History

We would like to take this opportunity in recounting the development of Freemasonry in Stouffville, to look back at some of the significant and interesting events which have occurred in over a 160-year history of Richardson Lodge, denominated 136 on the Registry of the Grand Lodge of Canada.

We were born in the upper room of this stable as there was no room at the Inn!   That moment in time was June the 15th, 1860. It was a mere 23 years after the Rebellion in Upper Canada and only 45 years since the latest American attempt to invade Canada. Those living in this area loyal to the Crown, were still concerned that their aggressive neighbours to the south, the United States of America, might once again seek expansion to the North.

For that reason, Governor Simcoe had moved the Parliament of Upper Canada to “Muddy“ York in the late seventeen hundreds because of its strategic accessibility to a defensible harbour. He set his rangers task of building a road North to Lac Aux Claies, which he renamed Lake Simcoe in honour of his father. This road he called “Yonge” Street, after the British Secretary of War. It began in York and ended at Holland Landing, on the Holland River, which gave access to Lake Simcoe. This road allowed for a more extensive settlement of what became “York County“. This moved the transportation of goods away from the waterways, permitting travel by horse and stagecoach, opening up more to the interior. Markham Township was one of the fastest-growing areas North of York (renamed Toronto in 1834). Peter Reesor had settled there from Pennsylvania in 1804. He chose to locate on a small tributary of the Rouge River, near the Eastern end of Markham Township. Yonge Street opened up many towns like Thornhill, Richmond Hill, Aurora, and Newmarket and masonry began to flourish. When the Grand Lodge of Canada was formed in 1855, there were vibrant country lodges in Richmond Hill, Richmond No.23, instituted in 1824, Western Lodge No.13, Albion, and Vaughan Lodge No.26 in Maple. In York County, they were soon joined in 1856, by King No.70, King City, in 1857 by Markham Union No.87, Markham, Sharon No.97 , Sharon, True Blue No.98, Bolton and Tuscan Lodge No.99 Newmarket. Union Lodge No.118, Schomberg, Rising Sun Lodge No.129, Aurora and Richardson Lodge No.136, Cashel all began in 1860.

The Twelve Founding Members

1. James Bowman, Sharon No.97

2. John Bowman, Sharon No.97

3. Thomas Bowman, Sharon No.97

4. William Trudgeon, Sharon No.97

5. William Summerfeldt, Sharon No.97

6. Joseph Cook, King No.70

7. James Gibson, Dromore No.476

8. Thomas Jennings, Drumfuff No.60

9. F.David Bridgeford, Richmond No.23

10. David Hopkins, Richmond No.23

11. John Burr, Richmond No.23

12. George Simpson, Richmond No.23

The twelve founding members of Richardson Lodge had gathered together in the Spring of 1860 to form a new Lodge. Five were from Sharon Lodge No.97, Four from Richmond Lodge No.23, two from Irish Lodges (No.476 and No.60), and one from King Lodge No.70. They couldn’t find suitable accommodation at Stouffville in 1860, however the hamlet of Cashel offered not only the accommodation but refreshment and s convenient central location. This was essential for Pioneer Masons who had to leave their chores early and travel for many miles on foot or by horseback to arrive on time (although most meetings were in the summer and started at 8:30 or 9:00 P.M.)   After the meeting concluded they left around midnight to journey home by moonlight. Masonry had to be a very worthwhile activity to convince men that these many inconveniences were justifiable to their families.

Fraternities in those days, were one of the few local sources of entertainment, education and social activities. In addition to a form of financial security for widows and orphans. Outside of the church they were the best places to strengthen your character, hone your social/organizational skills and enrich life. These vital roles provided by the local organizations, resulted in the rapid growth of many brotherhoods throughout the last half of the 19th and the first 60 years of the 20th centuries. However there were periods of little or no growth, times when economics resulted in a decline. Early candidates, contemplating a membership in such a Brotherhood, considered it to be a kind of “security blanket“ which could help them and their families survive in troublesome times.

