Kerr Lodge No. 230, A.F. & A.M., G.R.C., Barrie Ontario Canada


Designed by:	Brief History of KERR LODGE, A.F. & A.M. No. 230, G.R.C. Kerr Lodge was instituted at Belle Ewart, Ontario under dispensation from Grand Lodge, on April 14th 1870, and received its warrant on July 14th of the same year. The Lodge was constituted in a building on the premises of E. V. Hanmer, with J. W. H. Wilson a lawyer of Bradford, as presiding Master. It was named after Senator J. K. Kerr, a past Grand Master. For twelve years the Lodge functioned at Belle Ewart, but due to changing conditions, caused by railway extension and business depressions, it was very difficult to carry on. (The membership on December 31, 1881 was 25). So in 1882 on the recommendation of the D.D.G.M. the Lodge was transferred to Barrie. Grand Master, R. T. Walkem, visited the Lodge on April 9, 1890. In June 1890 the Lodge Officers were installed by the Deputy Grand Master R. W. Bro. John Ross Robertson. The year 1892 was a memorable one for Kerr Lodge. The minutes record that: In 1892 a joint meeting of Kerr and Corinthian Lodges was held to welcome the Grand Master, John Ross Robertson on an official visit to the Barrie Lodges. In May 1892 the By-Laws of Kerr Lodge were amended to have installation on St. John's night on June 24. Members owing dues were not eligible to vote at election. In August 1892 W. Bro. Downie, a past Master of Kerr Lodge, was elected Grand Master of British Columbia. Joint meetings of Kerr and Corinthian Lodges were frequent occurrences. Such a meeting was held in March 1903 to receive M. W. Bro. J. E. Harding, Grand Master on a visit to Barrie and in November 1903 a petition signed by several Kerr Lodge Brethren was presented requesting the W. Master to appoint a committee to consider amalgamation of the two Barrie Lodges. This request was granted and in April 1904 a motion approving amalgamation of the two Lodges was approved on recommendation of a Joint Committee. However, amalgamation was subsequently not approved in Corinthian Lodge, and communication so advising Kerr Lodge was read in Lodge June 7, 1904. July 14, 1920 the 50th Anniversary of the Lodge was observed by a picnic in St. Vincent's Park, where a large number of members and friends enjoyed a fine program of music, races and boat trips. June 24, 1924. W. Bro. Fred Marr, who 25 years previously had been installed Master, presented the Lodge with a beautiful Master's Collar. June 16, 1927. R. W. Bro. Duff, Secretary of the Lodge for 15 years tendered his resignation owing to his removal to North Bay. April 14, 1930. Emergent meeting for the purpose of celebrating the 60th Anniversary, and to honor our Past Masters who were received in a group by the W. M. who welcomed them on behalf of the Lodge. W. Bro. J. H. Rodgers requested W. Bro. H. Merrick to assume the gavel, and on behalf of the sitting officers 1929-1930, W. Bro. Rodgers presented a beautiful set of working tools to the Lodge. March 31, 1931. The M.W. Bro. R. B. Dargavel, Grand Master, and a number of Grand Lodge Officers at an emergent meeting of Kerr and Corinthian Lodges, dedicated the newly renovated Lodge Room in accordance with the ancient usage and custom of the Craft. March 17, 1932. Mr. C. C. S. Kerr, son of the late Senator J. K Kerr, KC. Past Grand Master after whom Kerr Lodge was named, advised that he wished to donate the Grand Lodge Regalia of his father to Kerr Lodge. June 18,1942. In accordance with regulations, our ByLaws were changed to hold our regular meetings on the third Wednesday of the month and emergent on the fourth Wednesday for the duration of the War. June 24, 1944. W. Bro. J. Hood, the oldest Past Master of Kerr Lodge was presented with a 50 year Past Master's Jewel. March 15, 1945. This being the 75th Anniversary of Kerr Lodge, the sitting Masters of Corinthian Lodge, Orillia Lodge, and a number of brethren from Beaverton, Lindsay and Stayner were present. Following the Degree, the W.M. called on W. Bro. R. McVittie to make some remarks concerning the 75 years Kerr Lodge has been serving Masonry. May 17, 1945. An Emergent meeting of Kerr and Corinthian Lodges was held for the purpose of having a service of Thanksgiving to commemorate the successful termination of the War in Europe, Bro. Hon. E. C. Drury addressed the brethren in a very interesting manner. 1946. The Past Masters' Photos were ordered, put into albums as the space available for hanging in Lodge anteroom was not sufficient to continue this practice. June 14, 1948. W. Bro. M. D. Morrison presented the Lodge with a Masters' Collar, replacing the one in service for the past 25 yrs. June 15,1950. It is worthy of note that our late Br. R W. Sprott installed the officers of Kerr Lodge for the thirty·ninth year in 1949. May 20, 1954. A Motion was passed authorizing the placing of photos of Kerr Lodge Past Masters in groups on the walls of the anteroom. June 16·60; A letter received from Bro. J. A. Austin, Fellowship Lodge, Marville Lodge, France, thanking Kerr Lodge for the Altar Lights presented to their new Lodge. April 16·64; R. W. Bro. R. W. Stewart, Senior Past Master of Kerr Lodge again headed the Pastmasters on Past Masters Night. Feb. 25·65; Past Masters Night. Dir. of Cer. introduced W. Bro. L. Beaver as W.M. and R.W. Bro. R. A. W. Stewart as LP.M. W. Bro. Beaver congratulated R.W. Bro. Stewart on his being presented with his fifty year pastmasters medal. June 1966; W. Bro. L. Crook presented a Director of Ceremony Baton to the Lodge to commemorate his year as Master. Sept. 29·66; W. Bro. C. J. Allison presented a "Low· Twelve" electric gong to Kerr Lodge and through them to all Masonic bodies in Barrie. Dec. 21·67; W. Bro. C. J. Allison on behalf of the Officers of Kerr Lodge presented an altar Bible to the Worshipful Master W. Bro. H. Millar which was accepted and placed on the altar as a Centennial Project. April 18·68; Bro. F. W. Miles, Chairman of the Sick and visiting Committee presented through the W. Master to Kerr Lodge a very lovely bell for use in the fourth degree. The Railroad provided a considerable number of members in the early years. Several Degree teams of railway men have exemplified degrees and many of the 50 year Masons in Kerr Lodge have spent their careers with the Railroad. April 28, 1970 saw Kerr Lodge celebrate 100 years of continuous Masonic service at an emergent meeting called for that specific purpose. In an impressive service the W.M. and his officers were reinvested with their collars, jewels and aprons now trimmed with gold. An altar cloth, pedestal cloths and many other items were dedicated or rededicated to the Lodge through the generosity of many of the brethren. A unique event occurred in September, 1970 when a Degree team of 50 year Masons from Georgian District exemplified the first degree in Kerr Lodge. A Centennial Dinner was held on Saturday, October 31, 1970 at the Continental Inn in Barrie in conjunction with Manitoba Lodge of Cookstown and Beaver Lodge of Thornbury, who were also 100 years old in 1970. The Most Worshipful the Grand Master was Bruce B. Foster guest speaker. Kerr Lodge was honoured in the Masonic year of 1969-70 with the election of R. W. Bro. L. Crook as D.D.G.M. for Georgian District. V. W. Bro. W. J. Light was also appointed as Grand Organist. In July of 1970 Kerr Lodge was again honoured when V.W. Bro. C. J. Allison was appointed Grand Sword Bearer and V.W. Bro. W. J. Linton as a Grand Steward.

