The following excerpts are taken from the book "101 Years of Masonry in the Town of Whitby" compiled by R. W. Bro. George W. P. Every dating from 1826 to 1927 and printed in 1927. Dates have been added for clarification and some editing for this condensed program.
1852. "Records of the proceedings of the Composite Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Whitby, C. W. Dispensation granted 24th May, A.L. 5852. Warrant received from Grand Lodge of England, 25th October, 1854, A. L. 5854. No. of Warrant 893 English Register; 35 Provincial Register."
Such is the title page of the first minute book of that which is now Composite Lodge No. 30 G.R.C.
It is idle, perhaps, to speculate as to why our brethren of 1852, in casting about for a name for a new Masonic Lodge to take the place of Unity Lodge should agree on the name "Composite." True, Composite is the name of one of the five noble orders of architecture, and there are many lodges in this grand jurisdiction that rejoice in the names of Doric, Corinthian, Ionic and even Tuscan, but no other lodge (1927) in the Province of Ontario has ever seen fit to adopt the name of Composite, although they had the example set them seventy-five years ago.
On Friday, June 4th, 1852, one year and nineteen days after the dissolution of Unity Lodge the first meeting of Composite Lodge was held "at the lodge room in Scripture's Hotel, in the village of Whitby." This hotel was situated on the S. E. corner of Byron and Dundas Streets. There were fourteen brethren present of whom five were visitors. The lodge, was opened directly in the Third Degree with Bro. H. S. Reed, W. M, of Jerusalem Lodge, in the East, and W. Bro. Thos. Correy, W.M. of, Mt. Zion Lodge, in the West.
On November 25 , 1852. "The committee appointed for purchasing the jewels of the late Unity Lodge report that they can be got for £7-10-0, and were ordered to be received at that sum." May it not fairly be presumed that this money would be sent to the P.G.L. to liquidate part of the indebtedness of the late Unity Lodge to that P. G. body-
On June 30, 1853 the corner stone of the Ontario County Court House was laid with all the pomp and ceremony that the P.G.L. and the local brethren could muster for the occasion The writer was told by the late R. W. Bro. Joseph White, that, as a boy, he saw the procession, clothed with aprons and white gloves, wending their way through the open fields to the site of the ceremony.
"The Brooklin Brass Band, being engaged for the occasion, arrived at an early hour, preceding the brethren of Mount Zion Lodge, Borelia; shortly after which the lodge at Bowmanville arrived, and about two o'clock p. m. the steamer was announced with the officers of the Grand Lodge and brethren from the different lodges in Toronto, accompanied by the city band”.
We note from the minutes of the P.G.L. that the following local brethren participated in the procession:
W. Bro. Ezra Annes, as G.S.W.;
V. W. Bro. the Rev. P. V. Mayerhoffer, as G. Chap.;
W. Bro. Thos. Cory as G. Pursuivant; W. Bro. Spencer, carrying cornucopia;
W. Bro. C. Clark, carrying wine;
Bro. A. W. Brown, carrying Corinthian Light;
Bro. Sheridan, carrying banner;
Bro. Dornan, carrying Doric Light;
Bro. James Wallace, carrying column of G.S.W.;
Bro. Clarke, carrying Ionic Light;
and a large number of brethren from the various lodges in the neighborhood.
"Having arrived at the building, and the acting Deputy Grand Master, Bro. Richardson, having taken his stand on the platform assigned to him, pursuant to ancient custom, addressed the great assembly from all parts of the country in these words:
"Men, women and children, here assembled to-day to behold this ceremony, know all of you, that we be lawful Masons, true to the laws of our country, and established of old with peace and honour, in most countries, to do good to our brethren, to build great buildings, and to fear God, who is the Great Architect of all things. We have among us, concealed from the eyes of men, secrets which may not be revealed, and which no man has discovered; but these secrets are lawful and honourable to know by Masons, who have only the keeping of them to the end of time. Unless our craft were good and our calling honourable, we should not have lasted so many centuries, nor should we have had so many illustrious brothers in our order, ready to promote our laws and further our interests. To-day we are assembled in the presence of you, to lay the Foundation Stone of Buildings for the public use of this new County, and promote harmony and brotherly love, till the world itself shall end. So mote it be."
A prayer was then offered by the Grand Chaplain, Rev. Bro. Mayerhoffer, when, amidst a strain of music from the band, the acting G. M. descended, accompanied by his officers, and approached the North East corner. The mortar being spread, the stone was then slowly lowered to its permanent resting place, amid the solemn and magnificent strains of the National Anthem by both bands. The Plumb, Square and Level were then applied by the acting G. M., who pronounced the stone "well formed, true and trusty." Three immense cheers were then given for the Queen and three for the County of Ontario. The stone was struck three times with the mallet and the ceremony was concluded amidst immense cheering from the vast multitude. The procession was then reformed, and proceeding through the principle steets of Whitby, returned to the lodge room at Scripture's, and "the Grand Lodge was closed in form at 7.00 p.m. with solemn prayer."
