by Dale Gilbert Jarvis, Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador

The history of Masonic fraternities in Newfoundland and Labrador is a long and rich one, with numerous lodges spread across the province.  By far the most impressive of these is the St. John's Masonic Temple, on Cathedral Street in St. John's.  The structure is the finest Masonic building in the province, and was designated a Registered Heritage Structure by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador on April 29th, 1995.

The first Lodge in Newfoundland was established in St. John's with a warrant issued December 24, 1746.  It was established under the Provincial Grand Lodge of Boston, and the Boston records state "At the Petition of Sundry Brethren Residing ... in Newfoundland, Our Rt. Worshipful Grand Master Granted a Constitution for a Lodge to be held there".

This lodge was constituted in 1750, and was still in existence in 1766, when an additional St. John's lodge was formed.  In 1774, Newfoundland Lodge #186 was established, but fire destroyed the hall in 1832, and the lodge was erased in 1859.

Lodges Benevolent St. John's #247 and Town (or Garrison) St. John's #249 were established in 1788; Town being erased in 1804, Benevolent in 1853.  St. John's Lodge #579 began working under dispensation on November 29, 1848, with their warrant dated June 5, 1840.   Lodge #579 had no meeting place of their own, and met variously at Mrs. Scalpen's boarding house, Avalon Terrace, the Golden Lion Inn, and the Albert Terrace.  Prior to 1885, the St. John's Lodge was forced to meet wherever they could find space.  One of the most common places they met was J.C. Touissant's Hotel, where they met for seven or eight years.  In 1856, they made arrangements with the Newfoundland British Society to meet in the British Hall.  In 1870, work towards their own hall began in earnest.  Money was raised, and a site was purchased on Long's Hill.

According to the Evening Telegram, the cornerstone of the new Masonic Temple on Long's Hill was laid at "high noon" on Thursday, June 11, 1885, with due ceremony.  The ceremony featured a "splendid band" from the H.M.S. Tenedos which lay in the port; the captain of which, Captain Drummond, happened to be a Mason.

After the laying of the stone, the pouring on of oil, wine, &c., and a great many other important gyrations and genuflections, only understood and appreciated by the "favoured and enlightened few" had been gone through, the brethren returned to their hall and dispersed.

The new Temple was dedicated on Tuesday, December 29, 1885.  Again, the Evening Telegram reported:

The dedication of the new Masonic Temple to-day was the occasion of a most imposing demonstration on the part of our "brethren of the mystic tie." The procession was the largest of the kind we have ever witnessed here.

Unfortunately, the Long's Hill Temple was destroyed by fire in 1892, along with irreplaceable records and documents.  However, the destruction of the Long's Hill Temple paved the way for the construction of the present Temple.   The previous building had been insured for $28,000, and the Brothers decided that it should be replaced with a larger and more beautiful building.  Construction of the Temple began in 1894, and thecornerstone was laid by Sir William Whiteway on August 23 of that year.  The Evening Telegram carried a lengthy article on the ceremonies, and included an excellent drawing of the proposed structure.

Situated on a commanding site the new Masonic Temple will form an imposing structure to ornament our city.  It is to be substantially built of brick, trimmed with stone... The style is adapted from the classical style, as will be seen by reference to The Fine Cut Presented, &c.  A broad terrace forms the approach to the main entrance on the west, which is flanked by two handsome stone columns, surmounted with globes.  Facing the main approach a tablet is let into the wall giving the names of the Lodges and time of meeting, for the Convenience of Strangers.  The angles of the building are finished with pilastered towers, finished with pediments.  The main feature of the front facade is the central tower, in which a pair of fine columns carry a handsome arch, the triple windows enclosed by these being also of stone and having the inscription "Masonic Temple" in large gilt letters, on the small arch.  The spangril over arch is ornamented with Masonic emblems, the whole being between handsome pilasters and surmounted by a magnificent pediment, in the centre of which The All-Seeing Eye, in gilded copper, overlooks the city.

The first meeting in the new hall was held November 1, 1896. The Temple was dedicated on April 23, 1897, with "Impressive Ceremonies" and "In Accordance with the Ancient Forms".  A procession of Brothers "marched three times around the Lodge to the sound of solemn music, after which came the sprinkling of salt, corn, wine and oil.

The hall was consecrated to"virtue and benevolence". Inside the Lodge room was an ornate pipe organ, which was paid for by subscription and a large cash donation by Sir John C. Crosbie.

The building itself is constructed of Acrington face brick with structural backup brick, with a stone foundation, wood roof and floor framing.   Stylistically, the building includes many classical revival motifs, including the use of pilasters, free standing columns, and multiple pediments.

The St. John's Masonic Temple is the most architecturally impressive fraternal lodge in Newfoundland, and has the distinction of being the largest brick fraternal meeting hall in the province.  As such, it holds a unique place in the architectural history of the province, and stands as an important example of Victorian lodge construction even when viewed in a much wider Canadian context.

For More Information on Lodges in Newfoundland, see:

Squires, Monica.  Lodges Study -- Final Report.  St. John's: Heritage Foundation of  Newfoundland and Labrador, 1993.

Thoms, James R.  God is Our Guide: A Brief History of the District Grand Lodge of Newfoundland of the United Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of England, 1870-1970.  St. John's, NF: District Grand Lodge of Newfoundland, 1970.