Rev Samuel Grant, founding pastor of Christchurch Carrickfergus, died on 30 May.

Grant had served the church for more than 48 years before retiring in 2020.

He was awarded an MBE in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to the community.

Grant held chaplain roles for the Mayor of Carrickfergus on two occasions and for the local branch of the Royal British Legion for over 30 years.

He also served for more than two decades as padre of the Ulster Defence Regiment Association.

Grant started the church in Carrickfergus Orange Hall with former colleagues from Courtaulds before the congregation moved through several locations and settled at Oakfield Drive.

His family stated that he had fought vascular dementia for six years and passed peacefully.