The Rev Ian Paisley's leadership of the church he founded on St Patrick's Day 56 years ago has finally ended.
Ministers and elders of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster met last night in Dungannon, Co Tyrone, to elect a new moderator, the first time such a gathering has been called.
The meeting began at 8pm and a well-placed source said he believed it would last some hours, perhaps beyond midnight.
Dr Paisley undertook to stand down as moderator last year in a move widely believed to be linked to unease within the church about his decision to enter a powersharing Executive as First Minister alongside Martin McGuinness last May while retaining leadership of the church. Some Free Presbyterians, almost certainly a minority, continue to feel a sense of betrayal that Dr Paisley should have compromised with republicans on the political stage.
Last night's meeting was private, with entry restricted to ministers from each of the church's congregations and at least three elders with possibly more being delegated to attend from the larger congregations. It was widely anticipated among church sources that perhaps two or three nominations as Dr Paisley's successor would be made.
Many commentators believe the most likely candidate to win election would be the deeply conservative Armagh preacher and deputy moderator, the Rev Ron Johnston. However, there has also been mention of the Rev John Greer, a candidate from Ballymena, and perhaps of Belfast preacher the Rev David McIlveen. It is thought his relatively high public profile could boost his candidature should he allow his name to go forward.
It is not thought likely that the Rev Ivan Foster, one of Dr Paisley's sternest critics on the issue of sharing office with Sinn Féin, would be elected moderator.
As outgoing moderator, Dr Paisley was due to attend last night's meeting. There was speculation that a special senior position would be created for him but this was later disregarded.
One delegate to the meeting said any new moderator would be guided by four main principles.These would be "evangelism, opposition to ecumenism, facing up to Islam and offering a positive and outward reach" to biblical Christians.
The election coincides with this week's Irish Times report that Dr Paisley is not to stand in the next Westminster election, thus fuelling speculation about his retirement from representative politics. It remains widely anticipated that deputy leader Peter Robinson would succeed him as DUP leader.
Dr Paisley's son, Ian jnr, in a recorded interview for BBC Radio Ulster today referred to Mr Robinson as likely successor as party leader.
"I think it is obvious that that man has given considerable loyalty and support to the leader of the party," he said.