Agnes Street Presbyterian Church L.O.L. l953

In 1889 the first Christian Endeavour in Ireland was formed in Agnes Street Presbyterian Church by Miss Margaret Magill. Whilst unable to claim such an early inauguration it was fifty years later, in 1947, in the same church hall that a number of Old Boys of the 28th Boys Brigade Company met and decided to open an Orange Lodge taking the name of the church. A dormant warrant previously held by Mountjoy Lodge was taken in Belfast No. 3 District in Belfast Orange Hall, Clifton Street and Agnes Street Presbyterian Church L.O.L. 1953 opened with the late W.Bro. O.A.(Sandy) Stewart PM, a former captain of the 28th BE in the chair.

W.Bro. Richard Crothers PM PDM, whilst not a foundation member, joined shortly after the inception of the lodge and can therefore almost be regarded as one. He joined the lodge committee shortly after joining and has never been out of office since, still holding the position of lodge treasurer. He is a Past Master of No. 3 District L.O.L., present Assistant Secretary of the District and Deputy Grand Treasurer of Belfast County Grand Lodge.

Shortly after the inauguration of the lodge it was decided that a service to commemorate the birth of St. Patrick should be held, and each year since, a church parade has been held on the Sunday nearest to the 17th March to Agnes Street Presbyterian Church. Sadly the church was closed in 1971 due to re-development of the area and since then the annual service has been held in Nelson Memorial Presbyterian Church.

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