Brief History of KERR LODGE,
A.F. & A.M. No. 230, G.R.C.

Kerr Lodge was instituted at Belle Ewart, Ontario under dispensation from Grand Lodge, on April 14th 1870, and received its warrant on July 14th of the same year. The Lodge was constituted in a building on the premises of E. V. Hanmer, with J. W. H. Wilson a lawyer of Bradford, as presiding Master. It was named after Senator J. K. Kerr, a past Grand Master.

For twelve years the Lodge functioned at Belle Ewart, but due to changing conditions, caused by railway extension and business depressions, it was very difficult to carry on. (The membership on December 31, 1881 was 25). So in 1882 on the recommendation of the D.D.G.M. the Lodge was transferred to Barrie.

Grand Master, R. T. Walkem, visited the Lodge on April 9, 1890. In June 1890 the Lodge Officers were installed by the Deputy Grand Master R. W. Bro. John Ross Robertson.

The year 1892 was a memorable one for Kerr Lodge. The minutes record that: In 1892 a joint meeting of Kerr and Corinthian Lodges was held to welcome the Grand Master, John Ross Robertson on an official visit to the Barrie Lodges.

In May 1892 the By-Laws of Kerr Lodge were amended to have installation on St. John's night on June 24. Members owing dues were not eligible to vote at election.

In August 1892 W. Bro. Downie, a past Master of Kerr Lodge, was elected Grand Master of British Columbia.

Joint meetings of Kerr and Corinthian Lodges were frequent occurrences. Such a meeting was held in March 1903 to receive M. W. Bro. J. E. Harding, Grand Master on a visit to Barrie and in November 1903 a petition signed by several Kerr Lodge Brethren was presented requesting the W. Master to appoint a committee to consider amalgamation of the two Barrie Lodges. This request was granted and in April 1904 a motion approving amalgamation of the two Lodges was approved on recommendation of a Joint Committee. However, amalgamation was subsequently not approved in Corinthian Lodge, and communication so advising Kerr Lodge was read in Lodge June 7, 1904.

July 14, 1920 the 50th Anniversary of the Lodge was observed by a picnic in St. Vincent's Park, where a large number of members and friends enjoyed a fine program of music, races and boat trips.

June 24, 1924. W. Bro. Fred Marr, who 25 years previously had been installed Master, presented the Lodge with a beautiful Master's Collar.

June 16, 1927. R. W. Bro. Duff, Secretary of the Lodge for 15 years tendered his resignation owing to his removal to North Bay.

