TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular Bolton minister who has died at the age of 84.

Reverend Gordon Harper was the curate at St Peter’s Parish, Halliwell, in Church Road in the 1960s and later returned to the church as a team minister.

He died on Saturday, surrounded by his family, having suffered with dementia and diabetes in recent years.

His son Andy, who has just taken up the role of curate at St Paul’s in Ramsbottom, paid tribute to his father, who he said was a “gentle and caring man”.

He explained: “One of my dad’s favourite phrases was ‘everyone needs a good listening to’ — and that was something he was very good at.

“He was very gentle, caring and non-judgemental and always made space for people.”

Born in Salford, Mr Harper left school at 14 to work in the cotton mills, later studying at night school and going on to become a sales office manager.

His son explained how it was prayer that led his father and mother, Pat, to meet.

He said: “Though not a Christian at the time, he prayed for a girlfriend whilst at a bus stop, then met my mum, Pat on the bus. Both he and my mum became Christians at one of the many conventions run in the wake of the 1950s Billy Graham crusade after being invited by a friend, my Godmother Jill.

“At this time many thought a Christian revival was going to take place in the UK. One thing that did happen was that many men were inspired to go into the ministry and my dad was among them.”

The family moved to London, before heading back to Bolton, where Mr Harper took up the curate position at St Peter’s.

After a stint in South Yorkshire, he returned to St Peter’s to become a team minister — a role which Andy said was able to help him through some significant challenges.

He said: “In the late 70s there was division and dissension in the church – which was healed by the way and the parish continues to flourish – and he also had the challenge of my mum’s prolonged mental illness.

“Through counselling and Holy Spirit ministry he and my mum received healing and because of this experience my dad took up his post in Bolton as a team minister responsible for pastoral care.

“He continued to study in the area and eventually was able to train others in counselling and Holy Spirit ministry in the area of wholeness and healing.”

Gordon and Patricia had two other children — Claire and Alastair.

After his wife died in 2007, he married a close personal friend, Joyce — something Andy said gave him ‘many happy times’. He developed dementia three years ago and finally lost his battle with this and other conditions last Saturday — but not before he had seen his son follow in his footsteps and be ordained.

Andy said: “Recently, my dad started to say to me, ‘I am determined to stay alive for your ordination’, which used to bring me to tears.

“It was wonderful to have him at my ordination in June, seeing him fully engaged and being taken up for communion by my nephew was an immense privilege, for which I am very grateful.”

He added: “Dad’s condition deteriorated in the last month or two and we were all very grateful to have him home from hospital this last week. He was completely at peace.”

An indication of how many people were positively affected by Mr Harper during his life is shown by the huge number who have responded to a tribute post by his son on facebook.

Andy, who has three children with wife Emma, said: “I knew there would be a number of people who wanted to express their feeling about dad but it was very nice to see so many messages coming through.”

Mr Harper’s funeral will take place at Overdale Crematorium on Saturday, September 17 with family and friends invited to attend from 11am.

Anyone who knew Mr Harper is then invited to go to St Peter’s Church in Smithills from 2pm on the same day.