A CHURCH minister who ran a church in Old Town for more than 20 years has died.

David Clarke - known as Pastor Clarke and minister at the Assemblies of God Church in King William Street, Old Town, for more than two decades - died on January 26, aged 89.

He had become involved in the church at the age of 19 and went on to become a minister, first in Newton Abbott in Devon and then the King William Street Church. He was also involved in the setting up of an Assemblies of God Outreach Church in Wroughton where he lived.

Stephen Clarke, 59, one of Mr Clarke's five children who lives in Swindon, said his father would be much missed in the town.

He said: "He was a wonderful man who did a great deal for the community and built the Assemblies of God Church up during his time here. Everyone knew him as Pastor Clarke, even after his retirement they still called him that. He was well respected and worked hard. We will certainly miss him terribly."

Mr Clarke was married to wife Lillian. The couple had 17 grandchildren and 20 great- grandchildren.

They first met in Wales in the church and decided to marry on Christmas Eve just before the move to Newton Abbott, but they were not able to spend Christmas together, waiting until the New Year before they see could each other again in the Devon town.

The Christmas Eve marriage was a tradition for Lillian's family - her parents had married that day 25 years before, and her grandparents 52 years before that.

Mr Clarke was a conscientious objector and did not fight in the Second World War.

His funeral took place last Friday and donations were made to the Prospect Hospice and the Salvation Army at Davis House - causes which are close to the family.

"The funeral service was wonderful," said Steve.

"We decided to hold it in the Old Town church, it is only a small place but there were 120 people in there who had come from all over the country. It really was standing room only, but it was wonderful to see so many people turn up to remember him,"

Running the church now is Pastor Malcolm Macqueen, who took over in 2003. The church celebrated its 70th anniversary in October 2004.