Fonds AFC96 - Ladies Orange Benevolent Association Crystal Chapter #28 fonds

The Orange Order is a Protestant Christian fraternal organization, formed in Ireland in 1795 in honour of William of Orange's 1690 victory at the Battle of the Boyne. The Grand Lodge of British North America was founded in Brockville, Ontario in 1830, although there is evidence that Orangemen were active in Canada during the War of 1812.

According to the constitution of Canada's Loyal Orange Association, an applicant must be an observant Protestant Christian and be loyal to Queen and country. Members are called to be kind to others and to assist in benevolent activities within the community.

In Canada, lodges are organized within individual communities, with local district lodges, county lodges, and regional lodges forming a link to the Grand Lodge of British North America. Members of the Loyal Orange Association often strive to rise in the Biblically-based Degree system, from Orange Degree (initiation) to Blue Degree, Royal Arch Purple Degree, and Scarlet Degree. Degrees are conferred after application and advanced study. Members of the Orange Order celebrate the Battle of the Boyne every July 12, often marching in parades and playing in bands.

The Ladies Orange Benevolent Association is a Protestant Christian women's organization, affiliated with the Orange Association. According to the Grand Orange Lodge of Canada, the Ladies Orange Benevolent Association was founded in 1894 to give women an opportunity to advance the principles of the Orange Order and to contribute toward community charity.

The Crystal Chapter of the Ladies Orange Benevolent Association is a Protestant Christian women's organization, affiliated with the Orange Association. According to the Grand Orange Lodge of Canada, Crystal Chapters of the Ladies Orange Benevolent Association admit ladies in good standing from a regular L.O.B.A. chapter. Members seek a greater understanding of the aims and objectives of the Ladies Orange Benevolent Association. Members perform charitable acts in the community and refer to themselves as “preceptresses.”
Ladies Orange Benevolent Association Crystal Chapter #28 was instituted on October 9, 1948 at the Oddfellows Hall in Woodstock, Ontario. Membership included women from the Ladies Orange Benevolent Association branches #513 (Woodstock) and #538 (Ingersoll). Meetings were moved to the new Orange Lodge rooms on Dundas Street, Woodstock in November, 1949 and then to the Orange Hall on Canterbury Street, Woodstock in February, 1957.

The inaugural officers were:
Winnifred Hartsell - Senior Preceptress
Dorothy Sackville - Junior Preceptress
E. Heron - Registrar
C. Webb - Treasurer