St Matthew’s parishioner Agnes celebrates her 100th birthday!
Agnes Patterson on her 100th birthday on April 1 2025 with her rector, the Rev Canon Tracey McRoberts and Bishop George Davison.
Many congratulations to Agnes Patterson, a parishioner of St Matthew’s Parish Church, Belfast, who celebrates her 100th birthday today (April 1)! See more pictures below.
Agnes grew up in the Shankill and still lives independently in the area. She spent the day welcoming family and friends to her home, including the Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev George Davison, and her rector, the Rev Canon Tracey McRoberts MBE.
They chatted to Agnes about her life and her memories, including her experiences working in various local spinning mills and her love of singing.
Agnes, who was a weekly visitor to church prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, told Bishop George how she enjoys her fortnightly visits to the seniors’ club at St Michael’s Parish Church.
“It is very good,” she said. “I get my lunch there and it gets me out and about.”
Agnes said she loves to sing and was always up for a song in local clubs on a Saturday night – heading out every weekend before the pandemic. She gave an impromptu song at a daffodil tea celebrating St Matthew’s 150th anniversary in 2022, when she was aged just 97!
Agnes married her first husband Jimmy Owens when she was 21, and they had a daughter Gretta. Sadly Jimmy, who was also a singer, died at the age of 51. Agnes later married Alec Patterson, but has been a widow for 23 years. She now has no less than 13 great grandchildren, whose ages range from 1-27.
She recalled working barefoot in the spinning mill. “We wore a big apron and a belt with our tools hanging down. They were happy days, Protestants and Catholics all worked together. I loved it. It was a nice crowd and I made good friends,” she said, smiling at the memories.
As to her thoughts on turning 100, Agnes says she doesn’t feel any different. She puts her robust health down to good food over the decades. “There were seven of us and my mother always made sure we had a good dinner and ate plenty,” Agnes said.
Agnes moved into her own flat in a sheltered residential complex around 15 years ago and has many friends among her neighbours and her parish. “The best thing that happened to me was getting in here,” she said of her home.
Bishop George and Canon Tracey were accompanied by St Matthew’s parishioner Jacqueline Weir MBE, who presented Agnes with a beautiful bunch of flowers on behalf of the church. As well as the cards from Bishop and St Matthew’s, Agnes was also delighted to receive cards from His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Belfast and, of course, King Charles and Queen Camilla.
That she is so well loved was evidenced in the number of birthday cards lining her mantlepiece and the abundance of flowers gracing her home.
Happy birthday Agnes!
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