Belfast, Prince Edward Island

Belfast (2001 pop.: 1,839) is a Canadian village located in southeastern Queens County, Prince Edward Island in the township of Lot 57.

Situated on the island's south shore along the Northumberland Strait, Belfast is predominantly an agricultural area.

History

Belfast was the landing site of Lord Selkirk's settlers in 1803. These poor displaced Scottish farmers soon established themselves on the best land in the area and it became one of the most productive farming districts in the colony.

The Presbyterian Scots were joined in the mid-1800s by displaced Irish potato famine refugees who were forced to take poorer land in surrounding areas. Political, social and economic tensions between the Roman Catholic Irish and Presbyterian Scots boiled over during a general election in March, 1847, resulting in what has become known as the Belfast Riot.

Belfast today

Today, Belfast is known for its golf course (the "Belfast Highland Greens"), Mini Woolen Mills, and many art studios and pottery shops. Also of interest is the lighthouse at nearby Point Prim, which was built in 1845 and is the oldest lighthouse on the Island. It is also the only round lighthouse on PEI and only brick lighthouse in Canada.

Of particular note is the local parish church, St. John's. [ [http://www.belfastchurch.ca St. John's Church] ] Built in 1824 in the style of Sir Christopher Wren, Saint John's is today under the pastoral care of Rev. Roger W.MacPhee. In 2005, the church invited Robin Mark, a popular Christian musician from Belfast, Northern Ireland, to lead their "Emerging Church Conference."The E.C.C. was such a success that Mr. Mark returned in 2006 for "Revival in Belfast II" and is scheduled to be back in 2007 along with Pastor Paul Reid. Saint John's has the largest Presbyterian sunday school east of Montreal.

In addition to Saint John's, Belfast is home to two other churches, namely, Saint Michael's Roman Catholic, and Wood Islands Presbyterian. Many residents of the community attend worship services in Charlottetown or Montague.

Amenities

Belfasts major recreational component to their community include, Belfast Rec Center which includes one ice surface a community room, a canteen & skate sharpening, Belfast Highland Greens a 9-hole golf course, Belfast Community Pool which includes two outdoor pools, a kiddy pool and canteen services. A campground - Lord Selkirk Provincial Park, as well as a softball field beside the rink.

Economy

One of the region's major employers is Northumberland Ferries, which operates a terminal in Wood Islands. This ferry service, which connects Prince Edward Island to Caribou, Nova Scotia, was first established in 1941. Two ferryboats, the M.V."Confederation" and M.V."Holiday Island", currently service the route.

Education

Students in the area attend Belfast Consolidated School. From grade 10 through grade 12, they attend Montague Regional High School. Both schools are administered by P.E.I.'s Eastern School District.

Notable residents

Notable "Belfasters" include former P.E.I. premier John Angus MacLean (d. 2000), and Alan Buchanan, the former provincial Minister for Health, and current registrar at the University of Prince Edward Island. Belfast is also home to P.E.I. Poet Laureate David Helwig as well as pop culture icons John MacPhee, Rob MacPhee, and Colin Buchanan, who, along with David Cyrus MacDonald of Montague, form the popular, East Coast Music Award-winning pop/rock group known as Paper Lions.

Communities

The Community of Belfast was incorporated in 1972 and contains the following localities or settlements:

* Belfast
* Melville
* Iona
* Culloden
* Eldon
* Flat River
* Fodhla
* Garfield
* Lower Newtown
* Mount Buchanan
* Mount Vernon
* Pinette
* Roseberry
* Valley
* Surrey
* Belle River
* Wood Islands

References