Well-loved bishop set to be laid to rest

The congregation of Mount Peniel Church of God in Christ Apostolic in Stafford and the wider community will line the streets to pay tribute to Bishop Dr. Joshua Emanuel Brooks.

Bishop Brooks died on Thursday, October 29 at the age of 91 after a short illness at his home in Stafford.

He first came to the UK from St Catherine in Jamaica in 1956, first settling in Dudley, then moving to Stafford in 1957.

He was known as a community leader throughout his time in Stafford, becoming one of the African-Caribbean residents in the town and later becoming a landlord to immigrants from countries such as Jamaica, Nigeria and Ghana.

Serving his community through selfless service such as feeding homeless people and teaching people to drive for free, he became a Christian in 1964 and was ordained as a pastor of Stafford's first Black majority church in 1966.

His passion helped to bring people to Mount Peniel Church of God in Christ Apostolic from across the region and he also planted churches in places as diverse as Wolverhampton and Florida.

He lectured at schools and colleges in Stafford and acted as minister for Drake Hall Prison Eccleshall, Stafford Prison and Winson Green Prison Birmingham.

He was married to his wife Catherine for 62 years and is survived by nine of his children, who have taken up roles as pastors, church ministers and entrepreneurs.

The Bishop will be buried on Friday, November 20 in Stafford, with the funeral taking place at The Church at Rowley Street at 10am.

The family has asked for those wishing to pay their respects to follow social distancing guidelines on the route, which leads from County Road through Rowley Street and Beaconside to Weston Road.