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History
St. John’s Lodge No. 21a, G.R.C. is the oldest Lodge
in The Eastern District of the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of
Ontario. It was Instituted by the Grand Lodge of Ireland as St John’s
No. 159 I.R. on March 15th, 1844, and was present at the founding
convention of the Grand Lodge of Canada at Hamilton Ontario in 1855 , but did not formally
join G.R.C. until 1888. St. John's was the last of the “Irish
Lodges” to join the Grand Lodge of Canada. It should be noted that St.
John’s had requested that it be given No. 7a, 8 or 8a as representative
of its’ age. The number 21 was the lowest number available at the time, the
previous holder of that number having gone into darkness. The number 21a
was therefore issued .
Significant Dates in the History of St. John's 21a
March 16, 1844.
Initial charter issued to St. John’s Lodge # 159 under the
auspices
of the Grand Lodge of Ireland. Meetings were held at Bro. C. Ouimet’s
hotel in Hawkesbury.
February 18, 1846.
Following a reorganization, the meetings were moved to Bro.
Robinson’s house at pleasant Corners where they met regularly until
1853.
October 14, 1853.
It was resolved to relocate the Lodge to Vankleek Hill.
1856.
It was resolved to construct a building which was completed in 1860
and located on the west side of John Street just South the corner of
what is now County Road 10.
April 29, 1870.
It was resolved to sell the property to Bro. R.W. Lendrum for the sum
of £50.By December 2nd the Lodge was renting premises from James
Stewart (innkeeper) across the street at the southeast corner of
Main and John Streets.
June 24, 1871.
The lodge was relocated to the home of James O’Brien where, with
permission from the Grand Lodge of Ireland, communication would be
held in alternate years. During this period there was intense
pressure to have St. John’s Lodge come under the wing of the Grand
Lodge of Canada.
March 14, 1872.
At this time R.W. Bro. Barbour, D.D.G.M. of Ottawa District, G.L.C.
ruled that Lodges under his jurisdiction were not to admit as
visitors, members of St. John’s Lodge and the secretary was directed
to communicate with the Grand Lodge of Ireland. The discussions,
motions, and counter motions as to which Grand lodge to belong to
were to continue for many more years.
1873.
The Lodge moved into the Lodge Hall at L’Orignal and in 1874 the
building was leased from John Miller.
November 26, 1887.
After many surrenderings of the warrant and reversals, the following
was passed. “Resolution passed 8-2 that the present warrant be
surrendered and come under the Grand Lodge of Canada... It was also
resolved to move to Vankleek Hill.”
December 27, 1887.
Last meeting under the Irish Charter. Held at L’Orignal. Ontario.
December 18, 1888.
R.W. Bro. David Taylor and other Grand Lodge of Canada officers were
received with grand honours and warrants were exchanged.
1891-1930.
The Lodge moved several times within Vankleek Hill. From the Orange
Hall to McCallum Hall in 1898. Special meetings were sometimes held
in Hawkesbury. The Lodge moved to Farmers block in 1910 and finally
to the present location in 1930.
1984.
The Lodge purchased the present
building from the Bank of Nova
Scotia and transferred the property to the Town of Vankleek Hill in
return for a 99 year lease. The building now houses the Champlain Public Library.
September 2004
St John’s held a gala 160th anniversary dinner where the guest
of honor was M.W. Bro. Donald H. Mumby, Grand Master of the Grand
Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario.
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