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As Masonic Lodges predate this country, its origins dating back to
the middle ages, so does this lodge predate the incorporation of the
village itself.
A Masonic Lodge is not a service club but rather more a fraternal
organization - its main objective is to improve the morals and
character of its members. Its purpose is to teach morality,
encourage charity, and practice worldwide brotherly love. Its
membership is open people of all religions, creeds, and ethnic and
racial origins.
A meeting for the purpose of forming a Freemason's Lodge in Maxville
was held on January 31, 1887. Minutes record that the meeting agreed
to ask Grand Lodge for dispensation to organize a Lodge, also asking
for a warrant of Constitution, and to ask Lancaster Lodge No. 207
Cornwall Lodge No. 125 and Plantagenet Lodge No. 186 for a
recommendation.
It was unanimously agreed that the Lodge be called Maxville Lodge,
that the meeting night be the second Tuesday of each month and that
the By-laws of Lancaster Lodge No. 207 be adopted pre-tem. In May
1909 the meeting night was changed to the second Friday of each
month and that night has remained the same ever since.
The Charter members were: Samuel Henry, Worshipful Master Hugh
McLean, Senior Warden, Murdoch L. Stewart, Junior Warden, Edward C.
P. Sanderson, Chaplain, Charles T. Smith, Senior Deacon, Malcolm
MacLeod, Tyler, Jeremiah C. Merkley, Junior Deacon. In addition to
the Charter members, other first officers were James A. McNaughton
(secretary), A.D. McRae (treasurer), M.W. MacGillivray (Inner
Guard).
The Charter was granted to Maxville Lodge on July 18, 1888.
The Lodge held its first regular meeting in a building known as
Boyd's Warehouse. This building was located near the present site of
the Via Rail Station. The Lodge met in the Maxville Public Hall from
1887 to 1921. The fire that decimated Maxville's Main Street also
destroyed the Hall and with it, the Lodge Room containing all the
Masonic regalia.
Temporary accommodation was arranged in the Women's tote Hall, and
on August 6, 1921, the Lodge started to meet in the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows Hall (the rental was $2.00 per night). The
first meeting in the present building, which the Lodge bought in the
early 1960s was held on November 9, 1923
The Glengarry News reported the dedication of the new hall on June
6, 1924. It stated that:
“As anticipated the Dedication of the new Masonic Hall, here in the
McKay Block on Friday night, 30th May, proved to be an outstanding
event in Masonic history in Maxville and District...[it] was
witnessed by the largest Masonic largest gathering ever convened in
Maxville.'
The Lodge celebrated its 50th anniversary in an equally large
fashion. The festivities were held in the Maxville United Church
Hall. It was at this time that the Senior and Junior Wardens' chairs
were donated by MacLean and Stewart families both of whom had
relatives who were charter members of the Lodge. There were over 140
masons present for the occasion (Glengarry News, June 18, 1937).
The Lodge celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 1987. A special
meeting was held which saw the Lodge room filled to capacity on May
28, 1987, and a banquet immediately followed. As well, the Lodge
held a memorial service at the Gordon Church in St. Elmo on
September 27, 1987 which was equally well attended.
Because Maxville reached its centennial, the Grand Lodge granted
Maxville Lodge the right to have gold-coloured trim on its members
aprons as well as on the Lodge regalia.
Maxville continues to have a Lodge which meets in the McKay block
(the old post office building on the northeast corner of Mechanic
and Main Streets). There are currently over 70 members of the Lodge
who continue to ensure that Freemasonry remains an integral part of
the community.
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