In June 15 1860 Richardson Lodge #136 GRC held its first meeting  in a livery stable and barn of an Inn. its was located in hamlet town region named Cashel located on Elgin Mills and Kennedy Road.

Francis Richardson

The founding members of Richardson petitioned the Grand Master, M.W.Bro.William Mercer Wilson, to grant them a Dispensation to open a Lodge at Cashel. It was to be called Richardson Lodge, after a Very Worshipful Brother Francis Richardson, for many years the Grand Secretary of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Upper Canada and a key figure in the unification of the two conflicting Grand Jurisdictions in Ontario. He was also the District Deputy Grand Master of Toronto District who on the 18th of June (1860) forwarded a Dispensation, under the signature of the M.W. Grand Master, to W.Bro.James Bowman, to enable him and other duly qualified brethren to open a new lodge at Cashel, in the Township of Markham, to be called Richardson Lodge. 

Three days before R.W.Bro.Richardson forwarded that Dispensation, the founding members had held their first meeting in s room on the second floor of the barn which stabled the stagecoach horses for the Inn at Cashel. We are not aware of how they got up there, where they got the furnishings, how it was lit, or what the smell was like, but we do know that James Bowman was the Worshipful Master, James Gibson was the Senior Warden, W. M. Trudgeon was the Junior Warden, John Bowman was the Secretary, five applications were received and the first person to be initiated was the Innkeeper, Samuel Mighton(er)s. This fact demonstrates the vision and forward thinking of the first members of our Lodge by initiating the bartender. We have steadfastly maintained a hospitable atmosphere ever since. The Inn kept by Samuel Mighton at the time was (likely) called the British American Inn. It was a thriving enterprise as the stagecoaches stopped there, and it provided good accommodation for hungry Brethren, especially those traveling long distances, who needed a place to stay overnight and a stagecoach to complete their travels in the morning. Richardson met at this place on the Friday, on or after the full of the moon (and on several emergent nights, often a Wednesday, during the Summer), from 1860 to the Spring of 1866.

Travel was often difficult due to weather and initiations were few in the early years, so 6 years later the lodge was moved to Knill’s Hall located in Stouffville across from the old location of the post office

In March of 1866, with few local prospects and a desire to establish themselves in a thriving community, they found accommodation in Stouffville. This was at Knill’d Hall then located at the North side of Main Street, about a block East of The town clock, just past the old Maple Leaf Dairy across the current Post Office.

A lease was secured and an adequate Lodge room was established in the upper back room of the Hall in 1866 and for ten years they met on the full moon Fridays. Unfortunately in October 1876, Knill’s Hall burned to the ground, taking with it the Lodge furniture, the Minutes from 1866 to 1876 and several portraits of our Worshipful Masters. 

Just West on Main Street, on the North side opposite the Clock Tower, J.R.Daley had built a block of commercial stores on Main Street, with rooms on the second floor. Richardson was able to secure a space there in a small back upper room and the Lodge met there until 1938. During this time, Canada and most of the world was experiencing serious economic decline which lasted from 1874 to 1897. Masonry was leveling off or declining at this time. Even as late as 1895 Grand Lodge noted that “no fewer than 50 Lodges in Ontario reported NO candidates and NO degree work, while the dues of half of members in some distressed areas remained unpaid. Yet even during these difficult times , Stouffville, and with its Richardson Lodge survived and flourished, perhaps partially due to the arrival of the Toronto Nipissing Railroad.

