REV CARMEL Jones was just 17-years-old when he was told not to return to his local Anglican church.

When the current vicar of St Paul’s church in Clapham, South London heard what happened, he decided to hold a service to apologise publicly.

Rev Canon Jonathan Boardman said: “It is our painful duty to apologise to the Rev Jones for the mistakes of our predecessors, but his return is a moment of exceptional joy.”

Jones attended the Service of Absolution by Zoom and his address was read by his daughter Elaine Bowes. 

Speaking for her father, she said: “I was a boy of 17, when I encountered here one of the first of many acts of racial prejudice that subsequently occurred in my life.

“It provided the inspiration that led me to founding the Pentecostal Credit Union 25 years later. It led me to the Pentecostal Church, where I still am today and lastly, but certainly not least, it led me to meeting the woman who has been by my side for the last 63 years.”

A tearful moment

Reading her father’s words, Bowes shed a few tears.

As he accepted the apology, Jones also reflected on Proverbs 17:9. The scripture reads: “Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.”

Bowes said she commended Boardman for holding the special service, though her father had forgiven the Anglican church some time ago. 

She added: “It was incredibly poignant reading my father’s words and thoughts in the church.

“It’s a testimony to his Christian faith that he has been able to view that racist incident in a positive light and talk about how it has provided the most important opportunities of his life.”

St Paul’s Church has a proud history of fighting against social injustice. 

It is not far from its sister church Holy Trinity. William Wilberforce and The Clapham Sect were a group campaigning to abolish slavery, they lived around Clapham Common and attended both churches.