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ONE HUNDRED YEARS 1870-1970
On April 29th, 1870, M.W. Pro. A. A. Stevenson, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario, granted a Dispensation to organize the "Lodge of Fidelity" on the petition of the following brethren:- Daniel S. Eastwood, Henry Michaels, George L. Orme, Gustav Levin, Henry Gough, A. H. Matthewman, George Crain, Chester A. Crosby, James Egleson, William Young, George M. Rose, J. H. P. Gibson, Edmund Miles, D. P. Williams and William Rea. At Grand Lodge meeting held in Toronto on July 14th, 1870, the recommendation that a warrant be granted was adopted, and on September 22nd, 1870, M.W. Pro. A. A. Stevenson constituted and consecrated the Lodge of Fidelity, No. 231, consisting of twenty-two members, and then installed the following original officers:
At the conclusion of the ceremonies, the Grand Master, the Worshipful Master and other distinguished Masons were suitably entertained. On the following day the M.W. the Grand Master, assisted by other Grand Lodge officers laid the foundation stone of the new Court House and the Carleton County offices, and that evening a banquet was provided in his honour by the Carleton County Council. At the time of the installation of Bro. A. H. Matthewman as Worshipful Master in 1871, it was recorded that there were three initiations and annual rental of Lodge Rooms was $50.00. It is of interest to note that Lodge of Fidelity's 1970 rental was $1187.00. In February 1875, a largely attended "Lodge of Sorrow" was held as a memorial to M.W. Bro. W. M. Wilson, Grand Master and R.W. Bro. J. D. Harris, Grand Secretary. An important landmark in Ottawa Masonry occurred on May 31st, 1888, when the new Masonic Hall on Sparks Street was dedicated by R.W. Bro. R. T. Walkem, D.G.M., acting for the Grand Master. On the same day he unveiled the monument on the Masonic burial plot at Beechwood Cemetery. That evening there was a reception of Masons and their ladies, followed by a largely attended and enjoyable banquet. The annual installation of officers was originally held on St. John's Day; in 1891 it was changed to the regular meeting date in June and in September 1957 was again changed to the regular meeting in May as at present. The first twenty-three years of its existence proved to be a great financial strain on the Lodge and in 1893 some members were of the opinion that the Charter should be surrendered. This was voted down and means were found to place the Lodge on a sounder financial footing. The twenty-fifth anniversary was celebrated on January 22nd, 1896, with a Ladies' Night and a programme of entertainment.
A disastrous fire on December 3rd, 1896, destroyed the Lodge rooms, including records, furniture and regalia. Temporary quarters were placed at our disposal in the Oddfellows Hall, and regalia and furniture were loaned by Eddy Lodge of Hull, Que. New Lodge rooms at 140 Albert Street were dedicated on May 19th, 1898 by the Grand Master, M.W. Bro. Wm. Gibson. and M.W. Bro. John Ross Robertson, P.G.M. presented a Volume of the Sacred Law, Working Tools and Gavels. At the Regular Meeting on January 16th, 1906, the Grand Master, M.W. Bro. J. H. Burritt visited the Lodge. A First Degree was conferred by the Past Masters with M.W. Bro. A. A. Stevenson, P.G.M., occupying the Chair. For several years the idea of erecting a suitable Masonic Temple had been discussed and it reached fruition in 1911 when the Masonic Temple was incorporated with a capitalization of $100,000. Subscriptions were received from various Lodges and individual members. The Corner Stone was laid on October 12th, 1912, by M.W. Bro. Aubrey White, G.M., and suitable addresses and entertainment concluded the event. Misfortune struck again on July 17th, 1913, when another fire destroyed all records. Temporary accommodation was made available by the Scottish Rite until the new Temple was completed. On January 14th, 1914, the Lodge of Fidelity had the honour of holding the first Masonic meeting in the new Temple. Wor. Bro. C. B. Fatten was the W.M. and Bro. (later R.W. Bro.) Chas. W. Powers was the first candidate initiated. This was the official visit of the D.D.G.M., R.W. Bro. M. H. Steele. About five hundred Masons, including many prominent Grand Lodge officers, attended. During and immediately following World War 1 there was a great influx of candidates, and during the year 1919-1920 forty-five were received into Lodge of Fidelity, forty-one by initiation and four by affiliation. The 50th anniversary of the Lodge was suitably celebrated in January, 1921, with the Past Masters occupying the chairs and conferring the Degree. R.W. Bro. Wm. Rea, a charter member and one of the original officers, occupied the Master's chair. The evening concluded with a banquet.
