Hawkesbury Lodge 450 in Vankleek Hill

The GJW and I arrived in Vankleek Hill a wee bit early for our visit to Hawkesbury Lodge 450 and thus had time in the morning to visit Beau's Brewery - the home of Lugtread Beer. Situated above the library in this quaint town, finding the address was not a problem, yet finding the entrance to the lodge seemed quite a task, until the librarian showed up for work and let us know it was simply through the front door and up the stairs. When we arrived, the brethren had concluded their GP meeting and welcomed us with open arms, and proceeded to invite us to open lodge and join in the traditional odes to be sung, and upon being given the requisite paperwork were happy to do so. The odes were accompanied by the organist who was also the church organist and has been for 55 years.
Located in Eastern District, this is a lodge steeped in history, from its beginnings to their chairs and the WM's pedestal, and the various documents and pictures on the walls. It was a great meeting and we truly enjoyed the passion and commitment of the brethren who regaled us with many worthy stories, and supplied a hearty meal afterward before bidding us adieu, and then heading back home - via a snowstorm that was passing through and had deterred several notable members from joining us.

According to their website, Hawkesbury Lodge No. 210, Grand Lodge of Ireland (which preceded Hawkesbury Lodge No. 450) was formed in 1869 after a division in St. John’s Lodge No. 159.

St. John’s Lodge No. 159 would eventually become St. John’s No. 21A after giving up it’s Irish Warrant. It is believed that Hawkesbury Lodge No. 210 held their meetings in the Ross’ Creek area of West Hawkesbury. This Lodge surrendered its Charter to the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario in 1888 and Hawkesbury Lodge No. 450 was instituted on Thursday, May 16th, 1901.

The Grand Master who signed the Charter in 1902 was John Ellery Harding of Lindsay, Ontario.

In 1902 an offer was received from the Catholic Order of Foresters to rent the lodge the second story of a hall they were building on Regent Street. This offer was accepted and the new lodge rooms were consecrated on January 9th, 1903. This agreeable arrangement continued beyond 1912. Records, however, between 1913 and 1923 are lost. In 1923 the lodge was renting rooms above Lighthall’s Garage on McGill Street. June 17th, 1965 saw the last meeting held at this location and in September of 1965 Hawkesbury Lodge held their first meeting above the Bank of Nova Scotia in Vankleek Hill. This arrangement has continued till the present time.

Hawkesbury Lodge celebrated it’s 100th Anniversary October 27th , 2001 and continues to support community endeavours and institutions in an expression of Masonic Principals.

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