Universe Lodge in Toronto

The GJW, RWBro Mark Kapitan, joined me on this evening, Wednesday Feb 5, for the annual Official Visit of RWBro Gil Carreiro, DDGM Toronto East, at Universe Lodge held in the York Masonic Temple. The brethren of Acacia Lodge provided an excellent young candidate who was passed to the FC degree.
Accacia Lodge helped to form The Beaches Lodge in 1905, and has a long history: "A preliminary meeting was held on March 31st, 1892, to discuss the formation of another Masonic Lodge in East Toronto. It was comprised of members from Orient Lodge #399. In attendance were Brothers J.P. McMaster, J. Mitchell, W.R. Walters, John Richardson, John Parsell, G. Milne, D. Maginn, W. Brown and S. Newland. In order to proceed, dispensation was requested of, and granted by, the surrounding Lodges and the G.M. John Ross Robertson on May 5th, 1892.

Bro. William Bowman loaned $200 for Hall Furnishings and a meeting place was secured through Bro. D.G. Stephenson, at Kingston Road and Main Street. The name ACACIA was chosen and the new lodge was constituted on June 12th, 1892, and formally opened on June 27th, 1892. R. W. Bro. T.H. Branton, D.D.G.M. officiated. The officers and members of Orient Lodge No. 339 were present to honour the occasion.

On Friday, July 15th, 1892, the G.M. J. Ross Robertson visited the Lodge. He delivered a well received lecture on the history of the Craft. On Monday, July 18th, 1892, the very first petition for membership was received from Mr. Alex Matthews, he was subsequently initiated on Monday, November 21st, 1892. On this occasion Bro. William Brown presented the Lodge with a volume of the Sacred Law.

In early February 1893, the Lodge furnishings were sold, and with the proceeds along with additional funds totalling $365 the hall was refurnished and made eminently more comfortable.

For some years after being constituted Acacia Lodge grew and prospered. Its members played an important part in the development and early history of East Toronto."

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