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 Lady Sainsbury with the megaphone rallies campaigners outside the headquarters of the Diocese of London. |
The supermarket heiress ‘born again’ at a meeting of MPs’ wives
Lady Sainsbury, who is leading the campaign to save St Mark’s, talks to Jamie Welham about her faith and the moment when she realised that she had ‘to do something drastic’
WHAT possesses a committed Christian to stand on the steps of the Diocese of London with a megaphone, telling anyone who will listen that the Church has lost its way?
Lady Sainsbury has confessed to wrestling with her faith over the sell-off of her beloved St Mark’s Church – to be turned into a health spa – but she is adamant that someone should make a stand against the “sacrilege”.
The supermarket heiress and wife of former Conservative minister Sir Tim Sainsbury has spearheaded the Save St Mark’s campaign since the historic Mayfair building first came under threat, but until now her motivation has been a mystery to most people.
“The megaphone wasn’t my idea. But this is about more than just a church building. It’s a watershed, a line in the sand which I believe should not be crossed,” said Lady Sainsbury, Susie to friends, when the West End Extra spoke to her at her favourite St James’s hangout, St Ermins Hotel.
“There is a covenant on the building that it should be used for ecclesiastical purposes forever.
“These things mean something to me. The diocese have lost their faith. They’re selling the family silver but not only is this a church that still has a congregation, it’s more than that, it’s part of our heritage and British identity. This is still a Christian country but it’s fast disappearing and it’s something I’m willing to make a stand for.”
Despite being baptised and confirmed, the daughter of an army general who spent time in India and Singapore before being sent to boarding school says she never really became a churchgoer until experiencing a “born again” moment in rather bizarre fashion while attending a meeting of MPs’ wives in Parliament. She recalls her “testament” – more than 30 year ago – as if it were yesterday.
“At the time I was finding being an MP’s wife very difficult. It was intrusive and seemed to get in the way of the family, which has always been very important to me. I resented being a political wife.
“I went to this meeting, pulled out my Bible, and remember seeing the text jump out at me in three dimensions. God came to me that day and has been with me ever since. I was literally born again.”
Unwavering faith and belief in traditional institutions animate her every word, especially when speaking about her family.
The mother of four – and now a proud grandparent – says God didn’t tell her to get rid of her money or jewels, something she admits to questioning, but instead her newfound belief manifested itself more subtly.
“I still have the jewels and I am lucky to be well off.
“I thought I had everything I wanted, a loving husband, four children and money. But I realised I needed something more and had to do something drastic.
“It’s hard to describe but it came as a change in attitude. Christianity is something I have in common with my husband but not all my children feel the same way. They may not understand it but they do respect it as part of who I am. We have lively debates about it at home though.”
Living in Kensington, St Mark’s wasn’t the obvious choice of Church, but Lady Sainsbury grew to be friendly with the vicar and his wife, Rod and Julie Anderson, and began to attend their monthly women’s prayer group. It has been a “source of strength” ever since. She continues to work for a number of Christian charities, a joint trustee of The Jerusalem Trust which promotes Christian education with her husband of 47 years.
While George Hammer’s proposal for a health spa has the church’s backing, Lady Sainsbury says they should think again.
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