CARY Grant might be the better known name but a blue plaque unveiled on the same day as the Hollywood actor’s is just as important to one Bristol community.
Reverend Ernest Marvin, who is commemorated at St James Church, Romney Ave in Lockleaze, was an inspirational and innovative minister and has been honoured with a Bristol Civic Society blue plaque.
In 1956, he was just 26 years old when he was ordained, and Lockleaze was a new, growing suburb in a very different time – a pre-Beatles, Teddy-boy era.
The minister formed a church youth club, popular with teenagers. He stipulated that they had to attend Sunday service to join the club. In 1959, Rev Marvin collaborated with Ewan Hooper, a Bristol Old Vic actor, to devise a gospel play in a form that young people could directly relate to.
A Man Dies was the first Christian Passion musical and, arguably, the first rock musical. It was first performed in the church and then went on to achieve spectacular success. In the early sixties, it ran for four years at the Colston Hall, playing to full houses for five nights each time. In 1964, it made the capital, not only filling the 5,000-seat Royal Albert Hall but also having a soundtrack album laid down at Abbey Road Studios. It was also shown on national television three times in as many years.
More than 70 residents gathered for the unveiling by Christine Welch, who had appeared in the original performances.
Afterwards they enjoyed refreshments and a screening of the 1961 television documentary about A Man Dies. It was plain to see that Rev Marvin is remembered with great respect and affection. It is hoped that new residents will admire Lockleaze’s first plaque and feel connected to that pioneering minister and youth club leader.