Establishing ourselves in Stouffville

Abraham Stouffer established a grist mill on Lot 35, Concession 1, Markham Township after settling there in 1805 (following Peter Reesor in 1804). The hamlet that was to become Stouffville grew up around Duffin’s Creek flowing between the present streets of Market and O’Brien. By 1866 there was a village of over 800 residents with several mills and merchants serving the surrounding area. There were also several signs that the Toronto Nipissing Railroad was headed through Markham towards Stouffville, to eventually reach Lindsay. The station was built in 1869, and the track followed two years later. Six years after that, a second track was laid north to Sutton on Lake Simcoe. This made Stouffville, by 1877, a busy Junction through which thirty trains a day would pass. The railroad connected Stouffville with Toronto, Lindsay, Lake Simcoe, and all the towns along the line, which allowed more frequent and extensive visitation. Lest we lead you to believe it was all clear sailing, we must inform you of what happened in 1887. Richardson Lodge was on the receiving end of the most negative report ever submitted by a District Deputy at an annual Communication of Grand Lodge, held that year in Kingston.

In 1887, the D.D.G.M., R.W.Bro. John Ross Robertson, in his annual Report to Grand Lodge, recommended that our Warrant be withdrawn. This proposal was as a result of poor attendance, poor record keeping and a lack of proficiency on the part of the senior officers. If this action had been taken, we would not be here today. Robertson also noted that no Grand Lodge Officer had visited the Lodge in several years probably because of the time, distance, and accommodation involved in travel to rural Lodges.

Following Robertson’s fateful visit on January 28, 1887, William Todd, a carriage builder from Goodwood, and a few other faithful members (whose persistence and refusal to give up, personifies the lesson of the chisel) invited capable Masters from other Lodges to serve as Sr. Warden and Wor. Master in Richardson. All of the following Worshipful Masters were “imported” into Richardson following W.M. Todd in 1888.

• W.Bro. John McDonald from Humber Lodge No. 305, Weston joined in May 1864, and was installed in June 1889.
• W.Bro. James Bond (honestly) from Stanley Lodge No. 426, Toronto, joined and was immediately installed on June 17th, 1891.
• W.Bro. Edwin W. Gardner from King Solomon Lodge No. 22, Toronto, joined June 17th, 1891 and was installed in June 1892 and continued to support us long after his term was over.
• W.Bro. John A. McGillivray from Zeradatha Lodge No. 220, Uxbridge, affiliated June 8th, 1892, and was installed in June 1893.
• W.Bro. (Dr. Peter Martin) Oronhyatekha from King Solomon Lodge No. 22, Toronto, affiliated and was immediately installed June 13th, 1894. He was a well known figure of the time.

Access by rail probably contributed significantly to this pattern of affiliation, which was necessary to ensure the survival of our Lodge. The significant efforts of those dedicated Masons sustained us through this difficult period. In 1895 W.M. Bartholomew Button was a local member now ready to lead the Lodge. He had a hotel at Ringwood and he sometimes catered to the refreshment needs of the Lodge. Capable, local men continued to lead our Lodge as it returned to prosperity over the next twenty years. It is interesting to note that war had the effect of increasing membership in our fraternity. Across the Province, membership actually increased by more than 2000 every year during the First World War. In the eight years 1915 to 1922 inclusive, total membership in our Lodge increased from 57 to 75, while in the Province, total membership moved from 58,983 to 91,879 (32,896 more members or a 55.8% increase). In 1920, Proceedings show that after suspensions, withdrawals, and deaths were subtracted, total Provincial membership increased by 8,891 men that year alone.

Despite the influence of economics and even through the horrors of war, these numbers illustrate the effect that Masonry has had on the lives of men – that the development of character leads to living a life larger than the circumstances in which they found themselves.

It was at Ollie Madill’s Installation in 1919 that Past Masters of Georgina Lodge first began to conduct our Ceremony of Installation. Right Worshipful Brother Harris Charles Tugwell, who was D.D.G.M. of Toronto District B in 1917, was Installing Master 33 times in Richardson, the last time, in his 84th year, when he installed

W.Bro. Norm Wagg in 1951. This year will mark the 92nd time that a Past Master of Georgina Lodge will participate in our Installation.