April 14, 1930. Emergent meeting for the purpose of celebrating the 60th Anniversary, and to honor our Past Masters who were received in a group by the W. M. who welcomed them on behalf of the Lodge. W. Bro. J. H. Rodgers requested W. Bro. H. Merrick to assume the gavel, and on behalf of the sitting officers 1929-1930, W. Bro. Rodgers presented a beautiful set of working tools to the Lodge.

March 31, 1931. The M.W. Bro. R. B. Dargavel, Grand Master, and a number of Grand Lodge Officers at an emergent meeting of Kerr and Corinthian Lodges, dedicated the newly renovated Lodge Room in accordance with the ancient usage and custom of the Craft.

March 17, 1932. Mr. C. C. S. Kerr, son of the late Senator J. K Kerr, KC. Past Grand Master after whom Kerr Lodge was named, advised that he wished to donate the Grand Lodge Regalia of his father to Kerr Lodge.

June 18,1942. In accordance with regulations, our ByLaws were changed to hold our regular meetings on the third Wednesday of the month and emergent on the fourth Wednesday for the duration of the War.

June 24, 1944. W. Bro. J. Hood, the oldest Past Master of Kerr Lodge was presented with a 50 year Past Master's Jewel.

March 15, 1945. This being the 75th Anniversary of Kerr Lodge, the sitting Masters of Corinthian Lodge, Orillia Lodge, and a number of brethren from Beaverton, Lindsay and Stayner were present. Following the Degree, the W.M. called on W. Bro. R. McVittie to make some remarks concerning the 75 years Kerr Lodge has been serving Masonry.

May 17, 1945. An Emergent meeting of Kerr and Corinthian Lodges was held for the purpose of having a service of Thanksgiving to commemorate the successful termination of the War in Europe, Bro. Hon. E. C. Drury addressed the brethren in a very interesting manner.

1946. The Past Masters' Photos were ordered, put into albums as the space available for hanging in Lodge anteroom was not sufficient to continue this practice.

June 14, 1948. W. Bro. M. D. Morrison presented the Lodge with a Masters' Collar, replacing the one in service for the past 25 yrs.

June 15,1950. It is worthy of note that our late Br. R W. Sprott installed the officers of Kerr Lodge for the thirty·ninth year in 1949.

May 20, 1954. A Motion was passed authorizing the placing of photos of Kerr Lodge Past Masters in groups on the walls of the anteroom.

June 16·60; A letter received from Bro. J. A. Austin, Fellowship Lodge, Marville Lodge, France, thanking Kerr Lodge for the Altar Lights presented to their new Lodge.

April 16·64; R. W. Bro. R. W. Stewart, Senior Past Master of Kerr Lodge again headed the Pastmasters on Past Masters Night.

Feb. 25·65; Past Masters Night. Dir. of Cer. introduced W. Bro. L. Beaver as W.M. and

R.W. Bro. R. A. W. Stewart as LP.M. W. Bro. Beaver congratulated R.W. Bro. Stewart on his being presented with his fifty year pastmasters medal.

June 1966; W. Bro. L. Crook presented a Director of Ceremony Baton to the Lodge to commemorate his year as Master.

Sept. 29·66; W. Bro. C. J. Allison presented a "Low· Twelve" electric gong to Kerr Lodge and through them to all Masonic bodies in Barrie. Dec. 21·67; W. Bro. C. J. Allison on behalf of the Officers of Kerr Lodge presented an altar Bible to the Worshipful Master W. Bro. H. Millar which was accepted and placed on the altar as a Centennial Project.

April 18·68; Bro. F. W. Miles, Chairman of the Sick and visiting Committee presented through the W. Master to Kerr Lodge a very lovely bell for use in the fourth degree.

The Railroad provided a considerable number of members in the early years. Several Degree teams of railway men have exemplified degrees and many of the 50 year Masons in Kerr Lodge have spent their careers with the Railroad.

April 28, 1970 saw Kerr Lodge celebrate 100 years of continuous Masonic service at an emergent meeting called for that specific purpose. In an impressive service the W.M. and his officers were reinvested with their collars, jewels and aprons now trimmed with gold. An altar cloth, pedestal cloths and many other items were dedicated or rededicated to the Lodge through the generosity of many of the brethren.

A unique event occurred in September, 1970 when a Degree team of 50 year Masons from Georgian District exemplified the first degree in Kerr Lodge.

A Centennial Dinner was held on Saturday, October 31, 1970 at the Continental Inn in Barrie in conjunction with Manitoba Lodge of Cookstown and Beaver Lodge of Thornbury, who were also 100 years old in 1970. The Most Worshipful the Grand Master was Bruce B. Foster guest speaker.

Kerr Lodge was honoured in the Masonic year of 1969-70 with the election of R. W. Bro. L. Crook as D.D.G.M. for Georgian District. V. W. Bro. W. J. Light was also appointed as Grand Organist.

In July of 1970 Kerr Lodge was again honoured when V.W. Bro. C. J. Allison was appointed Grand Sword Bearer and V.W. Bro. W. J. Linton as a Grand Steward.