The first lodges in Canada were generally British military lodges, sanctioned by one of the Grand Lodges, either Scotland (1736), Ireland (1735), or England (1717).
1798
The roots of St Andrews #53
The Lodge of Unity, Peace and Concord No. 316 EC (moderns), a British military lodge, receives its original warrant. The Lodge was attached to the First Royal Scots when serving in India.
1840s
Argyle Lodge
During this period negotiations were under way to have both the Grand Lodge of England and the Grand Lodge of Scotland forego their claim to any right to institute Lodges in this jurisdiction, but the process was slow owing to the fact that both of these older bodies claimed jurisdiction to control lodges in the Imperial Dominion and looked with great disfavor or any move on the part of the new self-governing bodies taking control of them. Consequently, any act or move in this direction by the Grand Lodge of Quebec was frowned upon and discouraged.
During this period, however, the Grand Lodge of Quebec was ruled by some of the ablest men in Masonry and they continued to prove their right for self-control. The Grand Lodge of Scotland controlled one lodge, namely Elgin Lodge #348 and special efforts were being made to induce this lodge to waive allegiance to the Grand Lodge of Scotland and come under the control of the Grand Lodge of Quebec.
1847
Elgin Lodge named after the Earl of Elgin
Members of the Lodge of Unity, Peace and Concord #316 receive a warrant (#348) from the Grand Lodge of Scotland in 1847, and name themselves Elgin Lodge, with the endorsement of the Earl of Elgin.
The distinctive red apron worn by members of St Andrews Lodge #53 derives from the Grand Lodge of Scotland by the way of Elgin Lodge #348. The gold fringe or braid was an additive due to the fact that Elgin Lodge was originally a military Lodge.
1869
Formation of Grand Lodge of Quebec
After the formation of the Grand Lodge of Quebec, some members of Elgin Lodge wanted to join the new Grand Lodge, while most wished to remain with the Grand Lodge of Scotland. However, over time those dissenting members did finally agree to join the GLQ.
December 19, 1872
St Andrews #53 receives its charter
Officially: “The GLoQ charters St. Andrew’s Lodge No. 53. This lodge is a daughter lodge of the Elgin Lodge #348 SC. Surprisingly, it retains the “Red” workings of the GLoS. This error (the retaining of their ritual) was probably due to the pre-occupation of the GLoQ at the time with more pressing matters.“1
An alternative view is that the members who wanted to join the newly formed GLoQ left Elgin Lodge and formed a new lodge called St. Andrew’s, taking with them their “Red” ritual. It is likely that the GLoQ, being eager to have another lodge under its jurisdiction, accepted the new lodge with its attendant ritual.
1932
60th anniversary
The Annual Church Service of the lodge was held November 27th, that date being the closest Sunday to St. Andrew’s Day, a service was held in the St. Andrew’s and St. Paul’s church on Sherbrooke Street. In attendance were many of the District Deputy Grand Masters, past and present, also Past Masters, visitors and members amounting to approximately 250.
The celebration of our 60th anniversary was held on December 12th in the Masonic Memorial Temple. We were honoured by a visit from our Grand Master John A. MacDonald and a large delegation of Grand Lodge Officers including the Grand Secretary, Most Worshipful Brother W. W. Williamson. Our oldest living past master at that time was R.W. Bro. James McCrudden.
1947
75th anniversary
On December 1st our 75th Anniversary was celebrated. The Lodge was honored by a visit from Most Worshipful Brother Leslie H. Boyd, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Quebec. The work of the evening was the installation of Officers for the year 1948 by VWB J. Denham assisted by the Past Masters.
On February 11th, at this meeting, VWB J.J.F. Blackie presented to Bro. Thomas H. Hanson his 50 year jewel. VWB had previously had the honour and distinction of initiating this brother into our lodge on May 12th, 1896. W.B. Albert Halsall was appointed as Grand Organist.
1952
A delegation of brethren from our lodge visited Owl’s Head Mountain for a 3rd degree.
At a regular lodge meeting on October 14th Norman G. Stanley and John Bailey were admitted to the Entered Apprentice Degree. These two brethren were great friends and played a strong role in our lodge moving forward.
1972
100th anniversary
A special dispensation was granted to our Lodge to hold our 100th Year Centennial and Installation night on December 27th.
(Image shows WB A.G. Baird, who was installed as Worship Master on that evening.)
1982
Triple initiation
February 9th was a very special evening for RWB Kenneth Foster. His three sons Allan, Bruce and Graham were initiated into our lodge. They were together all passed to the second degree at an emergent meeting on March 23rd, and raised to the third degree on April 27th.
2012
140th anniversary
We celebrated our 140th anniversary on December 27th. To commemorate this event the lodge held a dinner-dance on November 17th at the Beaconsfield Golf Club in Pointe Claire.
2020
A year of challenges
On March 2 we received our first notice from the Grand Lodge of Quebec advising us of an outbreak of a new coronavirus. As of this date there was only one confirmed case of COVID-19 in the province of Quebec. We were told to be cautious by washing our hand and limiting handshakes and Fraternal embraces.
As of March 12th, all official Grand Lodge of Quebec (Grand Master and DDGM visits) were postponed until further notice.
On March 15th a follow up communication was sent from Grand Lodge advising us that all on site Masonic events be cancelled for an indefinite period. This included lodge meetings, district meetings, memorial services and social events. On line video conferences could be used to hold Permanent Committee meetings.
A telephone committee was set up to contact the Brethren of the lodge for a well being check and were advised if anyone needed assistance to contact the lodge.
2022
150th anniversary
On December 3, 2022 we celebrated our 150th anniversary with a visit from the Grand Master and a ceremony to raise a new Master Mason.
Driscoll, F. M., & Canadian Masonic Research Association. (1959). The story of the Elgin Lodge and other Scottish lodges in the Province of Quebec (Canadian Mason Research Association, no. 47). Canadian Masonic Research Association. ↩︎
