Bishop Percival Manradgh remembered as ‘remarkable spiritual leader’
Published:Monday | June 23, 2025 | 12:09 AMOlivia Brown/ Gleaner Writer
Scores of family, well-wishers and supporters packed the Kendal Conference Centre in Manchester on Saturday to pay tribute to the life and towering legacy of Bishop Dr Percival Alton Manradgh, bishop and general overseer of the Jamaica Free Baptist Churches (JFBC) – a denomination encompassing more than a dozen branches across the island.
Manradgh led the Four Paths branch of the JFBC, where he ministered alongside his wife of 42 years, Pastor Lois Manradgh.
In a display of reverence and unity, the congregation was adorned in purple and white – colours symbolising royalty, dignity, spiritual wisdom, and purity – an entirely fitting homage to a man whose life, many said, embodied those virtues.
Saturday’s Thanksgiving ceremony marked the final chapter in a three-part commemoration of Bishop Manradgh’s life. The first service was held in May in the United States, followed by a tribute service on June 19 at Mount Bethel JFBC in Four Paths – the church where Manradgh was baptised at the age of 12, and where, for decades, he ministered and built his spiritual legacy.
The series of commemorations bore the theme: ‘A Shepherd’s Legacy – Built on Love, Led by God’.
LAUNCH OF FOUNDATION
Saturday’s service also served as the official launch of the Bishop Percival Manradgh Foundation.
The atmosphere was one of deep reverence and solemnity, with elegantly crafted glossy programmes overflowing with tributes – including that from Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness, and Olivia Grange, minister of culture, gender, entertainment and sport.
Manradgh, 63, transitioned on May 14. His family said he died of a cardiac arrest. News of his untimely passing reverberated far and wide, sending shockwaves through the local and international religious communities as people grappled with the loss of a man venerated as a true servant of God.
In his tribute, Holness praised Manradgh as “a remarkable spiritual leader whose influence spanned more than five decades, and touched countless lives across Jamaica and beyond”.
Grange, in her reflections, said she was saddened to hear of the passing of Manradgh, who she described as a committed and steadfast steward.
Grange added: “I had the pleasure of meeting Bishop a few years ago at the thanksgiving service for my cousin, Cleonie Whyte-Robinson. Although it was a difficult time for our family, Bishop was a pillar of strength and a source of comfort during a challenging period. To his family, on behalf of the Government of Jamaica, I stand with you at this time,” Grange said, adding, “Bishop was a light in his community, across Jamaica and within the diaspora.”
Manradgh’s voice was also a familiar and cherished one on the airwaves – his impassioned preaching on the popular radio programme, Total Praise resonated with listeners both near and far.
Posited by many as a deeply family-oriented man who strove always to give his best to his loved ones, Manradgh, a grandfather to five, was remembered with profound affection by his children. Their tributes, draped in warmth and heartfelt emotion, painted the portrait of a devoted father whose love and unwavering guidance had shaped their lives.
His passing came just three days shy of witnessing his eldest son’s doctoral graduation – a milestone the family said he had eagerly anticipated.
TRIBUTE
Dr Demar Manradgh, the eldest of the late bishop’s three sons, and one of the officiants at the service, spoke with great emotion about his father’s life and ministry.
“His spirit came alive in worship, and his voice was often lifted in songs that stirred heaven and earth. His impact stretched far beyond these walls, and his ministry has left footprints across communities, generations, and hearts. Today, we honour not only the man, but the mission – not only the loss, but the lasting legacy,” Demar said.
His second son, Sanjay, proudly holds the title of their dad’s beloved domino partner.
“So many memories flood my heart, but what I’ll cherish most is the simple joy of our social life together, especially the laughter and fun shared over countless games of dominoes,” said Sanjay in a tribute.
Manradgh’s youngest son, Sachin, delivering the foundation’s citation, described the initiative as an enduring embodiment of their father’s passion for ministry, unwavering faith, and commitment to the next generation.
“Rooted in his passion for ministry, dedication and his unwavering belief in the empowerment of young people, the foundation will work to support children in need by providing essential school supplies and helping to remove barriers to their growth and success,” said Sachin. The foundation will also seek to develop more Christ-centred initiatives within the community.
Manradgh’s wife, Pastor Lois Manradgh, delivered the sermon under the theme, ‘Faithful until death’. She asserted her late husband as her safe place and an answered prayer. The friendship they had formed as mere 12-year-olds morphed into decades of love and ministry.
“What began in youthful friendship, blossomed into a sacred bond that only Heaven could have orchestrated. Through the years, you taught me the meaning of unwavering faith. You loved God first and then, in doing so, taught our sons not only how to lead, but how to love,” she said in a tribute.
Courtney Campbell, of the JFBC, Four Paths youth department said they will miss their bishop’s routine check-ins, and expressions of his compassion and care.
Although there were moments of sorrow, the day’s celebration often swelled with vibrant, joyful energy – resembling a grand concert of praise, with soul-stirring music, spirited dance, and rousing worship – a triumphant farewell to a life devoted to faith, service, and the unifying power of love.