Temple Lodge No.33 - Items of Historic Interest

When researching the history of Temple Lodge we often come across items which may be of interest to members of Temple Lodge, to the Brethren of other Lodges and to geneologists and other researchers. We recently came across these items that took place between 1930 and 1939:

1930

M.W. Brother Donald Edward Kerr of Temple Lodge, No. 33, served as Grand Master of British Columbia for 1930.

"Financial Statements of Lodges

.........Temple Lodge, No. 33; Funds and Property: $8,054.64; Outstanding Dues: $378.75; Relief Granted - Members: 0; Widows and Orphans: 0; Transients: 0.........

Source:Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of B.C., A.F. & A.M., 1931, page 70

"Tabular Statement of Work of the Subordinate Lodges for 1930

.......Temple Lodge, No. 33, Duncan

No. on Roll, 31 Dec. 1929: 147; Initiated: 5; Passed: 9; Raised: 9; Restored: 0; Affiliated: 2; Demitted: 3; Suspended: 0; Died:2; Rejected: 2; Entered Apprentices: 1; Fellow Craft's: 3; Master Masons on Roll, Dec 1930: 154; Increase: 7

Lodge Secretary: C.W. O'Neill.................."

Source:Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of B.C., A.F. & A.M., 1931, page 62

"................Temple Lodge, No. 33 - On January 14th [1930], I had the very great pleasure and honour of assisting Rt. Wor. Bro. Dr. D.E. Kerr, D.G.M. to install the officers of his own Lodge. The event was especially marked by the presence of many distinguished Masons from up-Island points, Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Chemainus and Alberni. It was indeed a very great pleasure to meet these Brethren, their attendance at Temple Lodge whilst being rather unusual, was due to the activities of Rt. Wor. Bro. Kerr amongst the up-Island Lodges.

On May 13th [1930] I made an official visit to this Lodge to witness the conferring of the Entered Apprentice Degree on two candidates by Wor Bro. Horsfall and his Officers, the very impressive and word perfect manner in which the degree was exemplified indicates the deep interest each officer takes in the preparation of his part in the ceremony. I had the pleasure of the company of some 24 or 25 of the Worshipful Masters, and Officers of Sister Lodges in and around Victoria. After a social half hour and a Buffet Supper we journeyed back to Victoria arriving home in the sma' hours all satisfied that it was good to be there...........

Robert Hetherington , D.D.G.M. No.1 District., Victoria, B.C., June, 1930"

Source:Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of B.C., A.F. & A.M., 1930, page 77-78

1931

".......January 13th, 1931 - Accompanied by the Most Worshipful the Grand Master [note: the Grand Master for 1930-31 was M.W. Brother Donald E. Kerr, a member of Temple Lodge, No. 33] who installed the Worshipful Master and Officers of Temple Lodge, No. 33 at Duncan, B.C........

March 10th, 1931 - Visited this Lodge [Temple Lodge, No. 33] accompanied by a goodly number of Past Masters and received a very sincere and fraternal reception. Wor. Bro. Powel and his officers conferred the Entered Apprentice Degree in a capable manner. This Lodge is to be congratulated on having so many Past Masters keeping up their interest in Freemasonry. Most Worshipful Brethren Stephen Jones and Robert Baird addressed the Brethren which was much appreciated.......

M.H. Taylor, D.D.G.M. No.1 District., Victoria, B.C., June, 1931"

Source:Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of B.C., A.F. & A.M., 1931, page 84-85

1932

"............Temple Lodge, No. 33, Duncan, Installation, January 12th, 1932.

Official Visit, May 10th, 1932. W. Bro. E.H. Peterson and Officers exemplified the Second Degree. W. Bro. F.A. Willis, Senior Grand Deacon, delivered a striking and beautiful address after supper. Many Victoria Brethren came to be with me at my Mother Lodge...

Hugh G.E. Savage, D.D.G.M. No.1 District., Victoria, B.C., May, 1932"

Source:Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of B.C., A.F. & A.M., 1932, page 32

1933

"Financial Statements of Lodges

.........Temple Lodge, No. 33; Funds and Property: $9,329.19; Outstanding Dues: $462.25; Relief Granted - Members: $63.00, Widows and Orphans: $23.80, Transients: 0, Total: $86.80.......

Source:Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of B.C., A.F. & A.M., 1934, page 71

"Tabular Statement of Work of the Subordinate Lodges for 1933

.......Temple Lodge, No. 33, Duncan

No. on Roll, 31 Dec. 1932: 145; Initiated: 1; Passed: 1; Raised: 1; Restored: 1; Affiliated: 0; Demitted: 11; Suspended: 5; Died:2; Expelled: 0; Rejected: 2; Entered Apprentices: 2; Fellow Craft's: 1; Master Masons on Roll, Dec 1933: 129; Increase: 0; Loss: 16

Lodge Secretary: Alfred Edward Green, P.M................."

Source:Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of B.C., A.F. & A.M., 1934, page 64

1934

"Financial Statements of Lodges

.........Temple Lodge, No. 33; Funds and Property: $10,052.29; Outstanding Dues: $328.28; Relief Granted - Members: 0, Widows and Orphans: $45.00, Transients: 0, Total: $45.00.......

