A memorial service for a homeless man who was part of the community of Cross Green, Leeds, was held in St. Hilda’s Church on 
Sunday attended by many who knew him.
Although homeless, Kenneth Howson, who was known to everyone as ‘Christian’, was loved and cherished by many in the community, and he was known across the city.
His body was found in January, deep in undergrowth in a field near the church where he had his tent and could live undisturbed.
He was part of the Cross Green gardening project and of the St. Hilda’s Wednesday lunch group that feeds the homeless and vulnerable in the parish, many of whom wanted some way of paying their respects to him, and to say goodbye.
In a quiet and reflective service during which the congregation lit candles for him the Parish Priest of Cross Green and Richmond Hill, the Revd Darren Percival, recalled his first meeting with Christian, who said to him: “Father, even though I’m homeless and you are working as the Priest, together when we die we will be holding each other’s hands. When we stand before God we will enter God’s house as equals.”
Father Darren said: “Christian’s words have played a huge part in my ministry among you here in Cross Green as, irrespective of what life throws at us, we have the hope of the Resurrection, and we are all equals in God’s eyes.”
He recalled the words of a song from the Boy Scout Gang Shows, Romany Road, which summed up the life of Christian:
Who cares for fame and fortune when a man lives a life as free as air,
When your heart's alight and wondering and your home is anywhere.
Your tent can be your castle; your roof can be the sky.