8
James LauriePresbyterian
9
Robert ElliotPresbyterian
9
James LauriePresbyterian
10
Robert ElliotPresbyterian
10
Obadiah Bruen BrownBaptist
11
Jesse LeeMethodist
11
Obadiah Bruen BrownBaptist
12
Jesse LeeMethodist
12
Nicholas SneathenMethodist
13
Obadiah Bruen BrownBaptist
13
Jesse LeeMethodist
14
Obadiah Bruen BrownBaptist
14
Burgess AllisonBaptist
14
Spencer Houghton ConeBaptist
15
Burgess AllisonBaptist
16
John Nicholson CampbellPresbyterian
16
Burgess AllisonBaptist
17
Jared SparksUnitarian
17
John Nicholson CampbellPresbyterian
17
John BrackenridgePresbyterian
18
Henry Biddleman BascomMethodist
18
John BrackenridgePresbyterian
18
Reuben PostPresbyterian
19
Reuben PostPresbyterian
20
Reuben PostPresbyterian
21
Ralph Randolph GurleyPresbyterian
21
Reuben Post Presbyterian
22
Ralph Randolph GurleyPresbyterian
22
William HammettMethodist
22
Reuben Post Presbyterian
23
William HammettMethodist
23
Edward Dunlap SmithPresbyterian
23
Thomas H. StocktonMethodist
24
Edward Dunlap SmithPresbyterian
24
Oliver C. ComstockBaptist
24
Thomas H. StocktonMethodist
25
Oliver C. ComstockBaptist
25
Levi R. ReeseMethodist
25
Septimus TustinPresbyterian
26
Joshua BatesCongregationalist
26
Levi R. ReeseMethodist
26
Thomas W. BraxtonBaptist
27
John W. FrenchEpiscopalian
27
John Newland MaffitMethodist
27
Frederick T. TiffanyEpiscopalian
28
Isaac S. TinsleyBaptist
28
William M. DailyMethodist
29
William Henry MilburnMethodist
29
William T.S. SprolePresbyterian
30
Ralph GurleyPresbyterian
31
Ralph GurleyPresbyterian
32
Littleton F. MorganMethodist
32
James GallagherPresbyterian
33
William Henry MilburnMethodist
34
N/A
35
N/A
36
N/A
37
Thomas H. StocktonMethodist
38
William Henry ChanningUnitarian
38
Thomas H. StocktonMethodist
39
William Henry ChanningUnitarian
39
Charles B. BoyntonCongregationalist
40
Charles B. BoyntonCongregationalist
41
John George ButlerPresbyterian
42
John George ButlerPresbyterian
43
John George ButlerPresbyterian
44
John George ButlerPresbyterian
44
S.L. TownsendEpiscopalian
45
S.L. TownsendEpiscopalian
45
John PoiseMethodist
45
W.P. HarrisonMethodist
46
W.P. HarrisonMethodist
47
Frederick Dunglison PowerDisciples of Christ
48
John Summerfield LindsayEpiscopalian
49
William Henry MilburnMethodist
50
William Henry MilburnMethodist
51
William Henry MilburnMethodist
52
Henry MilburnMethodist
53
William Henry MilburnMethodist
53
Samuel W. HaddawayMethodist
53
Edward B. BagbyChristian
54
Henry N. CoudenUniversalist
55
Henry N. CoudenUniversalist
56
Henry N. CoudenUniversalist
57
Henry N. CoudenUniversalist
58
Henry N. CoudenUniversalist
59
Henry N. CoudenUniversalist
60
Henry N. CoudenUniversalist
61
Henry N. CoudenUniversalist
62
Henry N. CoudenUniversalist
63
Henry N. CoudenUniversalist
64
Henry N. CoudenUniversalist
65
Henry N. CoudenUniversalist
66
Henry N. CoudenUniversalist
67
James Shera MontgomeryMethodist
68
James Shera MontgomeryMethodist
69
James Shera MontgomeryMethodist
70
James Shera MontgomeryMethodist
71
James Shera MontgomeryMethodist
72
James Shera MontgomeryMethodist
73
James Shera MontgomeryMethodist
74
James Shera MontgomeryMethodist
75
James Shera MontgomeryMethodist
76
James Shera MontgomeryMethodist
77
James Shera MontgomeryMethodist
78
James Shera MontgomeryMethodist
79
James Shera MontgomeryMethodist
80
James Shera MontgomeryMethodist
81
James Shera MontgomeryMethodist
81
Bernard BraskampPresbyterian
82
Bernard BraskampPresbyterian
83
Bernard BraskampPresbyterian
84
Bernard BraskampPresbyterian
85
Bernard BraskampPresbyterian
86
Bernard BraskampPresbyterian
87
Bernard Braskamp Presbyterian
88
Bernard Braskamp Presbyterian
89
Bernard Braskamp Presbyterian
90
Edward G. LatchMethodist
91
Edward G. Latch Methodist
92
Edward G. Latch Methodist
93
Edward G. LatchMethodist
94
Edward G. LatchMethodist
95
Edward G. LatchMethodist
96
James D. FordLutheran
97
James D. FordLutheran
98
James D. FordLutheran
99
James D. FordLutheran
100
James D. FordLutheran
101
James D. FordLutheran
102
James D. FordLutheran
103
James D. FordLutheran
104
James D. FordLutheran
105
James D. FordLutheran
106
James D. FordLutheran
106
Daniel P. CoughlinRoman Catholic
107
Daniel P. CoughlinRoman Catholic
108
Daniel P. CoughlinRoman Catholic

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The Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin, Chaplain, U.S. House of Representatives
HB25 The Capitol - Washington, DC 20515-6655
Phone: (202) 225-2509 - Fax: (202) 226-4928