Soul-stirring and most impressive is the best description we can make of the national home-going celebration for Bishop Norris Nathaniel Dickenson. He was the General Father and President Emeritus of the United Holy Church Bermuda, Inc; founder of Warwick Holiness United Church Bermuda District; and the oldest Bishop of the United Church of America.Hundred joined family and friends in paying last respects at First Church of God, North Shore Road, Pembroke.They were led by a distinguished array of church and Government dignitaries. Among them were Bishop Elijah Williams, Presiding Bishop of the United Holy Church of America, Incorporated (UHCA); the Officiating Minister at the Service, Bishop Stephen Jones, who is President of the UHC Bermuda District; Host Pastor, Bishop Rev Vernon Lambe, Sr, MBE, JP, DD Premier, Hon. Paula Cox JP MP and Cabinet colleagues.Also Bishop Dennis Ball, Bishop of Missions, UHC; Elder Winston Kelly, Apostle Jimmie Denwiddie Sr JP, sons-in-law; Elder Jarius Landy, Pastor, District Elder; Bishop Kenneth O. Robinson, General Vice President, UHC; Bishop Dennis Ball, Bishop of Missions. UHC; Bishop Neville Smith, International Fellowship of Churches Pastor Radnor Road Christian Fellowship, Bishop Rev. Dr. Lloyd E. Duncan B.Sc., A.Bs. Administrative Bishop New Testament Church of God and Bishop Elijah Williams, Presiding Prelate, United Holy Church of America Inc.They along with leaders and clergy from other denominations, alternated with the spirited singing of hymns by the congregation and a Reunion Pentecostal Choir, in delivery of tributes in person and otherwise from ministerial colleagues, family and friends in Bermuda and from abroad.The tributes had a common thread, eulogising Bishop Dickenson as wise, inspiring, faithful man of God, who had ‘stayed the course.’Bishop Dickenson was in his 101st year when he passed away on January 10, 2012. Significantly, it was Christmas Eve, 86 years ago, or 1925 to be exact, when he and his brother Leonard sailed from their native St. Kitts to take up residence in Somerset, Bermuda. Leonard incidentally became an icon in the hospitality industry.Norris was the eldest of the six siblings all of whom predeceased him. Brothers Wilton, Stanley, Melvin and their only sister Althea grew up in Somerset, and were suave, challenging contemporaries of this writer at West End School, and afterwards.Norris’ ambition was to be a doctor or minister. But with the passing of his father he filled that void for his siblings by going to work at the Royal Naval Dockyard, qualifying as a machinist. Later in life the US Navy gave him an award for designing a part for a diesel engine during the 20 years he worked at the US Naval Operating Base.Two years after his migration to Bermuda, Bishop-to-be Dickenson surrendered his life to the Lord at a Pentecostal Revival meeting at Somerset Manchester Unity Hall. He became a member of Beulah Tabernacle of the United Holy Church of America. He worked in many areas of Beulah, from scrubbing floors in its old original wooden edifice to serving in other departments.In 1942 Bishop Dickerson transferred his membership at Beulah to Evangel Tabernacle Church in Flatts. He eventually became a licensed minister; Sunday School Superintendent; was ordained an Elder of UHC of Bermuda.On February 2, 1955 with 11 members he founded and organised the Warwick Holiness Church. In September that year they decided to purchase a plot of land at Khyber Pass, Warwick. They built their imposing edifice that on July 30, 1959 was dedicated to the glory of God by the late Bishop HH Hariston. Extensive modernising facilities including a nursery were later added.In 1941 Bishop Norris was united in marriage to Mildred L. Trott of Shelly Bay. Two daughters were born of this union, Marjorie Bernice and Maybelle Alice. Mildred passed away March 2, 1971. On December 30, 1971, he took as his second wife Beulah Temple Evangelist Miriam Bascome, (now Elder) Miriam Dickenson.