BRO SCOTT GOLIGHER LOL 461
That scriptural quotation, "The first shall be last and the last shall be first" Mark chapter 10 verse 31 could certainly apply to the Orangemen of the Bro. Scott Goligher Memorial Orange Lodge, one of the oldest warrants under the jurisdiction of the City of Londonderry Grand Orange Lodge but the last of local lodges to be formed.
The Early History
The Lodge Warrant was first issued in 1798, three years after the Battle of the Diamond in 1795, and was itself the year of the United Irishmen rebellion. It was operating in the Newtownstewart District of Co. Tyrone, James Eakins was Worshipful Master. In the Grand Lodge register of 1825/29 the warrant is still in Newtownstewart District with James Robb as W.M.
The 1856 register of warrants advises that the Lodge is now meeting in Omagh District, but no further information is given. In 1875 24 Brethren were returned and Andrew Hutchinson was W.M. The county Tyrone Grand Lodge report of 1886 indicates Joseph Hill as W.M. the address being Gortmore, Omagh and 11 Brethren of the Rolls. In 1892 the Lodge attended the 12th July in Omagh and Joseph Hill was still W.M.
After the half-yearly meeting of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland held in Dublin Orange Hall on Wednesday 5th December 1894 the County Tyrone Grand Lodge handed in Warrant No. 461 for cancellation, which was duly approved.
The Warrant next found its way to the City of Londonderry Grand Lodge working under Cumber Claudy No. 2 District having been renamed Tunduff and with Bro. James Simpson's being named on the Warrant. Little is known about the Tunduff Lodge except that it ceased to function during the 1940's
An old Warrant for a New Lodge
In the minutes of the City of Londonderry L.O.L. No. 5 District dated 25th October 1950 there was a request from eight Brethren to form a new Lodge. Title to be "Smythe Memorial, Ardmore". Permission was also sought for the new Lodge to join No. 5 District. It was reported to the District that there was a dormant Warrant being held by Cumber Claudy District. This Warrant no. 461 would now be sought for the new lodge.
The eight brethren who made the request were as follows: -
Bro. Wm. Molloy L.O.L. 816 Bro. Robert Bogle L.O.L. 1927
Bro. John W. Adams L.O.L. 2048 Bro. George McCurdy L.O.L. 1164
Bro. Thomas Patterson L.O.L. 2048 Bro. Robert Orr L.O.L. 858
Bro. John Neely L.O.L. 1060 Bro. Albert W. Leiction L.O.L. 816
It was also recorded that a pipe band had also been formed earlier by some of the same brethren.
On the 11th April 1951 the City of Londonderry Grand Secretary Bro. Robert Graham handed over to No. 5 District Warrant No. 461 and on Monday 14th May 1951 there was a special meeting of No. 5 District in Ardmore of the Purpose of Electing and Installing the Officers and handing over to the new W. M. the Warrant.
The first Officers of the Smythe Memorial Lodge were as follows:
W. M. Bro. Wm. Molloy 1st Comm. Bro. John Adams
D. M. Bro. Robt. McElhinney 2nd Comm. Bro. T. Patterson
Chap. Bro. Robt. Dunn 3rd Comm. Bro. A. Craig
Sec. Bro. Jas. Norris 4th Comm. Bro. Wm. Kee
Treas. Bro. Robt. Bogie 19 members on the roll.
It is interesting to note that Bro. Thomas Patterson P.M. a founding member is still active in the Lodge, participating occasionally as a Lecturer during the initiation of candidates.
A large number of brethren attended this inaugural meeting. They included Bro. F McIntyre, Grand Master City of Londonderry Grand Orange Lodge, Bro. R. Graham, City Grand Secretary, Bro. J.S. Manning, City Grand Treasurer, and Bro. R. Robinson, Treasurer Cumber Claudy District.
Bro. L. Dundas, District Secretary of No. 5 District handed over a new Minute and Roll Book & Bro. Richard Buchanan presented an inscribed Bible. The City of Londonderry No. 5 District at a cost of 12/6 also provided the first Lodge seal from the Derry Standard.