The groundswell of candidates abated after the Stock Market crash in 1929. After 1931, (the last year of increase in Provincial membership) Grand Lodge recorded annual decreases in membership each year for 11 straight years, from 116,998 in 1931 to 91,398 in 1942, a loss of 25,600 members. However, during this time, Richardson Lodge actually increased total membership from 86 in 1931 to 99 by 1942, largely through the efforts of men like Dr. Neil Smith, Joseph Borinsky, William Griffins, Ray Yake, Ollie Madill, Harold Sanders, Morley Symes, Fred Crossen, and of course, the solid reliable efforts of Kirby Ross “Shine” Davis.

In 1938, a new lease had been secured from the proprietors of the building that had come to incorporate the old Daley’s Hall, then known as the Lehman Block. It was there that a larger room on the same floor was obtained, converted to a Lodge room and consecrated by M.W.Bro. William G. Dunlop, Grand Master.

Near the foot of the stairs leading up to the Lodge room was the entrance to Shine’s Tobacco and Tailor Shop. This was the unofficial centre of Masonic activity for Stouffville. It was here that every officer, Mason or candidate, who wanted to learn his work, would buy a pop from the cooler and proceed to the rear work room. There Shine (also known as V.W. Bro. K. Ross Davis) would assist them. He would offer the brother the Work (all of which he had memorized) in small segments and listen carefully to the recitation, all the while altering clothing for the local stores.

Shine’s knowledge of the ritual, gentle, uncritical, thoughtful manner, coupled with his ability to remember details of each member’s life and his regular attendance at our meetings are some of the traits which place him at the pinnacle of what it means to be a true Mason.

Shine’s knowledge of the ritual, gentle, uncritical, thoughtful manner, coupled with his ability to remember details of each member’s life and his regular attendance at our meetings are some of the traits which place him at the pinnacle of what it means to be a true Mason.

It is impossible to underestimate the influence of “Shine” Davis on Richardson Lodge. He joined Richardson Lodge on March 9, 1911, became Master in 1923, and a Grand Steward in 1928. Over his 70 years as a Mason, 58 years as a Past Master and 53 years as a Grand Lodge Officer, outside of his wartime service, he only missed 3 meetings, twice because of cancer treatments and once because he was assisting a third degree of former resident William Still in another Lodge. His gentle, encouraging manner, wise counsel and excellence of character was the beacon which lit our Masonic path. He was our Secretary for many years, and this modest man often obscured his own contributions in the minutes while recording the achievements of others.

Though the effect of The Great Depression was easing and the days ahead looked brighter, once again the World found itself in conflict. Between 1939 and 1945 our fraternity followed the same pattern as it had during the “War to end All Wars”; men searching for order out of chaos. Following World War II, when the soldiers returned home, a further surge in membership occurred, perhaps because of the perceived stability and morality of Masonry. In the six years between 1946 and 1951 inclusive, Masonry gained over 3000 new members each year, including nearly 5,000 in 1947. During this time, Richardson membership rose from 98 in 1945 to 140 in 1952, almost a 50% increase. This was a boom period for us and Masonry in general. A unique event occurred on Fri., June 24th, 1949. Austin Pearse, the Wor. Master of Brougham Union Lodge No. 269 Claremont, assisted R.W.Bro. Tugwell, by placing in the Chair of King Solomon, his father, Reuben Pearse. As far as we can determine, this marked the first (perhaps only) time that a son, a Worshipful Master of one Lodge, installed his father as the Worshipful Master of another Lodge in the same District in the same year.

All the more remarkable is W. Bro. Reuben Pearse’s record of conferring degrees. During his year as Master, he conferred 13 First Degrees, 13 Second Degrees, and 12 Third Degrees (including 4 Third degrees on June 2nd, 1950). This total of 38 degrees over 17 meetings is likely a record for Richardson Lodge. While it is known that Toronto Lodges, such as Georgina, would work close to 60 degrees in a Masonic year in the early 1900’s, nearly 40 in one year was an excellent year for a country lodge like Richardson.