1857 was a banner year for Composite Lodge with 31 meetings, average attendance of 14 members, a total of 62 visitors and with 16 Initiations and 4 Affiliations.
Composite Lodge No. 30, G. R. C.
A. F. & A. M.
July 23rd, 1858 was the first meeting held under the Grand Lodge of Canada. The minutes read:
"The W. M. read from the chair a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of Canada, and stated that we are now working under that body." Thus did Composite Lodge come under the jurisdiction of the present Grand Lodge. For the third time it was "Composite Lodge U.D."
On January 18th, 1859 an emergent for the purpose of conducting the funeral of "our late Bro. Rev.
V. P. Mayerhoffer with Masonic ceremonies. "Fifty-two brethren are recorded as being present of whom ten
were a delegation from Jerusalem Lodge at Bowmanville, six R.A.M. acted as pall-bearers. So passed a regular and faithful attendant at the meetings of Composite Lodge. It is interesting to note the following accounts paid by the lodge in connection with the funeral: Band, $25.00; expenses Bro. Searles, $18.90; coffin and hearse £9-0-0; entertainment of visiting brethren at Scripture's Inn, $10.25. King Solomon's Lodge at Toronto was to pay one half of these accounts.
.
June 5th, 1862, this meeting indicates for the first time that a new mode of working was used in Composite Lodge. The practice hitherto was to open the lodge in the degree which hitherto suited the convenience of the W. M. - usually the third. If an initiation was to take place, then the Master's Lodge was closed and that of an E. A. opened. If a 2nd degree was also to be worked, then the E. A. lodge was closed and that of a F. C. opened. At this particular meeting the business was transacted in the First Degree, the lodge was then opened in a second degree and a candidate passed. "The lodge was then closed in harmony severally in the 2nd and 1st degrees." Exactly the same as it is done at the present time.
November 1st, 1866. The following minute speaks for itself: "It was moved by W. Bro. Gibson, seconded by the J.W., that Bro--'s little boy have a good warm winter suit of clothes made and that the same be paid for out of the funds of this lodge, and that Bro. Lowes be appointed to have the clothes made and
see the child clothed." The name occupying the blank, as above, is that of a suspended P. M. and charter
member, and who could not control his desire for strong drink. A graceful and becoming act and one that
makes us proud of being craftsmen and members of Composite Lodge.
On November 7th, 1867 the lodge decided to move once more and adopted the report of the Committee on Lodge room, which recommended leasing of the "3rd flat of Lowes & Powell's building at $75.00 per annum for ten years, with a reduction of $15.00 for the first year." Bros. Jones, Keller, Pringle, Carson and Dartnell, were appointed a committee "to superintend fitting up the new lodge room." For the next 42 years, or thereabouts Composite Lodge met in this building, on the N. E. corner of Brock and Dundas Streets.
At the meeting of February 2nd, 1871 a Pickering brother wrote that he was desirous of withdrawing
from the lodge but that he was unable to pay his account for dues in consequence of all his property having
been destroyed by fire. The lodge passed a resolution of sympathy, remitted his dues, granted a demit and
sent him $10.00 besides. Hurrah for our brethren of 1871.
At the March 4th, 1880 meeting a letter was read from Hiram Lodge No. 144, of Fulton, N.Y., stating that W. Bro. Chas. Clark died there on Feb. 19th and was buried by that lodge with Masonic honours. A resolution was carried thanking Hiram Lodge and we note that the name of W. Bro. Clark was still one to conjure with in Composite Lodge, as the following extract from a resolution will show: "That this lodge has received with great regret the sad news of the death of our beloved Very W. Bro. Chas. Clark, who was one of the founders of Composite Lodge and during his residence in this town, the brethren of this lodge looked upon him as the father of this lodge."
On Mar. 21st, 1892, M.W. Bro. John Ross Robertson, Grand Master, was present and delivered his lecture on "The Progress of Masonry in Canada during the Past Hundred Years". The meeting was held at 10.30 a.m. Thirty-one members and two visitors welcomed the G.M. After forty years existence as a lodge, Composite received for the first time a Grand Master within her tyled doors.
Mar. 16th, 1911 must have been a red letter day. For the second time the lodge received a visit from a Grand Master of the G.L. of Canada in the person of M.W. Bro. D. F. McWatt. It was also the occasion of the dedication of the new lodge room and of a Lodge of Instruction.
The attendance was 40 members and 149 visitors. Fidelity Lodge exemplified the First Degree, Mount Zion Lodge the Second Degree and Lebanon Lodge the Third Degree. The G.M. dedicated the lodge room in "ample form" and a banquet was subsequently held in the Music Hall. Ontario District contributed $50.00 towards the expenses incidental to this Lodge of Instruction.
