Paisley to visit Lewes

DOCTOR Ian Paisley, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, is coming to Lewes on November 17.

The fiery preacher/politician will preach during a special service at 3pm for the re-opening of the flood-stricken Jireh Chapel.

Dr Paisley is Moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church, which took over the Chapel from the Independent Calvinists in April, 1998.

After the re-opening, the Jireh is holding a two-week gospel campaign, and Dr Paisley will speak again there on November 19, 20 and 21 at 8pm.

Other speakers will include the Rev David Smith from Liverpool, the Rev Gordon Ferguson from London and Pastor Noel Shields of the Jireh. Dr Paisley drew a packed congregation, including a large contingent from Northern Ireland, when he last spoke at the Jireh at the time that the Free Presbyterians took over the listed building three years ago.

He has been a regular visitor to Lewes over the years, showing a great interest in local bookshops.

On one notable Bonfire Night some years ago he was seen handing out leaflets to the passing public and was politely asked to move on.

The listed Jireh Chapel was badly damaged in the floods of October last year with up to five feet of water inside. The floor and pews had to be repaired as part of the 150,000 restoration operation.

The Chapel, near the Phoenix Causeway, was built in 1805 as a monument to Calvinistic Independency. It once had one of the biggest congregations in Lewes; 410 children were taught at its Sunday School in 1887.

In recent years its congregation has dwindled to less than a dozen, although there has been something of a revival under the Free Presbyterians.