Building Our Own Hall

In June, 1953, the Lodge received notice that the lease for the Lodge room would not be renewed in January, 1954. The owners of the Lehman Block needed that space for other purposes (by this time, Richardson had been in that location for 77 years). This precipitated a flurry of activity. First, a committee under the direction of R. W..Bro. Art Weldon searched for other local accommodation but nothing suitable could be found. They then purposed purchasing a property from W.Bro. Morley Symes, located at the north east corner of Ninth Line and Second Avenue and building our own hall. While plans were being drawn up and volunteer labour organized, a second committee under V. W. Bro. Ollie Madill secured appropriate financing. Many men, Masons and non-Masons, volunteered time and materials as the project took shape throughout 1954 and the early part of 1955. Five of our current members were very involved in this endeavor and remain active members to this day.

Furnishings were found, made or purchased, and donated to the Lodge Room by several people, especially R.W.Bro. John Watt and the Senior Wardens group of 1954. Some of the Officer’s chairs came from the Board Room of the Bank of Toronto when it merged with the Dominion Bank of Canada. They have been in continuous use for 55 years. Our first meeting on Second Street, was April 15th, 1955 with Wor. Master Kenneth “Bulova” Wagg in the chair (he served that position for 17 months). One month later, on May 30th, our new Masonic Hall was consecrated by Rt.Wor.Bro. Donald J. Gunn, the representative of M.W.Bro. W.L. Wright, Grand Master. At this time, we changed our Official Visit from Oct. to April, Past Masters Night from Feb. to Sept., our meeting night from the third Friday to the fourth Wednesday and our Installation from June to November (where they all remain today). For this reason, it is the only time our Masonic year extended past 12 months.

In 1960, Richardson Lodge celebrated its 100th year. To mark the event a 14 member Centennial Committee was drafted and chaired by Rt.Wor.Bro. A.E. Weldon. On Sept. 28th, we opened Lodge and received our guest of honour, M.Wor.Bro. Clarence McLeod Pitts, Grand Master, and made him an Honourary Member of Richardson Lodge. We also conferred this honour on R.W.Bro. (Dr.) S.S. Crouch, P.D.D.G.M. (and member of the Centennial Committee). W.Bro. Neil Smith gave the History of Richardson Lodge (composed by V.Wor.Bro. Ollie Madill) and the Grand Chaplain, R.W. Bro. M.G.B. Williams, offered a Prayer of Rededication. We then retired to the Banquet Hall, where introductions were made and toasts given. We cut a special birthday cake and enjoyed a musical performance by soloist Lorne Boadway. We repeated a similar celebration in 1985, to mark our 125th year, except that we reversed the order. Under the capable direction of R.W.Bro. J. Murray Wagg, and our W.Master, W.Bro. James T. Rennie, we held our Banquet first, in the Legion Hall across the road. After a roast beef dinner (prepared by the Legion Ladies Auxiliary) the usual toasts and responses, we presented a clock to M.W.Bro. Ronald E. Groshaw, our guest of honour. We then retired to our own hall to open the Lodge. Over the past fifty years, current members, visitors, and guests will be familiar with some of the men who have been our Masters. In the 1960’s alone, you may be familiar with:

1960 – the commitment, persistence, and hard work of Billy Wallace

1961 – the open, friendly, gentle manner of Bob Snowball

1962 – the unpretentious, practical abilities of Jack Garrett

1963 – the activity, energy, and sociability of Lloyd McLean

1964 – the industrious, sensible, community-minded, leadership of Harry Schell

1965 – the light-hearted, enthusiastic, engaging manner of Ted Cadieux

1966 – the class, wisdom, humility of Dr. Blair Mitchell

1967 – the engaging, folksy, literate ability of Bud Sanderson

1968 – the solid, reliable, dependability of Ken “Abner” Wagg

1969 – the amazing, behind-the-scenes “diamond in the rough” influence of Donald “Joe” Lewis

1970 – the participation, organization, and knowledge of J. Murray Wagg

Five of these men are still with us and continue to offer excellent examples of a true Mason, attending several meetings each year.