Feb. 5th, 1926 the Building Committee reported that they had bought the Oddfellow's Block for $9,500.00 paying $500.00 down to the Toronto General Trust Corpn., executors of Estate of the late Col. J. E. Farewell. They recommended the formation of a Private Company under the Ontario Companies Act .
to be known as "The Composite Company of Whitby, Ltd." for the purpose of financing the purchase, managing and operating the venture. The proposal was to sell stock to the members of the Craft in Whitby
(par value of $50.00 a share) and also to Composite Lodge, Keystone Chapter and St. John the Almoner Preceptory. They estimated the Revenue from rents at $1610.00 and expenditures at $610.00 showing a
probable earning capacity on the money invested at about 8%. The estimated Capital Cost was set at $1,120.00.
On Nov. 5"', 1926 the first meeting in the new hall situated in the business block owned by the Composite Company. This block was formerly known as the Oddfellow Block and is the second building
north of Dundas on the east side of Brock street.
1927 And so comes to a close this attempt to portray over one hundred years of Craft activities in this Town of Whitby. Periods of depression have alternated with seasons of prosperity but through it all runs the thread of "dispassionate courage, circumspect resolution, indefatigable exertion and a rare power of mind"'. And in all these years, our brethren have given ample evidence of their Faith in the genius of Freemasonry, their Hope that the local lodge may go on from strength to strength and their love for the fraternity, whither soever dispersed over the face of land and waters. May we who follow in their footsteps ever consider who our predecessors were and worthily walk in that light which fond memory sheds around us.
Save and except the municipal records of the Township of Whitby, do you know of another local organization that can boast of 1 01 years written records- Think it over. And then rejoice and be exceeding
glad, for great is the heritage that is yours. And do not lose sight of the fact that the S. & C. that is used in
conjunction with the V .0. T .S. L. came from Unity Lodge, as did also the jewels of office that mark the rank
of our W. M. and J.W.
Geo. W. O. Every, P. D. D. G. M.,
Ontario District No. 12 and Historian of Composite Lodge
May 6th, 1927. R. W. Bro. Every reported on printing of History of Lodge as follows.
W. Sir and Brethren.
Your committee appointed at the Jan. meeting to make arrangements for the publication of a history of this Lodge beg leave to report as follows, that the entire book is now in type and ready to go to the press. The binding and cover have been given careful consideration and it is felt that the same should be of better quality than sanctioned at the Jan, meeting, we, therefore recommend.
(1)A blue Pebbly Kerratoe Binding, title "101 Years of Craft Masonry in the Town of Whitby", in gilt letters on the cover, book to be sewn, size 5½ x 8 consisting of about 160 pages. Cost 35cts. each it will be limp cover, something like imitation leather and will wear well and be substantial.
(2) That the edition be 400 copies.
(3) That the sale price be $1.50 each copy.
(4) That at least 100 copies be reserved by the lodge for presentation to our A. E.s along with the
B. of C. and By-Laws.
(5) That presentation copies be made to each lodge in Ontario District and also Doric #424, Brougham Union #260, Zeredatha #220, St. Andrews #16 and that the W. M. be responsible for the presentation of same.
This report was adopted.
On May 30th, 1927 W. Bro. William Jermyn presented to the Lodge a Staff of Office for the D. of
C., the scroll within it bears the signatures of the distinguished guests who were present at the dedication.
Bro. William J. Luke presented to the Lodge a Bible.
June 3rd, 1927 Att. 65 members 105 visitors
This was the occasion for the dedication of the Lodge Room, this particular date was chosen because it was approximately the 75'" anniversary of the first meeting of Composite Lodge. Grand Lodge assembled in the I.O.O.F. Lodge room, Most Worshipful Bro. Rowland, Grand Master, R. W. Bro. Martin, Deputy Grand Master and several other Grand Lodge Officers were present.
The Lodge was opened in the 2nd Degree and the Grand Lodge Officers entered the room, where
they were accorded Grand Honours. The Lodge room was then dedicated in due and ancient form.
The Worshipful Master then requested the W.M. of Jerusalem Lodge #31 W. Bro. R. J. Gill, the W. M. of Mount Zion Lodge #39, W. Bro. Keith Lawrence and W. Bro. J. Baker of Jerusalem Lodge #31 to fill the three principle chairs. These chairs were filled by the officers of these three Lodges at the 1st meeting of Composite Lodge, in "Scripture's Hotel" in the village of Whitby on June 4th, 1852, 75 years ago. The Secretary was then requested to read the minutes of the first meeting of Composite Lodge bearing the date of June 4th, 5852.
Sept 2nd, 1927. At the July Session of Grand Lodge W. Bro. Graydon Goodfellow a member of our Lodge was elected to the office of District Deputy Grand Master. ;
.
