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Churchmen and politicians alike have condemned the attack over the weekend on the Robert L Mitchell Memorial Hall on Newry's Downshire Road.
The incident took place on Friday night/ Saturday morning.
Paint was thrown at the building and roof tiles were removed in what's thought was an attempt to set it on fire using newspapers. Fire damage was limited to a concrete floor.
District Master Jonathan Wharton said “This was a blatant sectarian attack and those who carried out the wicked deed, under the cover of darkness, should be ashamed of their actions,” he said.
“Not content with their wanton vandalism, they clearly desired to reduce this long established and historic building to nothing but rubble and ruin – fortunately, they did not succeed.
“If the culprits cared to look beyond their narrow-minded sectarian actions, they might realise that this district hall is actually used by a wide selection of community groups. Indeed, it was those attending the weekly credit union who raised the alarm.”
Mr Wharton said he hoped the hall’s location, so close to the city centre, would aid the subsequent police investigation.
He concluded: “Newry District would appeal to any members of the public who witnessed anything suspicious in the area to contact the PSNI immediately.”
Bishop of Down and Dromore Rev Harold Miller added ‘It is both disappointing and depressing to hear of the mindless attack on an Orange Hall close to the centre of Newry city in the early hours of Saturday.
Overall, relations in Newry have been growing and developing in a positive way and such actions are entirely inappropriate. Northern Ireland must be a place in which all cultures are respected and especially so in areas where one community is a minority.
My thoughts and prayers are with those for whom this hall is an important place in their lives and I am greatly encouraged to hear many stories of how Orange halls are being used to bless the wider community in which they are placed.’
Danny Kennedy MLA said "This is a despicable attack on Newry Orange Hall. It is extremely fortunate that the Hall wasn't reduced to a shell.
"Those who carried out this attack are narrow minded bigots who only offer the people of Newry a sectarian cul de sac. This was a hate crime inflicted against the local Orange community, and I am glad it did not succeed. The IRA tried and failed to drive the Protestant community out of Newry and its environs, and so will these morons.
"With the attacks occurring so close to the heart of Newry City Centre, I would appeal to the anyone in the community with evidence or saw anything suspicious, to come forward to the PSNI. The faster that these mindless thugs are removed from the streets, the better it will be for all the people of Newry."
David Taylor, Deputy Mayor, Newry and Mourne District Council also added "The perpetrators of the attack have little or nothing to offer to any civilised society.
"Newry Orange District had always strived to promote good relations in the local area. It is extremely depressing that sinister elements remain who are determined to intimidate the minority Protestant community and remove any vesture of Unionist Culture from within the city.
"It is extremely fortunate that only minor damage was caused to the hall despite the obvious determination of the mindless sectarian thugs to destroy the building.
"Anyone with information on the attack should contact the Police and help with their investigation."
