The story of St. Andrew’s Lodge is marked with many interesting incidents. It is the tale of steady growth and of faithful devition on the part of its members. The lodge has pursued an even tenor of its way through all the changes and vicissitudes of a century.
Most of the members as the list will show, originated from Elgin Lodge No. 348 on the Grand Register of Scotland, and were suspended because of their desire that Elgin Lodge should affiliate themselves with the newly formed Grand Lodge of Quebec.
Bearing the date December 19th, 1872, a remarkable Petition for a Dispensation to establish this noted Lodge was presented to the Most Worthy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Quebec. It recommended the under mentioned brethren as the first officers and was signed by 31 brethren, members or former members of Lodges, designated as follows:
| Brothers | Office |
|---|---|
| Thomas Allan Daniel Rose George Martin John Muir John Finnie, M.D. John McLeod James Bowie W.S. Evand John Anderson John Bonnar J.W. Hannah W. Renshaw | Worshipful Master Senior Warden Junior Warden Treasurer Secretary Senior Deacon Junior Deacon Chaplain Steward Steward Inner Guard Tyler |
Bros. E.H. Thurson, A. Doutrie, A. Gerard, W. Wesley, W. Canlish, H. Barrington, J. CmCormack, V. Lalonde, G.A. Neville, J. Meldrum, W. Wright, A. Murdock, R. Nelson.
All of the above from Elgin Lodge No. 384 S.R. except: Bro. J.E. Bowie of St. Johns No. 60 S.R., Inskeating Scotland – also the following from:
St. Georges Lodge No. 440 E.R., Montreal
Bro. G. Goldie
Bro. A. Bennett
Tasker Lodge No. 454 S.R.
Bro. John Love
St. Andrew’s Lodge No. 518 S.R.
Bro. A.W. Bernie
Keesville Lodge No. 149 N.Y.
Bro. C.W. Woodford
Kalhousie Lodge No. 571 E.R. Ottawa
Bro. A. Angers
St. Lawrence No. 640 E.R.
Bro. A. Watts
In accordance with the prayer of the foregoing Petition, a Dispensation dated December 27th, 1872 was granted by Most Worshipful Bro. John H. Graham, Grand Master and countersigned by R.W. Bro. J.H. Isaacson, Grand Secretary.
In the early years of the Lodge, it was quite interesting to note the interest displayed by the members’ wives in the welfare of the Lodge. Mrs. Thurson, on behalf of the Chartered Members’ Wives, presented the Lodge with two Bibles, Square & Compasses and Regalia. This presentation took place in the home of Wor. Bro. Thomas Allan, after which a very enjoyable social evening was spent.
On September 25th, 1873, Warrant No. 38 was granted to the Lodge and signed by J.H. Graham, Grand Master; Jos. Dunbar, District Deputy Grand Master and J.J. Isaacson, Grand Secretary.
At the close of Wor. Bro. Allan’s term of office, the brethren saw fit to present him with a congratulatory address, printed on satin and an oil painting of himself, which now hangs in the Masonic Memorial Temple in Montreal, Quebec.