Installation & Dedication

The Lodge was installed on Friday 29th March 1968 at the very time when Ulster was entering in to its current phase of "The Troubles".

The minutes of that meeting make interesting reading, it will be noted that the then Grand Master of Ireland presided over the meeting and that apologies for non attendance we received from a number of people, including the then Prime Minster of Northern Ireland, Capt Terence O'Neill.

Dedication Service at Saul Parish Church

The photograph reproduced below left shows the newly formed lodge parading to Saul Parish Church, note that the banner and the colours are furled prior to the dedication service.

An impressive but essentially simple ceremony marked the unfurling and dedication of Colours of a new Orange Lodge in St. Patrick's Memorial Church, Saul, Co. Down, last night.

The new lodge is the Cross of St. Patrick LOL 688 and its name is intended to emphasise both historical and religious backgrounds.

The Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev. Dr. RCH Elliott, Grand Chaplain, complimented the new lodge on its name and said, "You cannot find any of the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church in St. Patricks writings. There is nothing about indulgences, relics, the worship of the Blessed Virgin or about Papal infallibility". The service was conducted by the Rev. JA Donnelly, Rector and Deputy Chaplain of County Down Grand Orange Lodge, and began with the hymn 'St Patrick's Breastplate'.

Maj FRA Hynds MC DGMI presented a Bible to the Church on behalf of the new lodge and the reading from the Scriptures was by the Worshipful Master, Mr. T Lindsay Smyth.

The Officers and members of LOL 688 received their insignia from Mr John Bryans, Grand Master of Ireland. The unfurling of the Colours was performed by Mr WAM Willons, Eldon LOL and Deputy Master of Lodge of Research LOL 1904.

The distinguished congregation included Mr Brian Faulkner, Minister of Commerce, Mr Ivan Neil, former Minister of Finance, Mr Walter Williams, Imperial Grand Secretary and Mr Robert Webb, Grand Secretary of Co Down Grand Orange Lodge.