Belfast is a village located in southeastern Queens County. Situated on the
island's south shore along the Northumberland Strait, Belfast is predominantly
an agricultural area.
Drive through this community and view rolling hills and coastal scenery.
This community is noted for its history with the landing of Scottish
settlers.
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.
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. 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.
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 - the Lord Selkirk Provincial Park,
Orwell Corner Historic Village and Macphail Homestead in the area, as
well as a softball field beside the rink.
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.