However, the outcome is far from certain, with leading clerics in the Church indicating that the result remains unpredictable.

The Deputy Moderator, the Rev Ron Johnston told the Belfast Telegraph: " There is no canvassing beforehand, and the decision is up to those at the meeting. It is not possible at this stage to predict the outcome."

Asked if he himself would take on the Moderatorship he said: "That's entirely a matter for the members."

Another Free Presbyterian cleric confirmed that the outcome of tonight's meeting is uncertain and claimed that the election is "up for grabs."

Dr Paisley, who founded the church in 1951, and who has remained Moderator for some 57 years, announced at a meeting in September that he was stepping down in the New Year.

Prior to the meeting, a small number of demonstrators with placards met outside the Free Presbyterian Church in an unprecedented show of public opposition to their Moderator.

Dr Paisley and other leading Church members remained tight-lipped about the details of the September meeting, but it is believed that the Moderator decided to stand down rather than force a vote by the membership which would have reflected the division of opinion about his political leadership in recent times. It is believed that some members objected to Dr Paisley's decision, with his DUP colleagues, to share power with Sinn Fein and that he is now paying that price.

One of his most vocal critics is the Rev Ivan Foster, a senior Free Presbyterian who has worked closely with Mr Paisley in the past. Mr Foster has taken issue publicly with the Moderator on his willingness to share power with Sinn Fein.

However, there are others, while wary of recent political developments, who still place their trust in the judgment of Mr Paisley, who is one of the longest-serving Church leaders in the world.

It is thought unlikely that the Rev Foster will succeed Dr Paisley, but it is believed that the Rev Johnston, Deputy Moderator for the past 18 months, may win overall approval.

Another name being mentioned is that of the Rev David McIveen, who is well-known to a wider audience because of his media comments.

Unlike the Free Presbyterians, who have elected Dr Paisley each time for more than 50 years, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland elects a different Moderator annually. This election takes place next month to find a successor to the Rt Rev Dr John Finlay.