Reunion Lodge in St Catharines
On Friday, Jan 24, I travelled down the 403 to St Catharines to participate in the amalgamation of three lodges that were prepared to form Reunion Lodge 103, and they were assisted in doing so by many Grand Lodge officers, who were treated to a sold-out Robert Burns Dinner beforehand. The three lodges in Niagara A amalgamating were Temple Lodge, Maple Lodge and St Andrews Lodge. The ceremony was solemn and short, in fact, and I was happy to see the many brethren cast their votes for the new slate of officers eagerly and begin their work together.
According to the District's website: Maple Leaf Lodge No. 103 owes its existence to the efforts of the brethren of St. George's Lodge No. 15, who sponsored its establishment with the purpose of promoting the expansion of Freemasonry in the Niagara area. As a result, Maple Leaf was instituted on July 28th, 1858. Among its Charter Members was a Brother James Seymour, who served as the first Junior Warden, and who was destined to rise to eminence in the Craft, eventually filling the office of Grand Master in 1871-72. Some of his fellow Charter Members were less successful, and either resigned or were suspended.
So well had the two "blue" lodges prospered in St, Catharines (St. George’s and Maple Leaf) that the W.M. and officers of St. George’s Lodge agreed to recommend the formation of a third lodge to be called "The Temple Lodge". As a result of this action, the first Minute Book of the new lodge has the following opening record: "The Regular meeting of Temple, U.D. held in the Masonic Hall, St Catharines on Wednesday, the 2nd day of April A.L. 5873 pursuant to summonses of W. Bro. L.S. Oille, W.M., U.D. The Worshipful Master at the appointed time read the Dispensation from the M.W.G.M. authorizing him to hold meeting; and having complied with all requirements the Lodge was opened at 8 O’clock P.M.
Finally, to complete the trio's history...
So reads the opening preamble in the lodge’s register book, upon which the lodge’s founding fathers based the formation of St. Andrew’s Lodge.
St. Andrew’s Lodge was formed from the St. Catharines and District Scottish Craftsmen’s Association, a composite body of Master Masons from the St. Catharines area, who made fraternal visits to various craft lodges, conferring degrees and performing installation ceremonies.
Following the end of World War II, Masonry saw a phenomenal increase in activity, with many lodges working at a feverish pace to accommodate the sudden increase in interest in Freemasonry , and to process the large number of applicants desiring to join the fraternity. The St. Catharines area was no exception. The established lodges were working at full capacity, and it soon became evident that a new lodge was needed in the district. But how would it evolve and develop?
At this time the St. Catharines and District Scottish Craftsmen’s Association, which had been formed in 1935, was similarly enjoying increased activity as a group. At a meeting of the executive, held at the home of R.W. Bro. J. Johnstone in 1947, discussions turned to the subject of the Scottish Craftsmen forming a lodge, or at least represent the nucleus for the formation of a new lodge in St. Catharines.
The seed had been sown, and it only remained for it to take root. By the next monthly meeting of the Scottish Craftsmen, they had reviewed the feasibility of establishing a new lodge and had decided to formally present the idea to the Scottish Craftsmen. Three brethren, Bros. J. Johnstone, A. Blaik and D. Donnelly, quickly gained converts to the idea of establishing a new lodge.
The matter of forming a new lodge was thoroughly explored, and the facts were submitted to R.W. Bro. E. G. Dixon, Grand Secretary, G. R. C. who after making certain inquires, approved and granted a dispensation.
The initial meeting of the charter members was held at the residence of V.W. Bro. James Thompson on January 10th, 1949. The purpose of the meeting was to organize the new lodge. R.W. Bro. J. Backus acted as chairman, while V. W. Bro. E. McLean acted as secretary.
So well had the two "blue" lodges prospered in St, Catharines (St. George’s and Maple Leaf) that the W.M. and officers of St. George’s Lodge agreed to recommend the formation of a third lodge to be called "The Temple Lodge". As a result of this action, the first Minute Book of the new lodge has the following opening record: "The Regular meeting of Temple, U.D. held in the Masonic Hall, St Catharines on Wednesday, the 2nd day of April A.L. 5873 pursuant to summonses of W. Bro. L.S. Oille, W.M., U.D. The Worshipful Master at the appointed time read the Dispensation from the M.W.G.M. authorizing him to hold meeting; and having complied with all requirements the Lodge was opened at 8 O’clock P.M.
Finally, to complete the trio's history...
So reads the opening preamble in the lodge’s register book, upon which the lodge’s founding fathers based the formation of St. Andrew’s Lodge.
St. Andrew’s Lodge was formed from the St. Catharines and District Scottish Craftsmen’s Association, a composite body of Master Masons from the St. Catharines area, who made fraternal visits to various craft lodges, conferring degrees and performing installation ceremonies.
Following the end of World War II, Masonry saw a phenomenal increase in activity, with many lodges working at a feverish pace to accommodate the sudden increase in interest in Freemasonry , and to process the large number of applicants desiring to join the fraternity. The St. Catharines area was no exception. The established lodges were working at full capacity, and it soon became evident that a new lodge was needed in the district. But how would it evolve and develop?
At this time the St. Catharines and District Scottish Craftsmen’s Association, which had been formed in 1935, was similarly enjoying increased activity as a group. At a meeting of the executive, held at the home of R.W. Bro. J. Johnstone in 1947, discussions turned to the subject of the Scottish Craftsmen forming a lodge, or at least represent the nucleus for the formation of a new lodge in St. Catharines.
The seed had been sown, and it only remained for it to take root. By the next monthly meeting of the Scottish Craftsmen, they had reviewed the feasibility of establishing a new lodge and had decided to formally present the idea to the Scottish Craftsmen. Three brethren, Bros. J. Johnstone, A. Blaik and D. Donnelly, quickly gained converts to the idea of establishing a new lodge.
The matter of forming a new lodge was thoroughly explored, and the facts were submitted to R.W. Bro. E. G. Dixon, Grand Secretary, G. R. C. who after making certain inquires, approved and granted a dispensation.
The initial meeting of the charter members was held at the residence of V.W. Bro. James Thompson on January 10th, 1949. The purpose of the meeting was to organize the new lodge. R.W. Bro. J. Backus acted as chairman, while V. W. Bro. E. McLean acted as secretary.
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