Memorial Service for Lord Bannside

In a statement to the Times, Cllr John Finlay said: “My wife and I were privileged to be present at the memorial service for Lord Bannside in the Ulster Hall on Sunday. The service was a most fitting and moving tribute to one of Ulster’s greatest sons and, as he himself would have wanted, every aspect was permeated by the Gospel.

“It was very much a family occasion, and after warm tributes from Baroness Paisley and Ian Paisley, a very clear Gospel message was preached by Rev Kyle Paisley. How often in years gone by was that same Gospel message proclaimed in that Hall by Dr Paisley himself!

“It would have been his prayer that all who heard it on Sunday would have their faith firmly placed in Jesus Christ as the only Saviour of sinners. That, above all else, was what drove him in all that he did. He is now gone from us, but he will never be forgotten, and his legacy will live on. I am glad I had the chance to pay my respects at Sunday’s historic service, and I continue to remember the family in my prayers.”