On Apr. 6th, 1928 a motion was made to amend the proposed by-law changes, that the date of the
regular meeting of the lodge be held on the last Monday in the month. The Lodge has met on the last Monday of the month ever since.
June 30th, 1930. Motion passed that the Annual treat to the Children at the Fresh Air Home at Haydenshore Park be made.
Items similar to this appear in the minutes throughout the next decade. In 1931 the Corbett's Point Camp is also included. In later years, however, a straight donation of $5. 00 or $10.00 was voted from the Lodge funds for these and other similar institutions. Italics, from the notes of W. Bro. Frank Wells.
Nov. 26th, 1934. For the first time a motion is made to procure a P. M’s Jewel for the Worshipful
Master. The motion carried. But there were no jewels purchased until December 1935, when three jewels
were purchased, on motion made at the November 25, 1935 meeting, and presented on January 27, 1936.
From the December, A. L. 5937 summons
FOWL SUPPER
As has been the custom for the past few years a fowl supper(with frills) will be served in the banquet hall at 6:30 p.m., for which there will be a small charge of 25¢. The brethren are asked to bear this in mind and remember the date and the time - December 28 at 6:30 p.m.
From the January 26th, A. L. 5942 summons
The Junior Warden has arranged for an interesting social time in the banquet hall. Leslie McFarlane, of Whitby, well-known author, will be the guest speaker. We hope to see a goodly number of the brethren in attendance.
June 29th, 1942. This being D.I.L Night the W. M. requested W. Bro. Harry W. Jermyn to assume
the chair, assisted by members of the D.I.L. Staff of Ajax. These members were comprised of various lodges from outside points representative of 11 lodges.
After an interval of twenty years an item in the minutes starting with: "This being D.I.L. Night", makes one pause in order to decipher the symbols. With the Town of Ajax having a population approaching that of Whitby, the days when bulldozers moved into fertile fields to gouge out underground factories for the shell-filling plant of Defence Industries Limited, seem very remote. Above the ground drab utilitarian buildings dotted the area to serve as offices, cafeteria, living quarters, stores and as a hospital. The plant was peopled by an unusual assortment of individuals - from finer folk to what Edmunde Burke called "the great unwashed".
The influx brought new faces to Whitby, new members to the Lodge. On the night in question (June 29th, 1942) Wor. Bro. Harry W. Jemnyn, a D.I.L. employee, recruited eleven other employees (most of whom were members of other Lodges) to assist in the work.. Italics from the notes of W. Bro. Frank Wells which must have been written about 1962.
From the December 30th, A. L. 5942 summons
Excerpt from the Worshipful Master's Message.
When the storms of war beat upon our world, when the very foundations of our society have seemed to tremble, Freemasonry gives us something enduring, something permanent and impervious to time. Here we find the old solid truths upon which, with the help of the Great Architect, we can try to build useful lives.
J. M. Roblin
May 23rd, 1945
A Special Emergent Meeting was called at the request of the Grand Master to mark the occasion of victory in Europe and to carry out a service of Thanksgiving prepared by Grand Lodge. The Wor. Master requested W. Bro. Robert McNee, chairman of the War Services Committee to take direction of the service.
From the December 27th, 5945 summons
The Honour Roll
Bro. Ronald Agg Bro. (Dr.) Robert C. Montgomery *
Bro. (Rev.) Edwy R. Adye Bro. (Dr. ) Stanley R. Montgomery
Bro. Ivan Dusty Bro. Geo. McGillivray *
Bro. Wm. Fennemore ` Bro. John Perry *
Bro. John. Ferguson. * Bro. David C. Platt *
Bro. Ed J. Howard Bro. Albert Stinson
Bro. (Dr.) Fred S. Mills Bro. Claude Underwood *
Bro. M. Slichter. * Bro. Sidney W. Walker *
Bro. Edward G. Hazel *
* Received honourable discharge.
From the February 23rd, 5948 summons
FOOD FOR BRITAIN REPORT
The committee appointed by Composite Lodge on "Food for Britain" are very glad to announce that $209.00 has been sent to the Grand Secretary. This constitutes nearly $1.50 per member instead of the minimum asked by Grand Lodge. Well done, brethren!
Grand Lodge has announced that to date they have received $93,000 which enables them to send 1,200 parcels per month or 12 tons of food per month.
From the April 26th, 5948 summons
LADIES' NIGHT. DO NOT FORGET that on Friday, May 7th, Composite Lodge are holding a Ladies' Night at Club Bayview in Whitby. This banquet and entertainment is going to be the best ever put on by Composite Lodge, so do not fail to get your tickets early. There will only be enough tickets sold so that all may be seated at the banquet tables at one time.
It was reported at the May 31, 1948 meeting that there was a surplus of $90.00.
