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Our History

The History of Masonry in British Columbia and that of Union Lodge 1201, E.R.


Masonry got an early start in the western territorial colonies known as British Columbia and Vancouver’s Island. On March 19th, 1859, a warrant was granted by the Earl of Zetland, Grand Master of England, authorizing the formation of a lodge at Victoria, Vancouver’s Island. The warrant took some time to reach the petitioners, for it was not until August 28th, 1860, that the lodge was finally constituted as Victoria Lodge, No. 1085 with J. J. Southgate as its first Worshipful Master. Some months later, Union Lodge, No. 1201, New Westminster, in the Colony of British Columbia, was organized, Henry Holbrook being nominated first Worshipful Master. Owing to a dispute as to the Junior Warden-elect, a warrant was not granted until December 16th, 1861 by the same Thomas Dundas, Earl of Zetland, Grand Master of the Most Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons of England and then on St. John the Baptist Day, June 24th, 1862 The Union Lodge was instituted.

In 1865 the United Grand Lodge of England renumbered the lodges to remove the large number of gaps within its registry, so Union Lodge No. 1201 became Union Lodge No. 899 for a brief period of time.

Over the course of the time, the Dominion of Canada came to be established in 1867 with Freemason, Sir. John A. Macdonald becoming Canada’s first Prime Minister. In 1871, then the united colony of British Columbia joins confederation and becomes the Province of British Columbia with Freemason, John Foster McCreight its first Premier. Then on October 21st, 1871, Robert Burnaby moved and Dr. Israel Wood Powell seconded the following resolution at a convention in Victoria: “That in order to establish perfect fraternal harmony and concord, to promote the lasting welfare of the Masonic fraternity in British Columbia, it is expedient to form a Grand Lodge in and for the Province of British Columbia.” This resolution was carried unanimously and with much enthusiasm. It was then moved by S. D. Levi, and seconded by M.W. Waitt, “That the representatives now in convention assembled on behalf of their respective lodges represented by them, do hereby declare themselves to be and that they now proceed to organize The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of British Columbia.” This was carried unanimously, and it was also agreed “that the constitution of the Grand Lodge of England for the present be adopted.”

Union Lodge would delay its entry into The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of British Columbia, receiving its dispensation on August 23rd, 1872 and its Warrant on February 17th, 1873 and thus become Union Lodge No. 9. By 1891 Union Lodge grew to a size were a group of brothers wrote, “Brethren, we the undersigned Master Masons believing it to be for the good of Masonry that another masonic lodge should be established in the City of New Westminster most respectfully request that you recommend the accompanying petition in accordance with the constitution.” It was granted by Union Lodge on Sept 2nd 1891, dispensation was received on October 23rd, 1891 to assemble and the charter for the daughter – King Solomon Lodge No. 17 was issued on July 12th, 1892 by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of British Columbia.

Again, over the course of Time, fortunes change and in November 2000, mother and daughter were united again when King Solomon Lodge No. 17 and Union Lodge No. 9 consolidated to form Union Solomon Lodge No. 9 of The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of British Columbia.

In 2011 we celebrated our 150th anniversary of history and tradition.

-Bro. H. James Pound
Written February 5th, 2010


Corner Stone Laying at Freemasons Hall
(October 6, 1911)

Freemasons Hall – New Westminster
508 Agnes St.

The Lodge Room – Freemasons Hall
(1912)


Past Masters of Union Solomon
№9


REFERENCES

  1. Grand Lodge of Montana, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Approaching the Portals, General Information Concerning Masonry 1992.
  2. Hodapp, Christopher, Freemasons for Dummies, 2005.
  3. Robinson, William G., History of the Grand Lodge of British Columbia A.F. & A.M. 1971 to 1995, March 1996.
  4. Marshall, John T., History of Grand Lodge of British Columbia AF & AM 1871 – 1970; 1971.
  5. M.W. Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of British Columbia and Yukon, The Freemasons and the Masonic family of British Columbia and Yukon, 2005.
  6. Tesner, Jim, Further Light, Helpful Information for New Master Masons, May 2008.
  7. Union Lodge No. 9 A.F. & A. M., G.R.B.C., Souvenir Programme and History, December 16th, 1961.