LORD BANNSIDE A LIVING LEGEND IN OUR TIME IS CALLED HOME

Lord Bannside ( Dr Ian R.K.Paisley ) quietly passed into the immediate presence of the Lord on Friday 12th September 2014. Dr Paisley was ordained to the Christian Ministry in 1946 and became a world renowned Gospel preacher. In 1951, he founded the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster and became it's Moderator. The denomination is now represented across the entire globe and has been a source of bringing the Gospel to the nations of the world. "The Big Man", as he was affectionately known, was Minister in the Martyrs Memorial Church on the Ravenhill Road in Belfast for over 60 years.

In 1970, he entered the field of politics and became the Member of Parliament for North Antrim, a position that he was to occupy for over 40 years, eventually becoming the Father of the house at Westminster. In 1971, Dr Paisley formed his own political party that would defend Protestant principals along with the Unionist cause. Little did he realise that one day the party which he formed would become the voice of Unionism and would become the 4th largest political party in the House of Commons.

In 1979, Dr Paisley was elected to the European Parliament as an MEP for Northern Ireland. He was elected as the most popular MEP throughout Europe with the largest majority. Under his leadership the Democratic Unionist Party became the largest political voice of Unionism in 2005. Following the St Andrews agreement, Dr Paisley became the First Minister of Northern Ireland in 2007 and was made a Life Peer in 2010, taking the title of Lord Bannside, the Parliamentary District in which he first stood.

There is no doubt that Dr Paisley was a living legend in our day and age. His passion for the souls of men, the Country that he loved and the Protestant Reformed Faith was beyond question.  He will be sadly missed by those who grew to love the man, his message and the Master he served. Dr Paisley will be missed most of all by those who knew him best and loved him most. To his dear wife, Baroness Paisley and the whole of the family circle we extend our heartfelt sympathy. This province of Ulster and the nation in which we live will never again witness a man with his character, qualities and vision.

We salute his life, testimony and memory and we thank the God of Heaven for allowing us to have crossed his path and to have known him in life.