Back to Results
Methodist minister James Shera Montgomery, seen here opening a special session of the 75th Congress with prayer, served as House Chaplain from 1921 to 1950. The election of the first House Chaplain in 1789 continued the tradition established by the Continental Congresses of opening the day’s proceedings with a prayer.
History, Art & Archives, U.S. House of Representatives, “Reverend James Shera Montgomery,” https://history.house.gov/Collection/Listing/PA2012/PA2012-04-0025/ (August 13, 2022)
Office of the Historian
Office of Art and Archives
Attic, Thomas Jefferson Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 226-1300
