HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2015-05-14, Page 21THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015. PAGE 21.
By Liz Scott
There were few empty seats in
Northside United Church in Seaforth
earlier this month, as many of the
area (Free) Masons joined local
Masonic members in a celebratory
day commemorating 150 years of
Masonry in Seaforth.
The highlight of the day’s events
was a drama depicting the history of
Masonry in Seaforth. Many of the
local lodge members took part in the
drama, which showcased everything
from speeches to pantomime bits, to
singing, and even some ballroom
dancing. The audience was kept well
amused, and even educated, in what
was a very entertaining presentation
on not only the history of the lodge,
but Seaforth as well. Emcee Bruce
Whitmore did a masterful job of
detailing each portion as it occurred.
Britannia Lodge #170 was
established in December 1864.
There were eight initial members,
but the numbers steadily increased
thereafter on an annual basis.
The lodge officially received its
warrant for existence in 1865. It was
originally located on the corner of
Huron Road (Highway 8) and Main
Street. By sheer luck, the Masons
had just nicely moved to their
present location on the west side of
Main Street, when the infamous
Seaforth fire destroyed the very
location where the lodge had been.
The presentation walked the
audience through the emergence and
development of the lodge. Many of
the “movers and shakers” of the
opening up of the Huron tract, were
in fact Masons, so it is not surprising
that the history of the area mirrored
closely that of the lodge.
Names such as Tiger Dunlop, John
Galt, and Anthony Van Egmond
were not new to the local audience,
but their allegiance to the
brotherhood of Masonry may have
been news to many. Surprising as
well, to find out that our first Prime
Minister, John A MacDonald, had a
tie to the local Sparling brothers,
who were responsible for the
planning of Seaforth, again, all
members of the Masons.
Throughout the years, a very
significant number of mayors,
reeves, councillors, business
developers and community leaders
have been members of Britannia
#170. Many of those members were
depicted in the presentation on
Saturday. Two local lodge members
had the honor of depicting their
fathers in the presentation on
Saturday. Both Neil McGavin and
Frank Golding presented the history
of their fathers, Gordon McGavin
and (Senator) William Golding
respectively, as all four have been
members of the Seaforth Lodge.
Many customs and traditions of
the masonic life were illustrated or
explained throughout the
presentation. For example, each year
in the lodge, members take part in an
“empty chair” ceremony to honor
those who have given their lives in
sacrifice of war. On that day, the
Masons enter their sanctum counter-
clockwise, as a sign of respect
and honor for those whose
time has stopped.
In recent months, the beautifully
opulent lodge room has been in the
process of being moved downstairs
(in the same building) on Main
Street South in Seaforth. The re-
dedication of that room took place
this past Saturday, May 2, as well.
The outer façade of the building is
in the process of being restored to its
original look this year and will be
completed later in 2015.
Long known for their charitable
work and fundraising, Masons have
been a steady influence on the
community development in not only
Seaforth, but most North American
towns and cities. So, typically, the
Masons have had a long and
involved history with the town of
Seaforth. Seaforth became a village
just two years after the lodge came
into existence. Closely tied
throughout the years, the
relationship has made the two
irrevocably aligned. It is very
doubtful that one would have existed
without the support of the other.
Several locals play role in Lodge’s anniversary
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