Freemasonry is considered among the oldest continued organizations in the world, and it may even be one of the longest-serving organizations in north Halton as the Walker-Friendship Masonic Lodge celebrates its 150th anniversary.
The sesquicentennial celebration was marked with a dinner at the Acton Legion on Saturday (Oct. 26), featuring congratulatory remarks offered by Masonic brethren and local dignitaries, including Halton Hills Mayor Ann Lawlor and Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott. Worshipful Master Kyle Kay was on hand to accept the awards on behalf of the Lodge members.
“I thank and I congratulate the members of Walker-Friendship Lodge for living their principles, because you in turn have significantly contributed to the well-being and community spirit of north Halton and Halton Hills. Your service and atmosphere have made a lasting impact, and we are grateful,” said Lawlor.
Arnott echoed a similar sentiment saying, “On behalf of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and the people of Wellington-Halton Hills, I want to express my congratulations to all of you and I want to wish all the very best in your future endeavours.”
The evening also included an insightful and informative presentation by Mark Rowe of the Esquesing Historical Society, intertwining the history between Halton Hills and the Masonic Lodge.
It was in February 1874 when members of the craft, residing in Acton, finding it difficult to visit their mother lodges, took steps to form a lodge in Acton. The name “Walker Lodge” was in honour of Worshipful Brother Hugh Walker of Guelph Lodge 258, who consented to act as the Acton Lodge’s inaugural Worshipful Master.
Following the filing of an application to the Grand Lodge in Hamilton, and approval from the neighbouring lodges, dispensation was granted on August 15, 1874, with first regular communication of Walker Lodge 321 taking place at Agnew’s Hotel the following month. Walker Lodge was transferred from the Hamilton District to Wellington in 1916.
Members of the Lodge have held an array of occupations such as doctors, farmers, and even a car dealer, all reflecting the changes that have taken place in society over the last century and a half since the local Lodge’s founding.
The Walker Lodge’s first hall was at 11 Main Street North, followed by a move to 29 Mill Street East in 1924, and then later moving to 40 Mill Street East in 1935. After 55 years of holding their meetings at the old Acton YMCA building, the Walker Lodge relocated to its current home on Lindsay Court in Georgetown as of 1986.
It was in 2006 when Walker Lodge amalgamated with the Georgetown Friendship Lodge, founded in the late-1970s, to form the present Walker-Friendship Masonic Lodge.
Today, even as many Lodges have closed their doors due to shrinking membership, the Walker-Friendship Masonic Lodge continues to remain a strong part of the community through the three main principles of brotherly love, charity and truth, with the goal of making the world a better place now, and for the next 150 years.