About Us
The Orange Order is a multi-cultural world wide Protestant fraternity that exists to protect and promote the Reformed Faith whilst upholding the memory of King William III of Great Britain. Prince William of Orange, (later to become King William III) fought for the deliverance of the people of the British Isles from tyrannical oppression imposed by the Roman Catholic Church through previous Roman Catholic Monarchs of Britain. King William III instigated the Glorious Revolution that brought about a fairer society and that we as Orange Men and Orange Women hold dear.
The Orange Order has a world wide membership attracting members from different ethnic backgrounds who share the same beliefs and principles. Orange Lodges exist around; England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Togo, Ghana, Nigeria, Canada and the USA.
The first ever 'Orange Association' was formed in Torbay in 1688, just before the landing of Prince William of Orange. Many local and informal Orange groups existed around the British Isles throughout the 18th Century. The Orange Order was formed in Manchester in 1801, and was reformed in the 1850's from a number of different Orange organisations. The Orange Order as we know it today in England was formed in 1876 by the amalgamation of The Grand Protestant Association of Loyal Orangemen of England and the Orange Institution of Great Britain, and the Organisation has held Orange Parades in local cities and towns for over 200 years. The Orange Institution in Manchester is one of the oldest organisations to be in constant existence in Manchester - testament to the timeless principles that we stand for.
Orangeism in Manchester
Members of the Orange Order in Manchester are proud of the wealth and extent of Orange Order heritage in the local area, including Manchester city, Lancashire and Cheshire. We have strong links to local Army regiments including the Lancashire Fusiliers and the old Manchester and Salford Volunteer regiments. Manchester Orange Lodges have had members from all social backgrounds including dozens of clergy from Church of England, Presbyterian and Methodist churches as well as MP's, local councilors and trade union members.
The Orange Institution is apolitical, which means that our membership is made up of people with differing political views and opinions - the constant binding factors being our Reformed Christian Faith and loyalty for Queen and Country. It is common for Orange Lodges in Manchester to agree and demonstrate against wrongs in society. A recent example was The Orange Order protest against the planned repeal of The Act of Settlement in 2010 by the Labour Party.
The Orange Order in Manchester is a primarily a positive Christian organisation that promotes the Reformed Faith and the Protestant history and loyal cultural heritage of Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Lancashire. We will often protest against aspects of political policy or social inclusion that will have a detrimental effect on Protestant people in the British Isles and world wide.
Many Orange Halls used to exist in years gone by around Manchester, including John Dalton Street in Central Manchester, Stalybridge, Blackburn and Preston. We are now working once again towards having our own Orange Hall in Manchester. Members of the Orange Order in Manchester meet in Lodges on a monthly basis in local Church halls and private clubs.
Orange lodge meetings are largely conducted in the same way that they have been for over 200 years and involves following a set formal structure. Orange lodge meetings offer members the opportunity to regularly meet with other 'Brothers' or 'Sisters' and are an important part of being in the Orange Institution. Lodge meetings are particularly important for elderly members who can often be house bound at other times. Whilst Lodge meetings are very important for younger members to learn more about the Orange Institution and develop their own knowledge from older experienced learned members. The Orange Order is a fraternal organisation which means that members will support one another at all times. Most individual Lodges belong to Districts and Districts are part of a Province. Orange Provinces are responsible to the Grand Lodge of England
Our aim is to foster a better understanding of the Orange Institution by means of interacting with all sections of the community and actively encouraging contact with those who would like to find out more about the Orange Institution and it's aims and objectives.
People are often surprised to learn that Manchester Free Trade Hall hosted many Orange Order demonstrations throughout the 19th and early 20th Centuries and to find out that Manchester Orange Parades often included thousands of Orangemen and local Brass and Fife and Drum marching bands, congregating on Portland Street and walking 5 miles each way to Heaton Park in North Manchester.
Local Orange Lodges in and around Manchester
There is an Orange Order parade through central Manchester each September.
We are more than happy to forward membership enquiries to Lodges in all areas of the country.
Central Manchester
Loyal Orange Lodge 184, Robert Jocelyn (3rd Earl of Roden) Memorial (adult male Orange lodge)
Meet on the third Sunday each month in Manchester City Centre.
Stockport
Loyal Orange Lodge 155, No Surrender (adult male Orange lodge)
Meet on the fourth Thursday each month in Stockport.
This section is currently being updated. Please check back soon.
Map of Past and Present Orange Lodges in the Greater Manchester area