The Col. John Butler Branch of the United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada can trace its origins as far back as 1898, when Captain John D. Servos organized a branch in Virgil, which was an early settlement in the Niagara area.
This Branch did not succeed, and in 1905 another attempt was made, but this became inactive as a result of the Great War of 1914 - 1918.
In 1914, the United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada was incorporated by an Act of Parliament.
In 1921 the St. Catharines and District Branch was formed, and it has remained active. In 1992, the Branch petitioned the Dominion Council to change the name to the Colonel John Butler (Niagara) Branch, to honour this distinguished Niagara Loyalist.
The Colonel John Butler (Niagara) Branch currently has approximately 240 members,and serves the Niagara Peninsula, with the western boundary a north - south line between Grimsby and Dunnville, and the eastern boundary the Niagara River, the north boundary Lake Ontario, and the south boundary Lake Erie.
It is currently the largest Branch in the United Empire Loyalists Association of Canada.Some activities of the branch have been:
1934 - arranging for a Loyalist memorial to commemorate the 150 anniversary of the Loyalist settlement of Niagara. A boulder that originally marked the half way point on the Niagara River between Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Fort Erie was moved to a park in down-town St. Catharines and designated Memorial Park. This monument is still there today, and in 2002 the Branch purchased a flag pole, which proudly flies the Loyalist Flag over the monument.
1993 - The Branch was co-host with the Hamilton Branch to host the Association Annual Conference held at McMaster University at Hamilton, Ontario.
1996 - Organized the Butler Bicentenary, a commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the death of Colonel John Butler. The bicentenary consisted of a history conference focussing on the life and times of Colonel Butler, a Memorial Dinner, hosted by the Lincoln and Welland Regiment, and concluded with a Drum Head Memorial Service at the Butler Burial Ground, followed by a Parade of period reenactors portraying Butler's Rangers, and the KRRNY. The Parade wound through the streets of Niagara-on the-Lake to the historic Court House, where the Butler's Rangers were presented the Freedom of the Town, before moving off to Fort George for the concluding ceremonies.
In 2000 the Col. John Butler Branch hosted the Annual Conference for the Association. Events included tours of Niagara Historical sites, a visit by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario at the Loyal Banquet, the Association Annual meeting, and a Sunday Church parade.
MEETINGS: Monthly Membership Meetings are usually the First Saturday of the month. The meetings begin with lunch at Betty's Restaurant in Chippawa at 12:00 noon. We have a interesting speaker, with a topic of interest to the members. The December Meeting is the Annual Meeting.
Our meetings are open to anyone interested. If you would like to attend our meetings please E-mail us.
GENEALOGICAL ASSISTANCE: Niagara Peninsula residents who wish to join the Society, and work towards getting a UEL Certificate should contact the Branch Genealogist Rodney Craig
by email or 289-820-7047. He will arrange to meet with the member to discuss their Loyalist research and assist with the completion of the application forms.
Residents from outside the local area may contact him at the email address.