Emergent meeting, Friday June 6th, 1952
A Centennial Dinner in honour of the 100th Anniversary of Composite Lodge No. 30, A.F. & A.M. was held in the dining hall of The Ontario Ladies College, Whitby, the banquet was attended by over 250 Masons of Composite Lodge and their guests and visitors. Guest of honour was M. W. Bro. Nelson C. Hart, of London, Ontario, Grand Master of The Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario, accompanied by many other distinguished Grand Lodge Officers, Worshipful Masters of all the Lodges in Ontario District were in attendance. W. Bro. Maurice Slichter, Worshipful Master of Composite Lodge, presided.
The Grand Master, M. W. Bro. Nelson C. Hart, paid tribute to the Masons of Composite Lodge for
having maintained the principles of Masonry in the area for over 100 years. He also spoke on the progress
of material things in the world today and has there been the same social and moral progress. "We have eliminated the responsibility of the individual to the community as a whole. We do not do as much for each
other as the people did one hundred years ago.
"Masons," said the speaker, "believe in the brotherhood of man, and we should see if we are doing the things we should do. There are three and a half million Masons on this continent, and they have a tremendous influence in their communities, in education and in promoting honesty, truth and peace."
The dinner session was then adjourned and the gathering was then reconstituted as a regular meeting of Composite Lodge, in which the celebration was continued. The chapel of the College was transformed into a lodge room. The lodge was then duly opened and members of the craft, other than the special guests, assembled.
In an impressive memorial service, with lights lowered, sprays were placed on the altar by Bro. William Barnes and Bro. Scott Sheppard in memory of those who died during the 100 years. One of the most important parts of the programme was the presentation of the officer's collars with gold braid and gold plated jewels; also the gold plating of a ladder that had been presented to the lodge some time ago by W. Bro. William J. Richardson, the working tools of the lodge, the square and compasses, the deacons wands and sword. These were made possible through the generosity of the lodges of Ontario District. W. Bro. Lorne McCoy president of the Past Masters' Association of the District and Past Masters presented the officers with their collars.
Composite Lodge No. 30 now enters her second one hundred years and the regalia may now be
adorned with gold braid.
Sept. 27th, 1954. A letter was received from W. Bro. F. B. Schofield, of Acacia Lodge No. 580, London, Ont. saying he had the silver trowel which was used at the laying of the corner stone of the County Court House, Whitby on June 30th, 1853. He would like to present it to Composite Lodge No. 30.
The secretary, on behalfofW. Bro. F. B. Schofield, of Acacia Lodge, presented the silver trowel to W. Bro. Ron Agg, Worshipful Master, and through him to Composite Lodge, to be placed in the lodge room.
Oct. 25th, 1954. Seventeen of the visitors were from Composite Lodge No. 667, Hamilton, Ont. This is the first mention of fraternal visits between the two Lodges, which have continued on a bi-ennial basis to this date.
Saturday, Nov. 22nd, 1958 with 36 members, 10 visitors, Lodge opened at 1:20 p.m.
The highlight of the year occurred on November 22, when the Worshipful Master and his officers,
with a good attendance, Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason six Fellowcraft.
Bros. P. Ivor Lawrence, Douglas Taylor, Ivan C. Grant, Thomas E. Ashby, Albert Randal and Robert E. Sims were Raised to the 3rd or Sublime Degree of a Master Mason.
The Ceremony started at 1 :20 p.m. and continued until 9:00 p.m. with the exception of a Moose
supper being served at 6:00 p.m. The Moose meat was donated by W. Bro. Charles E. Broughton. This was the first time in the history of the Lodge that an event of this kind was held and it was very successful.
At the 116th Annual Communication of Grand Lodge held on July 19th, 1961 W. Bro. Charles B.
Rycroft was elected to the office of District Deputy Grand Master of Ontario District. All members of
Composite Lodge No. 30 join in congratulating R. W. Bro. Rycroft on his election. We know he will fill the
high office with distinction and dignity.
Sept. 25th, 1961, Resolution re: New Lodge
WHEREAS a resolution approving and recommending the formation of a new lodge in Whitby was adopted
in open lodge at the regular June meeting of Composite Lodge
and
WHEREAS 36 Masons in good standing have signed the petition to the Most Worshipful, the Grand Master
for a warrant of constitution for a new lodge in the Town of Whitby, to be known as "The David T. Campbell
Lodge ".
THEREFORE be it resolved that this lodge do now recommend this petition to form a new lodge in The Town of Whitby.
Duly approved in open lodge this 25th day of September, 1961.
Apr. 29th, 1963. That the County council be written advising them that Composite Lodge would be pleased to loan the silver trowel for the laying of the corner stone of their proposed new County building. This trowel was used for the laying of the corner stone of the present County of Ontario Building in 1853.
