145 years of masonry in Magog
Fraternity, still little known to Francophones, Freemasonry has been part of the cultural and social fabric of Quebec for over 250 years. Fraternal organization of obscure origin, it dates from the end of the 16th or beginning of the 17th century. This society, which at first looked like a secret organism, has turned into a semi-secret brotherhood, and today it claims to be a society "that keeps certain secrets". For historical and traditional reasons, only men are admitted, regardless of race and religion.
Freemasonry is not a sect, a religion, or a political grouping, the aim of which is to control others. It is a fraternity that is dedicated to improving the moral standards of society and the well-being of others, the poor and the most disadvantaged. The Shriners, their most visible element, sponsor hospitals for sick children, including one in Montreal.
For reasons that I know little about, this organization has had problems with several religions, including the Catholic religion. Not long ago, a man who joined Masonic rites was threatened with excommunication. The position of the Church has somewhat relaxed on this subject, but again in March 2007, the Vatican reiterated its opposition to the movement by affirming that membership of Freemasonry and the Catholic Church was incompatible in the eyes of the Church because of their own mystical conception.
In Quebec, Freemasonry is overseen by the Grand Lodge of Quebec which brings together some 80 lodges, most of them Anglophone. According to the most recent observations, there are some 5 million Freemasons in the world, around 100,000 in Canada and almost 5,000 in Quebec. Few people, except perhaps my generation, know of the existence of a local Masonic lodge, Lake Magog Masonic Lodge No. 55. Established 135 years ago, this lodge was opened on May 28, 1874 under the auspices of Mount Orford Lodge in Georgeville, which emanated from the Golden Rule Lodge in Stanstead, founded in 1803.
The founding members of this local lodge were: A.W. Hoyt, George W. Ayer, Lavinus K. Drew, Philip C. Verbeck, Alphonso O. Hoyt, O.E. Young, B.T. Webb, John A. Phelan and Alvin H. Moore, all businessmen and community leaders. As of the inaugural meeting, six membership applications were submitted, including Doctors George Orlando Somers and James Burgess Hall.
This Magog Lodge currently has 74 members in good standing. The senior officers are:
Worthyful Master: Michel Anto
Past Masters: Lawrence Pye and R. Scheib
Senior Wardens:Kevin Buzzell and Keith Sager
Director of Ceremonies: James Smith
Treasurer: Robert Jarjour
Secretary: François LaRue
The place of their meetings has changed often over the years. The Park House Hotel served this purpose until it was destroyed by fire in April 1904. It was then the second floor of the Moore store (site of the Bank of Montreal), until the late 1920s. following the merger of the United Church of Canada with the Methodist Church, in 1925, the Masonic Lodge of Magog bought the Methodist Church on rue Merry Nord (Le Vieux Clocher). They use it for their own activities and authorize other community activities there. As children, we were strongly advised to cross the street if we were to pass the Masonic temple on Merry Street. Today's meetings are held the second Thursday of the month in the community hall of St. Luke's Church at 122 Des Pins Street.
Since 1857, the Freemasons of the region meet annually in a "natural" initiation lodge located on Mount Owl’s Head. The event takes place at the summer solstice. Lake Magog Masonic Lodge No 55 will celebrate its 135 years of presence in Magog on May 24 with a ceremony to be held at St. Paul’s United Church on rue des Pins. The public is invited.
Maurice Langlois
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