Gloria Stewart Blenman

Gloria Stewart, the seventh of eight children in the "Singing Stewarts," was born in Trinidad and immigrated to England in nineteen sixty-one.

loria Stewart, the seventh of eight children in the “Singing Stewarts,” was born in Trinidad and immigrated to England in nineteen sixty-one. Her family was deeply rooted in the Seventh-day Adventist faith in Handsworth, where music and worship were central. This dedication was guided by their mother, who actively tutored them to ensure their singing was meaningful and ensured their home on Mayfield Road was always open to the community. This upbringing, though resisted in her teenage years, provided a strong moral foundation and laid the groundwork for the family’s success.

The family group, The Singing Stewarts, naturally emerged from this environment, leading to extensive international travel and performances. Her brother, Frank Stewart, was especially influential, hosting “The Frank Stewart Gospel Show” on BBC radio for many years, where he provided a vital platform for emerging artists and interviewed gospel legends like Vickie Winans and Edwin Hawkins. The family had early exposure to media, being heavily featured in a BBC television series in nineteen sixty-two.

In the late nineteen seventies and early nineteen eighties, The Singing Stewarts began extensive international touring, particularly in Germany, where they attended the massive Kirchentag festival. They performed across Germany, Holland, and Belgium, often for free, motivated purely by “singing for the glory of God.” Gloria recalls a vivid, near-death experience in Germany that she attributes to divine intervention.

The eight Stewart siblings, including Oscar (educator and chorale leader) and Phyllis (main lead singer), all contributed to the group. Her sister Phyllis possessed an amazing voice that Gloria compares to the legendary Mahalia Jackson. Gloria praises Oscar’s commitment to excellence and high-achieving school leadership, as well as Frank’s ability to connect with people.

Gloria laments the “cultural stranglehold” and “denominational walls” within the historical British gospel scene. These limitations, combined with a lack of support, prevented talented singers like Phyllis from pursuing professional secular careers, a challenge that affected many talented Black gospel singers.

Now, Gloria passionately advocates for ecumenism, urging denominations to unite as “one church” to maximize their impact. She champions the immense, often unsung, talent in the black gospel community, stressing the need for contemporary artists to record their work.