On December 16th, 1963, in the old Lodge room with its lofty ceiling, with its oil space heaters, with
its general air of belonging to the nineteenth century, Composite Lodge held its final meeting at this site. Wor. Bro. Emest R. Stafford Installed his brother Bro. Charles W Stafford. And V. Wor. Bro. John R. Frost, who had been the first candidate to receive a degree within these walls, closed the Lodge in peace and harmony. Italics from the notes of W. Bro. Frank Wells.
Saturday, January 18th, 1964. The furnishings were moved from the old Temple to the new Temple. An unfortunate accident occurred during the moving operation. The large piano was to be lowered by ropes out the third story window, in the process Bro. Jack W. Tripp's finger was caught in a loop of the rope which severed his finger.
Jan. 27th, 1964 with 63 members, 19 visitors
This is the first meeting to be held in the new Masonic Temple at 203 Cochrane St., Whitby.
The Worshipful Master, W. Bro. Charles W. Stafford was ill, W. Bro. William F. Guthrie, I. P.M. assumed the chair.
W. Bro. William F. Guthrie requested V. W. Bro. John R. Frost to open the lodge for the first time, as he had closed the Lodge for the last time at the old Masonic Temple.
May 29th, 1964 51 members, 110 visitors
This was a very special meeting called for the purpose of dedicating our New Masonic Temple. Previous to the meeting an Ontario District Reception and Banquet was held in the Anderson St. High School, at 6:15 p.m., $3.00 per plate, to honour our Grand Master, Most Worshipful Bro. J. A. Irvine. After
the banquet the Masons gathered at the new Masonic Temple to witness the impressive dedication ceremony.
Wor. Bro. Charles Stafford opened the lodge in the First and Second Degree at 9:10 p.m. The Grand Master and Grand Lodge Officers were received with due ceremony. The Grand Master assumed the gavel and proceeded with the ceremony of dedication.
The Lodge was closed in harmony at 10:55 p.m.
Sept. 25th, 1967. The Director of Ceremonies introduced R. W. Bro. L. Harry Inkpen, District Deputy Grand Master of Ontario District on an unofficial visit. R. W. Bro. Inkpen is endorsed by The David T. Campbell Lodge No. 706.
From the March 1968 summons. From the East
Our February convocation created, I believe, another milestone in the history of Composite Lodge.
There were in excess of 150 Masons of all degrees in attendance. Surely a heart warming occasion for any
Worshipful Master and his Lodge. Our guest of the evening Bro. Athol Layton, the popular personality well
know to us all, must have been highly gratified to see so many of his old friends from Lodges as far away
as Waubaushene, Brampton, Lindsay, Toronto and nearer to home all Lodges of the District. He was delighted also to make new friends on this particular evening.
On June 21st, 1978, 13 collars with gold lace and trim were to be purchased and on November 29th, 1978 Rev. Bro. Robert Wragg dedicated the new collars and Jewels in a most fitting ceremony.
Sept. 29th, 1980. V. W. Bro. William Guthrie had drawn a design for a 125th anniversary plate with the dates of Grand Lodge 1855 -1980, Composite Lodge No. 30 1852 -1980 centred by a picture of the Whitby Masonic Temple, to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Grand Lodge. The sale of these plates at $5.00 each was very well received by the Brethren. At the February 23rd, 1981 meeting V. W. Bro. William Guthrie reported that $277.00 profit had been realized from the sales of the 125th Anniversary Commemorative Plates. This money is to be applied to the cost of renovating the library.
A Mortgage Burning Ceremony was held on April 24th, 1982 at the Masonic Temple. A well attended ceremony by dedicated Masons, their families and friends gathered in front of the Masonic Temple, 203 Cochrane St. as the President of the Company, Bro. Clarence Corris, lit the match to set fire to the mortgage. The building is now owned by the Masons of Whitby.
At the January 31,1983 V. W. Bro. William Guthrie was requested to purchase 15 dozen mugs to retail at $5.00 each. At the meeting of May 30th, 1983 V. W. Bro. William Guthrie reported that the sale of coffee mugs which he had suitably inscribed has realized $479.35. This money will go towards the relocation and restoration of a pre-confederation Lodge Building to be located at the Black Creek Pioneer Village.
At the 122nd Annual Communication of Grand Lodge held on July 15, 1987 W. Bro. Leonard William H. Waltham was elected to the office of District Deputy Grand Master of Ontario District. All members of Composite Lodge No. 30 join in congratulating R. W. Bro. Waltham on his election. We know he will fill the high office with propriety and dignity.
In 1989 the installation and investiture of the Officers was changed to be held on the last Monday
of May. There was considerable heated discussion over these changes. A secret ballot was passed with a two thirds majority in favour of the changes.
