Grand Master of the Free Masons of Ontario John C. Green poses for a photo at the amalgamation ceremony for the new Quinte Lodge Thursday evening. Photo: Brock Ormond/Quinte News.
The sword monitored by the outside guard at Freemasonry meetings is a ritual that has been done since the 16th century. In this day and age, the swords are not actually used, according to current members of the community. Photo: Brock Ormond, Quinte News
Community member Dave Hord’s Freemasonry ring, up close and personal. All members have these rings and wear them to meetings. Photo Brock Ormond/Quinte News.
The three chairs where current and past Grand Masters sit. Photo: Brock Ormond, Quinte News.
An apron that is worn during Freemasonry meetings. Photo: Brock Ormond, Quinte News.
A new Masonic lodge has come to fruition in the Quinte region.
Around 100 masons from the former Stirling and Franck lodges came together for a ceremony Thursday evening to celebrate the creation of the newly amalgamated Quinte Lodge.
Stirling Lodge has a history of 160 years in the area, while the Franck Lodge is 150 years old.
The Grand Master of the Free Masons of Ontario John C. Green tells Quinte News what the amalgamation means for the future of Masonry in our area.
Grand Master Green added that he and the other Masons feel optimistic about the future success of the amalgamated lodge.
He says he wants to ensure that will happen.
Green says that the main reason for the amalgamation of the two lodges was due to the reality of declining membership.
He added that consolidating into fewer lodges and stabilizing strong membership will be beneficial in the long run for the Quinte Lodge.
Green is in the midst of a two-year term. He was elected in July of 2015 and will finish his term in July of 2017.
Quinte News was able to view the interior of the lodge before the ceremony and get a sense as to how meetings and rituals are done.
A celebratory banquet dinner was held afterwards.
Freemasonry is described as the oldest and largest fraternal organization in the world, dating back to the 16th century. The members of the community are united by the common goal of bettering themselves and the greater goal of helping society. The long-standing belief of the Freemasonry community is that each man has a responsibility for improving himself while being devoted to his family, faith, country and fraternity.
Freemasonry meetings are held once a month inside the Masonic Lodge.
