Geoffrey Brindley, known locally as the Jesus Man of Bradford, was a well-known figure in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire.[1] For over 50 years, Brindley would walk the streets of Bradford dressed in a monk's habit and sandals waving hello and smiling to people wherever he went.
Jesus Man of Bradford | |
|---|---|
| Born | Geoffrey Brindley
www.bradfordjesusman.co.uk |
Life
editAccording to local legend, Geoffrey Brindley gave up his job as a machinist to live in a cave near Settle in order to receive a message from God.[2] He spent 12 days in the cave before setting off to Bradford wearing a habit. After moving to Bradford he would spend his days walking the streets and became such a popular figure around the city that he regularly stopped at homes where his hosts served him a cooked dinner.[3]
During his early life as a Christian, Mr Brindley is thought to have been arrested for causing a breach of the peace outside a bingo club whilst preaching about gambling and protesting about a Beatles concert.
In 2011, a petition nominating Bradford Jesus Man to carry the Olympic torch amassed over 23,000 signatures.[4]
After his death, £2,000 was raised to build a statue of him in Baildon.[5]
Death
editGeoffrey Brindley died in 2015 at the age of 88. He suffered a stroke and subsequently fell down the stairs at his home, leaving him hospitalised.[6] With little known about him, a request was put out in the town of Buxton to find any relatives.[7] At his funeral, hundreds of people lined the streets near Bradford Cathedral to pay their respects.[8]
References
edit- ^ "Hundreds gather at Bradford Cathedral for funeral of 'Jesus Man'". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
- ^ "Bradford Jesus Man' Geoffrey Brindley – 6 years since his death". Telegraph & Argus.
- ^ "The Jesus Man of Bradford". Church of the Ascension and Saint Agnes. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
- ^ "Hunting for England's Legendary Bradford Jesus Man". Vice.com. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
- ^ "Statue for "Jesus Man" of Bradford". Premier Christian News. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
- ^ "'Bradford Jesus Man' Geoffrey Brindley critically ill after suffering a stroke in stairs fall". thetelegraphandargus.co.uk. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
- ^ "Search for family of 'Bradford Jesus'". ITV.com. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
- ^ "Hundreds gather to mourn the loss of Geoffrey Brindley, fondly known as Bradford's Jesus Man". Asian Sunday. Retrieved 19 October 2015.