Portstewart Presbyterian Church is mourning the loss of a much-loved elder this week. Noel Lyttle was ordained as an elder on the 28th of February 1982, 44 years of faithful service. Noel was very much at the centre of church life. He served not only as an elder, but as Sunday School Superintendent as well as various committees and panels within the church, most recently as chairman of the Events Committee.
Noel epitomised a life of service, a committee was not simply a talking shop, it was an invitation to roll up your sleeves and get involved in the practical side of whatever needed to be done.
Noel took his duties as an elder incredibly seriously, he regularly visited his district, he knew the people and the families he had pastoral responsibility for. He cared for them, but he also encouraged those whose attendance at church had slipped to think about coming back. It was always Noel’s heart that all who should be coming to church, actually come.
Noel loved children, a teacher by profession and well known in the town as a former headmaster of Portstewart Primary School, Noel always strived for children to not only fulfil their potential, but to be given every opportunity in life to sample new things. He introduced school orchestras and sports clubs. These weren’t just for especially gifted children; he welcomed all abilities and would spend time and effort to see youngsters improve at whatever they were doing.
Noel was a man of faith; his custom was to kneel at his bedside every evening and thank his Lord and Saviour. He was incredibly faithful at worship Sunday by Sunday. He was a regular at the Prayer and Praise service, praying for the work and life of the church, especially when that involved children.
Noel was an innovator, he tried new things, especially in helping children. He sewed sweets into his suit jacket to encourage a children’s choir to smile while singing. He brought magicians to school to create a sense of wonder and awe in kids.
Noel had a passion for global mission. He organised global mission slots to highlight the work of PCI global mission workers in church, he was delighted to be part of a multi church team teaching English to asylum seekers in the town, always taking an interest in their stories. When he was the congregational representative elder at the General Assembly, he never missed the listening to the global church presentation.
Noel was a family man. His family was his priority, he loved having them all round him, he loved the laughter and the banter.
On a personal note, Noel was more than an elder. He was a source of wisdom, a man who would give me his honest opinion but never fell out with me. He was an encourager, regularly taking time to ask if I was happy with how a meeting had gone, or with what we were doing as a church. He would take time out to call with me just to give a word of encouragement. I will miss him.
There is so much more that could be said about Noel, his love of music, football, his sense of adventure, his sense of humour.
Noel’s funeral will be on Sunday 8th February 2026 at 1 pm in Portstewart Presbyterian Church.
Please note if you are planning to attend Noel’s funeral the convention carpark is free on a Sunday and within easy walking distance to the church.
Long service honoured at Coleraine FC – Click to read more.