Year approved: 1887
Located in East Belfast, off Albertbridge Road near the Short Strand.
Application of R. J. McConnell & Co. for new streets on their property off Albertbridge Road and Roundhill Street to be named Chamberlain Street, Montrose Street, Vicarage Street, and Melrose Street was considered by the Town Improvement Committee on 19 October 1887. The first three were approved, but McConnell was asked to suggest an alternative in place of Melrose Street.
Vicarage Street took its name from the nearby vicarage of Ballymacarrett Church of Ireland, a prominent parish presence on Albertbridge Road. The 1884 Belfast and Province of Ulster Directory lists Rev. Thomas W. Roe as vicar, while the 1899 edition names Rev. G. G. Mervyn, with his residence given simply as The Vicarage, Albertbridge Road. The choice of name reflected the influence of the local parish and lent a note of stability and respectability to McConnell’s new development, balancing the political and aristocratic associations of Chamberlain Street and Montrose Street.
Sources:
Belfast Town Improvement Committee minutes, 19 October 1887
Belfast and Province of Ulster Directory, 1884 (Rev. Thomas W. Roe, Vicar, Ballymacarrett Church of Ireland)
Belfast and Province of Ulster Directory, 1899 (Rev. G. G. Mervyn, Rector, The Vicarage, Albertbridge Road)