Abbey mourns the Reverend Jane Sinclair

Thursday, 14th January 2021

The Abbey today mourns the loss of the Reverend Jane Sinclair, former Rector of St Margaret’s and Canon of Westminster, who has died.

Jane retired in April 2020 after five and a half years at the Abbey during which time she was a well-loved and deeply valued member of the Abbey community.

Jane greatly strengthened the Abbey’s partnership with Parliament, Whitehall and other public sector neighbours both through her ministry at St Margaret’s, known as ‘the Church on Parliament Square’ and ‘the parish church of the House of Commons’, and through the Westminster Abbey Institute, which she chaired.

Jane Sinclair was installed as a Canon of Westminster in 2014

Jane was present in the Abbey for many special services, including the annual Commonwealth Day service

As Chair of the Institute, Jane strengthened the Abbey's relationships with public service institutions in Westminster and Whitehall

The Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend David Hoyle, said:

‘It is less than three months since we gathered at St Margaret’s to thank Jane, as she left the Church and Abbey. Now, we pause in a deeper sorrow to remind ourselves of the privilege we enjoyed in knowing this remarkable, faithful, and courageous woman. A Rector of St Margaret’s must move with grace amongst many different communities, acknowledging the deep significance of each encounter. Jane fulfilled that ministry with style and generosity of spirit.

'She honoured all and yet still challenged all with the claim the gospel makes upon us. She had the ability and charm to bring us together. She had the intelligence, vision and courage to command our respect. Speaking at that first farewell, I suggested that she had the strength to push at doors grown stiff from too little use, widening the networks of our engagement with Parliament and Whitehall. That was an important element in a significant ministry. I prefer however, a tribute paid very recently. She was a ‘remarkable and good person’. May she share the inheritance of the saints.’

Jane was appointed Rector of St Margaret's Church in 2016

She retired in 2020 after five and half years at the Abbey

Jane Sinclair was a much loved and respected member of the Abbey community

Jane Sinclair studied at St Hugh’s College, Oxford and then trained for her ministry at St John’s College, Nottingham and Nottingham University. She served her curacy as a Deaconess at Herne Hill Saint Paul with Ruskin Park Saint Saviour, in Southwark diocese, from 1983 to 1986. From 1986 to 1993 she was Chaplain and Lecturer at St John’s College, Nottingham. In 1993 she moved to Sheffield Cathedral to become Canon Residentiary and Precentor before taking up the position of Vicar of Rotherham in 2003. From 2007 until her appointment to Westminster Abbey she was Archdeacon of Stow and Lindsey in the diocese of Lincoln.