TRIBUTES have been paid to Chester pastor Thomas Mvula (Pastor Themba) who has died at the age of 72.

A well-liked and highly recognisable figure in Chester for a number of years, Pastor Themba could often be seen preaching in the city centre, where his kind and approachable nature endeared him to many within the city.

Originally from Zambia, he attended Zion Tarbernacle on Grosvenor Park Road where he would keep his gospel texts before taking them with him, often to the junction of St John Street or Frodsham Street.

Pastor Themba sadly passed away on October 24, after suffering with Alzheimer’s for the past few years. He had been a resident at The Oaks Care Home in Shotton, which specialises in care for those with dementia, for much of that time.

Pastor David Carson, who will be conducting the funeral service on Thursday (November 7) at Kingsway Chapel, had known him for more than a decade.

Pastor Carson said: “He was a gentle character. He had that big smile and was a very affable and approachable man. That undoubtedly gave him a connection with ordinary folk.

“A nice man, in the proper sense of the word. He was a man who, as an evangelical, believed in salvation by faith alone and by Christ alone.

“I knew him for a long time and all of our folk thought very highly of him and, work permitting, will be at the funeral.

“He was part of the establishment in the church, and he would often read the scripture and come to the prayer meetings as well. He will be sadly missed.”

Pastor Themba’s son, Themba Jr, who has travelled to the city many times to visit his father, also spoke to The Standard.

He said: ““He was very charismatic, I would say, big hearted and very friendly. He was always smiling, always singing, a big loud voice. You couldn’t miss him. I think that is how a lot of people will know him as they encountered him whilst he was doing his preaching.”

“We all realised the impact that he’d had on other people’s lives. In a way we were slightly separate for the last ten years or so as we [his two sons and his daughter] were all in different cities but we would come to Chester and people would mention the impact that he’s had on them. It’s really great to hear.

“We’re expecting to hear some stories [on Thursday] from some people that we’ve not had chance to meet yet.

“In a strange way, in the last few years it has been nice to talk with him [whilst at The Oaks] and also see him reconnecting with music and with singing, that’s part of his legacy is his gift of singing. To share that time with him has been really special.”