CHURCH members have paid tribute to a popular and much-loved clergyman who has died.

Father Terry Murnane was vicar of St James’ Church Haslingden and St Thomas’ Musbury in Helmshore.

The father-of-four passed away at the weekend and had been ill following a stroke following in September last year.

In 2014, he was ordained as a priest at Blackburn Cathedral and prior to his ordination worked in the community sector as a project manager and also spent some time as a business executive.

Rt Rev. Julian Henderson, Bishop of Blackburn, described his death as 'really sad'.

He said:“The way that Terry and his family have managed themselves through the past very challenging eight months has been exemplary.

“For so strong a person with so much to give in terms of love, support and Christian witness, there is a very real sadness at what has happened, but at the same time we hold on to the hope of resurrection, knowing that Terry's faith in Jesus Christ was clear and sure.

"We give thanks to God for him and pray for his family to know peace and comfort in their sorrow."

Prior to his appointment at Haslingden and Musbury, Terry served his curacy at St Andrew’s, St Mary Magdalen’s and St Peter’s Churches in Accrington

He was one of the driving forces behind the creation of the first of 50 new congregations to be ‘planted’ as part of Vision 2026, which was based at St Nicholas’ Church of England Primary School in Accrington.

Terry also called on his previous interfaith experience, supporting the Bishop of Burnley, Rt Rev. Philip North, on various initiatives such as when an invitation was extended at Easter 2016 to Muslim leaders for discussions at Bishop Philip’s home in Burnley.

Bishop Philip said he was a 'wonderful priest and a fantastic friend who will be missed beyond words.'

He said: “It was a complete privilege to serve Terry as his Bishop and I felt he ministered to me almost as much as I ministered to him.

"We rejoice now that his huge voice can be employed once again to sing the praises of the Risen Saviour in whom he placed such total and complete trust. He was a wonderful priest and a fantastic friend.

"He will be missed beyond words.”

Terry leaves behind his wife wife Cheryl and children Caitlin, 22, Kieran, 19, Lucy, 11 and Jayden 2.

Details of Terry's funeral will be announced in due course.