A Special Event was held on Tuesday, April 26, 1990 in the Town of Whitby when the Freemasons
of Whitby and the Knights of Columbus united as a group to donate a glass covered oak display case for the worship centre of Fairview Lodge, Whitby. This was a joint community effort by the members of Composite Lodge No. 30, David T. Campbell Lodge No. 706 and the Knights of Columbus, St. John the Evangelist Council No. 4895.
A number of our members, through the years, have been honoured with the Peter Perry Award namely, 1955 Bro. Donald Wilson, 1957 R. W. Bro. William Davidson, 1958 V. W. Bro. Charles Stafford, 1962 Bro. Edward Bowman, 1970 Bro. William Nurse, 1978 Bro. Bert Heaver, 1983 R. W. Bro. Harry Inkpen,
1987 Bro. (Dr.) Joseph O. Ruddy (posthumously), 1990 Bro. Dr. Kenneth Hobbs, and 1992 V. W. Bro. Bert
Guthrie and his wife Grace.
On October 24, 1998, we held our first "Pancake Breakfast" to raise funds for our 150th Anniversary, held on the 3rd. Saturday of each month from September to May. To date, May 2002, we have had 34 "Pancake Breakfasts. Raising a total of $4,200.10.
Many thanks go out to those hard workers.
May 29th, 2000. On behalf of Composite Lodge No. 30 a cheque for $1,147.50 was presented to Bro. Jack Van Veen made out to Miss Dakotah Van Veen, who has been afflicted with Cerebral Palsy, the grand daughter of Bro. Van Veen. This money will go towards sending Dakotah to a special camp this summer and was the special project of the Worshipful Master, W. Bro. Gregory E. Olley, during his year as Master of the lodge.
The David T. Campbell Educational Assistance Fund was formed in 1957. One of the basic requirements of the trust is that it should only be used to assist "a boy or boys" who would otherwise be unable to continue their schooling. To May of 2001 they have disbursed funds covering 367 student years
for a total allocation of $355,520.00 for an average of $969.00 per student per year.
During this past 150 years, Masonry and Masons have played a significant role in the development and progress of The Town of Whitby with the presence of many prominent business men who were Masons.
W. Bro. Charles Clark, our first Worshipful Master, owner and operator of a Brewery; W. Bro. Ezra
Annes, Mayor of Whitby; W. Bro. Joseph White, Town Clerk and Treasurer, also he held the rank of Major
in the 34th Regiment; The Honourable Sir Hamer Greenwood, Baronet, Chief Secretary for Ireland and during the Great War he held the rank of Lieut. Col. in the Imperial Army; W. Bro. Charles F. McGillivray,
Physician and Secretary Treasurer of the Board of Education; V. W. Bro. Archie A. Archibald, Inspector of
Schools; R. W. Bro. Donald E. Gibson equal partner with W. Bro. Ed Bowman in Bowman and Gibson Insurance; V. W. Bro. John R. Frost many years of service as Clerk/treasurerofthe Town of Whitby; W. Bro.
Maurice Slichter, owner Slichter's Florists; Bro. Warren Mowat, Mayor of Whitby; W Bro. Ronald Agg partner
with his brother, Bro. Lawrence Agg in Agg's Grocery and Meats, V. W. Bro. Bert Guthrie successful farmer,
trustee and Secretaryltreasurer Township of Whitby School Board S.S. #5; R. W. Bro. Chas. B. Rycroft, president Pal-O-Pak Mfg. Co. Ltd.[Canada], director H. H. Goode & Son Ltd. Whitby grain elevator & feed
dealers, W. Bro. Harry Jermyn, Teacher, Judge, Mayor of Whitby; W. Bro. William C. Town, sonsV. W. Bro.
Harry Town and W. Bro. Jack Town of Town's Funeral Home; V. W. Bro Charles E. Broughton; W. Bro. Frank Wells; W. Bro. Fred Ing and the list goes on.
October 26th, 2002.
We come to the celebration of 150 years of Composite Lodge No. 30. But, we must also pay tribute to the founding members of Unity Lodge No. 19 Provincial Register, No. 799 English Register, Whitby, Upper Canada, for their efforts in establishing, in 1827, a Masonic Body in this frontier Town of Whitby. Their exciting, stimulating and brave years are recorded in the book "101 Years of Masonry in the Town of Whitby" compiled by R. W. Bro. GeorgeW. P. Every. Their members were the founding members of Composite Lodge No. 35 Provincial Register in 1852.
This is but a very brief overview of 150 years of Composite Lodge No. 30. How can one compress
this time span into a few pages when there is so much history to draw from- It is a rewarding experience, for the Historian, when we have all of the minute books from 1827 to 2002, most of the correspondence, application forms, receipts etc.
We have just perused the past; we are living this experience in the present; now, let us look to the
future of Masonry and wish those that come after us the fortitude to practice those tenants that are engraved in the stone lintel above the entrance to our Lodge Building, "Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth".