Prior to the 12th July 1952, No. 5 District decided to have L.O.L. 461 included on the District Bannerette and the first 12th attended by the Lodge was in Portrush in 1952. We also held our first Sunday service to Glendermott Presbyterian Church on the 25th May 1952.
A Sad Loss
During January 1972 the Lodge suffered a sad blow with the death of a dedicated and much admired member Bro. Scott Goligher. It was proposed and passed during the April 1972 meeting to rename the Lodge the Brother Scott Goligher Memorial Loyal Orange lodge. This was only after it had been discussed with his relatives.
A New Orange Hall
The Lodge met in numerous locations over the last number of years including Colonel Smythe's Hut, Ardmore, The Churchill Hall, Milltown, Glendermott Presbyterian Church Session room's but June 1974 saw the Lodge purchase the Faughan Bridge National School for £400 from Glendermott Presbyterian Church. On the 3rd May 1975 the Rt. Wor. Bro. Rev. W. Martin Smyth B.A., B.D., M.P., Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland in front of a large gathering of Orangemen & woman, bandsmen and supporters Officially Dedicated and opened the Brother Scott Goligher Memorial Orange Hall.
Since the above photo was taken the Bro. Scott Goligher Memorial Orange Hall has been demolished to make way for a road widening scheme. Currently the Lodge meets in the nearby Norris Memorial Hall at Fawney in Londonderry.
Raising a Standard unto the Lord
The first banner obtained by the Smythe memorial Lodge was a `Flag`, which belong to the old Tunduff LOL 461 Lodge. The brethren had it renamed and converted to a banner of the first 12th parade. Since then the Lodge has had a total of 5 banners and as part of our 50th birthday celebrations we unfurled a new banner.
50th Anniversary Celebrations
As part of our 50th Anniversary Celebrations in 2001 the members of the Lodge decided to Strike a Lodge Jewel. 50 Jewels were commissioned purchased mainly by members of the lodge, with a few going to collectors of Orange Memorabilia. The jewel incorporates the City of Londonderry's Coat of Arms within an Orange Five Pointed Star and two scrolls with the Lodges Name and Number. The ribbon is Orange with two Derry Crimson Stripes.
Quality Membership
Since L.O.L. 461's formation there has been a high degree of representation
on the District Lodge and three members have been installed as Worshipful
District Masters they were Bro. David Lynch 1966 to 1970, Bro.TM Craig 1978
to 1979 and Bro.James Hetherington 1994 to 1999, Bros. James Hetherington,
William Wray and David Allen have all served as City of Londonderry Grand
Orange Lodge Officers, Bro. Allen also had the opportunity to attend the
Imperial Orange Council of the World meeting in New Zealand in 1994.
Worshipful Master’s Roll
Wor. Bro. W. Molloy 1951 – 1954 Wor. Bro. J. Galbraith 1984 – 1986
Wor. Bro. R. McElhinney 1954 – 1956 Wor. Bro. J. Hetherington 1986 – 1988
Wor. Bro. D. Lynch 1956 – 1961 Wor. Bro. T. Hamilton 1988 - 1992
Wor. Bro. T. Patterson 1961 – 1965 Wor. Bro. W. Haire 1992 - 1994
Wor. Bro. I. Gillispie 1965 – 1967 Wor. Bro. J. Porter 1994 – 1996
Wor. Bro. J. Curry 1967 – 1968 Wor. Bro. D.C.S. Allen 1996 - 1998
Wor. Bro. J. Curley 1968 – 1973 Wor. Bro. R. Lynch 1998 - 2000
Wor. Bro. W. McKeegan 1973 – 1977 Wor. Bro. R. McClintock 2000 - 2002
Wor. Bro. N. Simpson 1977 – 1980 Wor. Bro. W.T. Wray 2002
Wor. Bro. T.M. Craig 1980 – 1984