The Reverend Jane Sinclair appointed Rector of St Margaret's Church

The Crown appoints Canons of Westminster, but their role in the Abbey is subject to annual appointment by the Dean and Chapter. At a recent meeting of the Chapter it was decided that Canon Sinclair, who was installed as a Canon of Westminster in September 2014 and is currently Canon Steward, would change responsibilities later this year.

St Margaret's Church is under the jurisdiction of the Dean and Chapter and stands within the precincts of Westminster Abbey beside the Palace of Westminster. It is known as 'the parish church of the House of Commons', and exercises a ministry to Parliament in collaboration with the Reverend Prebendary Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons. The Rector has pastoral responsibility for the Sunday congregation and for the many occasional offices and memorial and other special services that take place in the Church. The Rector also chairs the Westminster Abbey Institute, which works with the public service institutions around Parliament Square to revitalise moral and spiritual values in public life.

The Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, said:

I am delighted that Canon Sinclair has agreed to take on this new responsibility. With substantial experience in parishes and as an archdeacon, she is well suited to the various responsibilities of the position. Her appointment will also provide continuity following the recent review of the ministry of St Margaret's Church chaired by Baroness Butler-Sloss GBE.

Canon Sinclair said:

I am delighted at the prospect of becoming Rector of St Margaret's in September 2016, following the rich ministry of Canon Andrew Tremlett. St Margaret's has an exciting and challenging future ahead of it, as we seek further to develop our relationships with friends and neighbours in Parliament, Whitehall and Parliament Square, and also among the established congregation, and with the schools which we serve. The church is uniquely placed to engage in the outward-facing mission of Westminster Abbey. I also look forward to exploring with others new ways of resourcing adult education in the Christian faith, based in the church building. I hope that the coming years will see St Margaret's increasingly used during the week, and at the service of those of all faiths and none.

As Rector of St Margaret's I will also become chair of the Westminster Abbey Institute. The Institute has provided outstanding resources in public theology and ethics since its inception three years ago. It will be a great pleasure to enable the further development of this work.

I am honoured to be joining a faithful, caring, hospitable congregation, and gifted staff teams at the church and the Institute, with a fresh vision and energy to serve God at the heart of Westminster.

Canon Tremlett said:

I am delighted that my colleague, Jane Sinclair, has been appointed as the next Rector of St Margaret's. As a member of the Review Group, Jane fully understands the future course St Margaret's is charting as 'The Church in Parliament Square'. Her background in theological education, cathedral ministry and more recently as an archdeacon makes her ideally suited to chair the Westminster Abbey Institute and to take forward the renewal of St Margaret's.

The vacant position of a Canon of Westminster will soon be advertised. The new Canon will be Canon Steward and have wide-ranging responsibilities, in particular oversight of the Abbey's welcome for visitors, schools' work and hospitality and pastoral responsibility for 300 staff and 500 volunteers and those who worship regularly at the Abbey.