Source:Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of B.C., A.F. & A.M., 1935, page 60

"Tabular Statement of Work of the Subordinate Lodges for 1933

.......Temple Lodge, No. 33, Duncan

No. on Roll, 31 Dec. 1933: 129; Initiated: 0; Passed: 0; Raised: 2; Restored: 0; Affiliated: 0; Demitted: 10; Suspended: 2; Died:0; Expelled: 0; Rejected: 1; Entered Apprentices: 0; Fellow Craft's: 2; Master Masons on Roll, Dec 1934: 119; Increase: 0; Loss: 10

Lodge Secretary: Alfred Edward Green, P.M................."

Source:Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of B.C., A.F. & A.M., 1935, page 52

"...........Installation, April 10th, 1934 - On this occasion thirty-five Brethren of Victoria made the trip to Duncan to extend congratulations to the Master and his Officers and wish them success during their year of office.

Official Visit - Accompanied by a number of Past Masters and Masters and Wardens of the Victoria Lodges we journeyed to Duncan to pay a visit to Temple Lodge. There was no degree work on, but I have witnessed the Degree work on other occasions in this Lodge and it is very excellent. Harmony prevails in this Lodge as the election of Officers, the work of the evening, were all unanimous............

William H. Bland , D.D.G.M. No.1 District., Victoria, B.C., June, 1934"

Source:Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of B.C., A.F. & A.M., 1935, pages 92

"......September 11, 1934 - Official visit when the W.M. conferred the F.C. degree.......

J. Taylor, D.D.G.M., District No. 1, Victoria"

Source:Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of B.C., A.F. & A.M., 1935, page 81

1935

"......April 9, 1935 - Installation of Officers.......

J. Taylor, D.D.G.M., District No. 1, Victoria"

Source:Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of B.C., A.F. & A.M., 1935, page 81

"................. There have been three Masonic church services during the year: Temple Lodge attended church in Duncan, wearing regalia, on October 13th [1935]........

Temple Lodge, No. 33, Duncan - Constituted: 1900; Ritual: Scotch; membership - 119; Average Attendance: 30

September 20th [1935] - The W.M., Officers and some members of Temple Lodge visited Nanaimo Lodge, No. 110. I was pleased to accompany them and to witness the officers of Temple Lodge conferring the Second Degree.

October 8th [1935]- I commented on the Fellow Craft Degree which had been conferred at Nanaimo, speaking at greater length on "Precious Jewels".........

Philip Hughes, D.D.G.M., District No. 1, Victoria, May 28th, 1936 "

Source:Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of B.C., A.F. & A.M., 1936, pages 96-98

1937

".............April 13th. Installation of Officers, the large attendance being sufficient proof that Freemasonry in the Duncan area is greatly appreciated............

Robert Morrison, D.D.G.M., District No. 1, Victoria, May 29th, 1937 "

Source:Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of B.C., A.F. & A.M., 1937, page 94

1938

".............This is the Lodge that I am the Past Master of, and from which I was appointed as Deputy. I attended every meeting of the Lodge during the year, as well as most of their practice meetings and being a member of their Temple Masonic Association attended these meetings as well.

The Lodge paid off its indebtedness on their Temple this year after twenty-six years of interest charges.

April 12th, 1938. I had the pleasure of Installing W. Brother Castley as Worshipful Master and investing the other Officers of the Lodge. W. Brother Castley has been associated with me in business for twelve years, and I have known him for the duration of his life, and I was elated at seeing him sitting in the East...........

Stanley Gordon, D.D.G.M., District No. 1, Victoria"

Source:Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of B.C., A.F. & A.M., 1938, page 87

"Form 8

D.D.G.M.'s Report - Victoria District, No. 1

1. Name of Lodge Visited: Temple Lodge, No. 33

2. Place and Date of Visit: Masonic Temple, Duncan, B.C. 11 October 1938.

3. Names of those accompanying: Too many to enumerate.

4. Number present: 73; Average Attendance of Members: 30

5. Are the minutes properly kept: yes

6. Are the Treasurer's books properly kept: yes

7. Condition of Porch-book and other books: in good order

8. Examination of Forms: Correct

9. Examination of By-Laws: Last Revision in 1926. Amendments approved in 1932 and 1933.

10. Does the Lodge own its own Hall? yes

11. State of Finances in regard to Building: All clear.

12. Is the Hall well lighted, ventilated and situated for the purposes of Masonry? Yes.

13. value of Hall, furniture, library etc: $10,894.11

14. Are the bulding and furniture insured? yes

15. Amount of Work done during the year: 5 Initiations, 5 Passings, 6 Raisings

16. Are there any other matters you would like to present? A splendid Masonic spirit in this Lodge. Victoria Brethren love to viosit temple Lodge. 135 present when I installed their Officers on April 11th [1939]. The Worshipful Master has been most regular in attending Masonic functions in Victoria although living in Lake Cowichan, 60 miles away. Considering the question of a new tempel as larger accomodation would be an advantage. Business affairs in competant hands and well looked after. The Degree work shows intelligent study and careful preparation on the part of the Officers and is peformed in an impressive manner.....

F.A. Willis, D.D.G.M., Victoria District, No. 1, Victoria, 31st May 1939"

Source:Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of B.C., A.F. & A.M., 1939, page 77