THE ROADS around Martyrs Memorial Church in south Belfast were jammed with traffic in all directions as the Free Presbyterian faithful came from all over the country to bid farewell to the Rev Ian Paisley.
The special retirement service last night marked the official end of 65 years of Dr Paisley’s ministry on the Ravenhill Road. There was a cheerful, celebratory atmosphere as the massive congregation surged into the church, squeezing into the old wooden pews.
Among the female members of the congregation there were many elaborate hats of all colours, trimmed with bows and feathers.
When Dr Paisley, now known as Lord Bannside, finally entered the church, alongside his wife Eileen, Baroness Paisley – who was wearing the most elaborate hat of all, an exotic confection in black and gold – there was a standing ovation and cheers as Dr Paisley raised an arm to acknowledge his followers. There ensued a series of tributes from fellow travellers: preachers and missionaries who have walked alongside Dr Paisley throughout the years.
Dr John Douglas, a Free Presbyterian minister from Lisburn, claimed his place as “the first convert the Lord gave you in your ministry”.
Dr Paisley’s son Kyle, now a preacher in England, said that despite all the demands on his father’s time, his first concern was always the spiritual welfare of his family.
When Dr Paisley got to his feet to acknowledge the praise, he appeared stooped and a little frail. Yet once he was back in the pulpit that formidable presence returned, and his increasingly powerful voice filled the church. Clearly this was not a man ready to say goodnight to the world just yet.