"So mote it be".
R. W. Bro. Leonard W. Waltham,
Historian
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PAST MASTERS
* Chas. Clark 1852-53
* John O. Doman 1854
* Ezra Annes 1855
* Frances Keller 1856
* E. Annes To Aug 27,1857
* Chas. Clark Aug 28,1857
* Jas. Wallace 1858
* Y. Gibson 1859-60
* W. McCabe 1861-62
* Y. Gibson 1863-64-65
* J. B. Powell 1866-67
* R. J. Wilson 1868
* C. A. Jones 1869-70
* J. Stanton 1871-72
* G. Hopkins 1873-74
* Thos. Huston 1875
* R. W. Young 1876-77
* Chas. King 1878-79-84
* R. W. Harrower 1880
* Jas. Brown 1881-82
* W. R. Howse P.D.D.G.M. 1883
* Jas. Shaw 1885-86
* Major Harper 1887
* A. M. Ross P .D.D.G.M. 1888-89
* C. Johnston 1890
* R. S. Connack 1891
* A. G. Henderson 1892
* T. A. McGillivray 1893
* Jos. White P .D.D.G.M. 1894-95
* John Gale 1896
* P. Taylor 1897
* Jos. King 1898
* John Burns 1899
* Fred Hatch 1900
* R. L. Huggard 1901
* Geo. Britton 1902
* J. H. Nicholson 1903-04
* W. J. Richardson 1905
* W. M. Pringle P.G.S. 1906
* J. J. Lynde 1907
* A. T. Lawler P .D.D.G.M. 1908
* John Ard 1909
* J. B. Johnston 1910
* C. F. McGillivray 1911
* J. F. Paxton 1912
* A. E. Christian 1913
* W. VanValkenburgh P.G.S. 1914-15
* E. M. Deverell 1916
* F. J. Gale 1917
* J. W. Bateman 1918
* F. J. Yourex 1919
* F. G. Erskine 1920
* W. M. Jermyn P.G.S. 1921
* F. T. Mathison 1922
* G. M. Goodfellow P.D.D.G.M. 1923
* F. W. Jones 1924
* J. M. Short 1925
* W. F. Harden 192 6
* Robt. McNee 1927
* S. J. Spall 1928
* E. L. Odium 1929
* M. M. Gibson 1930
* F. T. Rowe 1931
* G. W.P. Every P .D.D.G.M. 1932
* H. Robinson 1933
* H. L. Pringle 1934
* F. A. Nixon 1935
* W. G. Augustus P.G.S. 1936-37
* R. A. Sennett 1938
* J. Frost P.G.S. 1939
* H. W. Jermyn 1940
* C. E. Broughton P .G.S. 1941
* J. M. Roblin 1942
* G. B. Whitfield 1943
* W. H. Curtis 1944
* Frank Wells 1945
* Wm. Davidson P.D.D.G.M. 1946
* F. S. Mills 1947
A. E. Patterson 1948
* A. Archibald 1949
* J. W. Elliott 1950
* Wm. Courtney 1951
* M. M. Slichter 1952
* Fred Ing 1953
* R. W. Agg 1954
* G. A. F. Stinson 1955
* Bert Guthrie P.G.S. 1956
C. B. Rycroft P .D.D.G.M. 1957
* J. R. Town 1958
Geo. E. Gouldbum 1959
* E. R. Stafford 1960
* H. F. Town P.G.S. 1961
* L. H. Inkpen P.D.D.G.M. 1962
Wm. F. Guthrie P.G.S. 1963
* Chas. F. Stafford P .G.S.B. 1964
W. J. Tripp 1965
* A. F. Foote 1966
* B. H. Orton 1967
* J. M. McKenzie 1968
* John W. Everett 1969
Homer Boake P.G.S. 1970
* W. Percy Price 1971
* Arthur Minto 1972
* G. H. Darbyshire 1973
* H. Alexander 1974
H. Visser 1975
* Thomas R. Scott 1976
* John Ross 1977
* Kalman Banitz 1978
Frank L. Thompson 1979
Curtis Brown 1980
* John H. Forbes 1981
* Wm. F. Hoffman 1982
Leonard W. Waltham P.D.D.G.M. 1983
Raymond Nash 1984-94
Clarence Corris 1985
Roger Pye 1986
John A. Mansfield 1987
Dale R. Thissen 1988
* James G. Cane 1989
Otto Renz 1990
Gavan Crilly 1991
Rick West 1992
Lorne E. Coe 1993
Brett Hoffman 1995-97
Rick Fita 1996
Dwight Guthrie 1998-06
Gregory E. Olley 1999-02-03
John Hamilton 2000
George Zenglein 2001
Ike Sepulveda 2004
David Town 2005
Brent Morreau 2007
* Denotes deceased
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