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History

Of

Mount Lebanon Lodge

A.F. & A.M., No 72,  B.C.& Y.R.

Instituted May 30^th, 1913

Constituted June 26^th, 1914

At the outset, there were several jurisdictions that flourished under various Grand Lodges in British Columbia. The major ones being the Grand Lodge of Scotland and the Grand Lodge of England.

On December 26^th, 1871 these two jurisdictions within British Columbia amalgamated to form the Grand Lodge of British Columbia. This comprised some 295 Masons divided amongst 8 Masonic Lodges.

The Lodge that is part of our history is Mount Hermon #491 on the registry of the Grand Lodge of Scotland. After the Grand Lodge of British Columbia came into being, it became known as Mount Hermon #7 British Columbia Registry. Mount Hermon practiced what was called the “American” ritual, later to become known as “Ancient American” and finally became referred to as “Ancient” ritual.

A number of members saw the need for a Lodge in the Mount Pleasant area of Vancouver (around 7^th and Main Street) which was a rural area at the time. In July of 1894 Acacia Lodge #22 was formed by members of Mount Hermon #7 and met in the I.O.O.F. Hall at 2214 Main Street.

W. Bro. M. R. Wells and a number of brethren from Acacia Lodge #22 who were resident in the Eburne and Point Grey areas, then suburbs of Vancouver, saw a need for a Lodge in the Eburne – South Vancouver area. The Eburne postal area included what is now Marpole and the North East area of Sea Island (The name Marpole did not yet exist).

They met in the early fall of 1912 to consider the formation of a Masonic Lodge in that district. Their unanimous decision was that a Lodge should be formed and on December 26^th, 1912, a petition for dispensation to form a Lodge was presented to Most Worshipful Master John M. Rudd, Grand Master.

The Brethren were advised to work for a period as a Lodge of Instruction. This advice was gladly accepted. The Grand Master accordingly granted his permission and a commission was issued to Most Worshipful Brother F. Bowser, P.G.M. to act as supervisor.

The first meeting, as a Lodge of Instruction, was held in the I.O.O.F. Hall in Eburne, B.C. on February 27^th, 1913. Most Worshipful Brother F. Bowser, P.G.M. presiding. The following were appointed and other preliminary matters considered:

            Worshipful Master -- Worshipful Brother M. R. Wells

            Senior Warden -- Worshipful Brother John Gavin

            Junior Warden -- Brother L. J. M. Darcy

At the meeting held on May 15^th, 1913, the Worshipful Master designate reported having submitted a petition for dispensation to form a Lodge to the Most Worshipful Grand Master. The petition was recommended by Most Worshipful Brother F. Bowser, P.G.M. was signed by 34 Brethren.

The Grand Master favourably considered the petition and on May 26^th, 1913, he issued a dispensation to form the Lodge to be known as Mount Lebanon Lodge U.D. On May 30^th, 1913, the work was exemplified to the satisfaction of the D.D.G.M., Right Worshipful Brother W. C. Ditmars, who then, ably assisted by Most Worshipful Brother F. J. Burd, I.P.G.M., invested the officers.

On May 30^th, 1914, a petition for a Warrant of Constitution was submitted to Grand Lodge. The Warrant of Constitution was duly granted at the ensuing annual communication, and the Lodge was given the number 72 on the Register of the Grand Lodge of British Columbia.

On June 25^th, 1914, by command of Most Worshipful Brother James Stark, Grand Master, a Regular Communication was held for the purpose of Constituting the Lodge and installing its officers, namely:

·         Worshipful Master --- Worshipful Brother M. R. Wells

·         Senior Warden --- Worshipful Brother John Gavin

·         Junior Warden --- Brother L. J. M. Darcy

·         Treasurer --- Brother R. Robinson

·         Secretary --- Brother R. J. Roche

·         Chaplain --- Brother G. H. Goehler

·         Senior Deacon --- Brother J. Murdoch

·         Junior Deacon --- Brother H. Birnie

·         Director of Ceremonies --- Brother A. Macduff

·         Organist --- Brother A. Sellar

·         Steward --- Brother F. Lawrence

·         Steward --- Brother G. H. Lawrence

·         Inner Guard --- Brother S. G. Churchill    

·         Tyler --- Brother A McRae

They met in the I.O.O.F. Hall in Eburne, just east of what is now the Metro Theatre.

The first candidate initiated was Brother Samuel G. Churchill. The degree was conferred by Most Worshipful Brother F.  Bowser, P.G.M.

Worshipful Brother M. R. Wells, the first Worshipful Master, died February 12^th, 1923.

Worshipful Brother John Gavin, the first Senior Warden, died June 1^st, 1924.

Brother L. J. M. Darcy, the first Junior Warden, demitted on November 28^th, 1918.

Most Worshipful Brother Francis Bowser, P.G.M., died September 25^th, 1929.

The untiring efforts of these Brethren, who so securely laid the foundation of the Lodge, will long be remembered by the members.

Over the years, Mount Lebanon has been the Mother Lodge of at least 5 Daughter Lodges:

1.     Mount Moriah #102        June 21, 1923

2.     Zenith #104                   June 21 1923

3.     Emerald #134                June 17, 1948

4.     Richmond #142             July 18, 1951

5.     Mosaic #162                 June 23, 1955

Mosaic Lodge #162 amalgamated with Crown Lodge to become Mosaic & Crown and has since amalgamated with Emerald Lodge #134 to become Pythagoras Lodge #194.