The next quarter century saw the Lodge of Fidelity make steady progress in every line of endeavour. During this period, Bro. Gilbert Swain, who had been initiated into Lodge of Fidelity on October 19th, 1909, was elected to the office of Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan in 1925. In 1934 a Master's Fund was created to provide assistance to needy brethren of the Lodge. A canvas of the brethren netted the sum of $517.00 and an additional $374.00 was contributed in 1940. In 1942 the balance of this Fund was deposited in Lodge Account No. 2 and to this is added $2.00 from resident members dues and $1.00 from non-resident members dues annually, all of which is used only for charitable purposes. The Fidelity Education and Fellowship Club was organized in 1935. This Club, in which every brother is a member, is financed by voluntary contributions and has greatly assisted the Worshipful Masters in providing music, speakers and entertainment. Our Lodge paper, "Fidelity Highlights" is sponsored by the Club and provides news of members and information about Lodge activities. Over the years many devoted and able brethren have given freely of their time and talents in compiling and editing "Highlights" and their efforts are truly appreciated by all members, but particularly by those separated from Lodge attendance by ill health, age or distance. In 1941 a Life Members' Fund was instituted to be devoted exclusively to the needs of Life Members and their widows. As the demands on this Fund have decreased over the years the assets have been transferred to Account No. 2, to which reference has already been made. A Memorial Service for the late Bro. Franklin Delano Roosevelt was held at the Temple in May 1945 and was attended by a large number of Masons. On January 15th, 1946, the Lodge observed its 75th anniversary. A large gathering of Masons heard the history of the Lodge given by four brethren, Vy. Wor. Bro. Howard Lang -- 1879 to 1900; Wor. Bro. S. W. Canniff -- 1900-1915; Wor. Bro. H. S. Binks -- 1915 to 1930 and Bro. M. T. Ashe -- 1930 to1945. Special anniversary booklets containing an historical sketch, By-Laws, Lists of members, Worshipful Masters, District Deputy Grand Masters and Grand Masters were distributed to all brethren. A successful social evening in the Temple on January 18th, 1946, concluded the festivities.
With the close of the 75th anniversary, a tribute must be paid to the efforts of the late Wor. Bro. Carl Bradford, who despite serious physical disabilities, painstakingly examined the incomplete records and extracted the outstanding events which formed the basis of this history. On May 17th, 1960, following the Installation of Bro. L. C. Hipkins, the Grand Master M.W. C. M. Pitts visited the Lodge and presented 10 Fifty-Year Veterans' medals. In his congratulatory remarks he stated that to his knowledge this was the first time that 10 medals had been presented at one time in any Lodge. The Lodge made presentations to Wor. Bro. Carl Bradford on the occasion of his retirement; to Rt. Wor. Bro. C. F. Howard on his election as D.D.G.M.; to Bro. Percy Rutledge in appreciation of his services as Organist for over thirty years and to Wor. Bro. J. Alf Pell on his election as D.D.G.M. A special Percy Rutledge Night was held on October 21st, 1969, when a large number of brethren gathered to do him honour. A unique innovation was a Guest Night held at the regular meeting on October 17th, 1967. Our ladies and non-Masonic couples were invited and following a dinner the guests were taken to the Lodge room, where a short talk on Masonry was given by Pt. Wor. Pro. M. J. Scobie, P.D.D.G.M. This Guest Night was so successful that it was repeated in October 1968. An interesting item appears in the annual Financial Statement of the Lodge, entitled the "Gardner Memorial Fund", and a few words of explanation are offered: The late Bro. Alexander H. Gardner was initiated into Lodge of Fidelity on May 19th, 1936. He served in the R.C.A.F. but, due to ill health retired from the Service in 1942 to live in Arizona and later California in an effort to regain his health. On July 15th, 1952, he passed away in Calgary. His widow, Nancy