Grand Lodge has recognized these members of Richardson Lodge over the past 50 years:

1976- V.W.Bro. William Wallace, Grand Steward

1978 – Rt. W.Bro. J. Murray Wagg, District Deputy Grand Master, Toronto District #3

1984 – V.W.Bro. H. Kenneth Wagg, Grand Steward

1986 – V.W.Bro. Gordon Wagg, Grand Steward

1989 – V.W.Bro. Donald W. Lewis, Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies and in 2002 R.W. Bro. (Grand Senior Warden)

1993 – V.W.Bro. Robert Sanderson, Grand Steward

1994 – V.W.Bro. George A. Ross, Grand Superintendent of the Works

1996- Rt. W.Bro. William G. Sanders, District Deputy Grand Master, Toronto District #3

1997 – V.W.Bro. James T. Rennie, Grand Steward

1997 – Rt. W.Bro. Barry J. Gyton, Grand Junior Warden

2001 – V.W.Bro. John D. Wylie, Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies

2006 – Rt. W.Bro. William G. McKee, Grand Senior Warden

2010 – Rt. W.Bro. Richard B. Morreau, District Deputy Grand Master, York District

In July, 2010, W.Bro. Lionel E. Sandiland received the Rank of Grand Steward. To mark each of these preferments, Richardson Lodge held a Reception to honour the recipient and rededicated their Grand Lodge Regalia. While our membership has declined over the last fifty years, Richardson Lodge has become incesins at Markham community Aside from floats in parades aco bonore involved in afir and The Strawberry Festival, we have become more involved in assisting soccer the Library, the Business and Police Associations and Blood Donor Clinics just to name some of our most recent connections. As service clubs like the Lions, the Kinsmen, the Rotary Club, and others have worked hard to improve the community through projects and fundraising, the Lodge seeks to improve the community by offering assistance and improving the character of its men. This mission, to improve character, has been the quiet but steadfast aim of all Masons for over five hundred years. As our wives love to inform us, the women are doing very well at establishing good character without joining a Lodge. It’s the men who need constant work on it!

One of the most unique events occurred in June 1997, when Richardson Lodge hosted the Train Ride excursion to Uxbridge and back on the Heritage Railroad. Using a plan originated and developed by the Worshipful Master, W. Bro. Kelly Holden, we opened the Lodge early and received about 150 guests including the Grand Master, M.W.Bro. Durwood I Greenwood. We called off and walked in full regalia to the train Station led by the Grand Master riding in W. Bro. John Wylie’s antique car. Box lunches were taken on board at Goodwood during the slow ride to Uxbridge, and a Reception, including the Mayor and Town Crier was held at Zeredatha Lodge, Uxbridge during which the Dowling Scrolls were on display.

The Toronto District 3 Awards were presented during the return trip to Stouffville. Over 300 people participated in the Train Ride and many more joined us in Uxbridge. A  later Train Ride featured a (Stouffville Creamery) Cream Can Ceremony during which Zeredatha Lodge #220 brought cream for The Strawberry Festival and to enhance Richardson’s annual June feast of Bro. Ted Barry’s strawberries.

It is noteworthy that two of our members, W.Bro. Keith Sutherland, in 1998, and Bro. Wilf Morley, in 2001, were named as Citizens of the Year In Whitchurch-Stouffville. It’s gratifying to know that of the more than 25,000 residents in our community, two of our members are considered its best citizens.

It has also been our good fortune to make connections and establis exchange fraternal visits with Lodges in Rochester, New York (by V.Wo Bro. George Ross), Flint, Michigan (by W.Bro. Kelly Holden) an Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (by W.Bro. Steve Fronske). Our America hosts have all been most hospitable and those who took advantage c the opportunities, thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Good Sumarita Lodge, Gettysburg is also celebrating its 150th Anniversary this year.

