The Boys' Brigade is an international non-denominational uniformed Christian youth organisation. 1st Kilrea Company is part of the Coleraine & District Battalion of the Northern Ireland District which itself is a district of the Boys' Brigade United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.Object
The Object of the Boys' Brigade is the advancement of Christ's Kingdom among boys and the promotion of habits of Obedience, Reverence, Discipline, Self-Respect and all that tends towards a true Christian manliness.Emblem & Motto
Our emblem is an anchor placed over a Greek Cross with the motto "Sure and Steadfast". Both the symbol and motto come from Hebrews, Chapter 6, Verse 19: 'Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast'.History
The first Boys' Brigade company was set up by Sir (then still Mr.) William Alexander Smith on 4 October 1883 at Free Church Mission Hall, North Woodside Road, Glasgow, Scotland to develop 'Christian manliness' by the use of a semi-military discipline and order, gymnastics, summer camps and religious services and classes.In the years following the establishment of the 1st Glasgow company, others were rapidly formed throughout Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom leading to a movement comprising thousands of boys: in the early 20th century there were about 2200 companies connected with different churches throughout the United Kingdom, the British empire and the United States, with 10,000 officers and 100,000 boys. Each company is normally connected to a Battalion encompassing several nearby companies, which in turn are organised at a district and then national level.