A. Gardner, who died on September 9th, 1953, bequeathed a portion of her estate to Lodge of Fidelity. The total amount received was $5,669 and according to her will, could be used in whatever way seen fit for the benefit of the Lodge. The funds were invested and most of the interest received has been used to supplement the benevolence of the Lodge. At April 30th, 1970, the balance to the credit of this amount was $10,502.34. The recent change in Estate Taxation makes it necessary for many persons to alter their wills, and presents an opportunity for members to consider making a bequest to the Lodge. The funds would be carefully conserved and would be used for the benefit of our less fortunate brethren. Between 1946 and 1970 over forty visits were exchanged between our Lodge and Lodges in Ontario, Quebec and New York State. Lodges visited in New York State were Watertown Lodge No. 49 and Acacian Lodge No. 709, Ogdensburg. In its one hundred years of existence Lodge of Fidelity has received into membership a total of 1175 members. Of this number the following have attained fifty-year membership:
Brethren who have been honoured for sixty years of membership are:
Brethren who have been elected Grand Lodge Officers:
In addition to the elected officers, the following have been appointed to office in Grand Lodge:
Other Grand Lodge Officers who were elected Honorary Members of Lodge of Fidelity are:
Wor. Bro. W. H. Rice (W.M. 1915-16) served as Worshipful Master of Canada Lodge, London, Eng., in 1944, and Bro. John D. Railer, of Lodge of Fidelity is presently Senior Warden of the same Lodge. During both World Wars, Lodge of Fidelity was represented by many members serving in the Armed Forces and in other non-service capacities. Over the years the Lodge has been the recipient of many gifts which serve to remind us of happy occasions and brethren long since departed. The following list does not include those items that will be donated at the Centennial celebrations in late September 1970. Silk Union Jack and Stand -- Zetland Lodge No.326, Toronto, on 50th
Anniversary. A casual study of the membership lists will reveal the repetition of many family names. Of particular interest at this time is the name Clauson. The Junior Steward of fifty years ago was Bro. Geo. W. Clauson, the father of the present Worshipful Master, and grandfather of the present Junior Steward. At the 115th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Canada in Ontario the Ottawa District was divided into two Districts. On July 15th, 1970, our Lodge was honoured by the election of Pt. Wor. John Alfred "Alf" Pell as D.D.G.M. of No. 1 Ottawa District. Rt. Wor. Bro. Pell brings to his new office a strong background of Masonic experience, wide friendship throughout his District and sincere dedication to his task. He has all our loyalty and support. It is fitting at this time to express thanks and appreciation to the Centennial Committee, which, under the able chairmanship of Pt. Wor. Pro. Alf Pell has laboured so zealously to make this a fitting and successful Anniversary. Sincere thanks are also given to the many members of the Lodge who donated to the Centennial Fund and members and friends who donated regalia and furniture.
"Celebrations of our Hundredth Birthday include: Divine Service on Sunday, September 27th, 1970, 11 a.m. at McLeod-Stewarton United Church. Dedication of new Gold Regalia and Furniture at an Emergent Lodge meeting on Tuesday, September 29th, 1970. A dinner and reception for Lodge members and their ladies, followed by a display of the new regalia and entertainment, on Wednesday, September 30th, 1970. The crowning event will be the Centennial Ball at the Skyline Hotel on Saturday, October 3rd, 1970. We, in Lodge of Fidelity look backwards with humility and gratitude to those who have laboured so faithfully over the past century, and look forward with confidence, in hope that the second hundred years will be equally rewarding." The following poem which concluded the history of the seventy-fifth anniversary still expresses our thoughts and aspirations: Although our past achievements we with honest pride review, |
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