Bro. Ted Barry

There is one other significant event to mention, which occurred on January 27th, 2000. On that night our Brother Robert Edward Barry, better known as Ted, received the William Mercer Wilson Medal from M. W.Bro. Robert J. McKibbon. This is the most prestigious recognition that a Master Mason can receive. It is reserved for only those few Brethren, who have never sought rank but whose contributions to their Lodge, family and community have been exemplary. More than 250 people crowded the Lodge room on that occasion, the most ever. It is a good thing that Morley Symes put four big steel girders, lifted into place by many hands, between the first and second floors in our “new” hall, because their strength was severely tested that evening.

Celebrating 150 Years

For this Anniversary Celebration, we planned to separate the Lodge meeting from the Banquet. Under the guiding hands of Co-Chairman W.Bro. Ken Prentice and W.Bro. Kelly Holden, we decided to open our meeting on the same day of the year (June 15th ), in the same Location as we did 150 years ago at Cashel. We hope to re-enact the original opening of the Lodge with 12 Brethren inside the stable representing the 12 founding members and film the event for our history. We will call off at Cashel and reassemble at the Richardson Masonic Hall on Second Street at 7:00 P.M. to receive our guests. After the Lodge is closed, we will retire near the entry of our newly refurbished Hall to unveil the Sundial.

As we end our 150th year of existence, we continue to encourage connections with our community. We have sought the expertise of Dr. Don Petrie, and we intend to erect a sundial in front of our building similar but larger than the two other sundials erected in this town. We believe that people will be interested in its design, construction, accuracy, and importance. Masons being builders, will come to value what has been accomplished at Richardson. We will also pursue creating novel ways of preserving our history including a time capsule and by creating videos which will further illuminate our past and our connections with Cashel and Stouffville.

The new look of the Richardson Masonic Hall was accomplished by our Treasurer V.W. Bro Jim Rennie and the Chairman of the Hall Corporation, V.W.Bro Don Bone assisted by a few helpful Brethren and an unknown benefactor. On June 19th The Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother Raymond S.J. Daniels will honor us with his presence at a commemorative Banquet in the Christ Church Anglican Assembly Hall on Sunset Boulevard. Video recording of these events will be made, catalogued, and stored along with more comprehensive historical information which will facilitate future endeavors to explore our history.

During our 150 years, more than 760 men have joined our ranks, about 600 by initiation and 150 by affiliation. The lowest number of total members in any one year was 18 in 1873 and again in 1880. The highest number was 178 in Canada’s Centennial year, 1967. The oldest member to be installed as Master was W.Bro. Andrew G. Brown who, according to the Register was 78 when initiated, would have been 89 when installed and a remarkable 103 when he withdrew in March, 1917. We have more to discover about him. The youngest Master was W.Bro. William Albert Rae, who was 25 when installed in the Chair of King Solomon in June 1896. He must have been a quick study as he was initiated in August, 1893 so he had not yet completed his third year of Masonry.

We, the current members of Richardson Lodge have had the good fortune to call men of outstanding character, positive energy, and true human values, our Brethren. The legacies left by our members, who dedicated their efforts to Masonry, provide lasting examples of work well done and of lives well lived. Our Craft, which helped to mold their character, enabled them to rise beyond the struggles and challenges of their times. We choose to believe that they carried their good character, improved by Masonry, beyond their life on earth, to the Grand Lodge above. We cherish the hope that our descendants will have the opportunity to join our Fraternity, that it may become as significant in their lives as it has been to ours.

From Our Centennial Booklet

R – Right they began

I – In their Lodge so new

C – Character was needed

H – Hard work was too

A – Adhering to Principles

R – Respect of a sort

D – Duty to guide them

S – Strength to support

O – One hundred fifty years

N – Not by ourselves, with the help of our God

By W.Bro. William Wallace,

Worshipful Master 1960