In The Beginning
Concord Lodge through the years has been known as "The Travelling Salesman's Lodge" and basically, this was the reason for its birth. Due to the transportation of the day (1921), travellers were not able to attend a home lodge as they wished.
The opening of the Historical Register states:
"The idea of forming a Lodge for the accommodation of Commercial Travellers, arose from casual conversation between brothers Claffy & Dingle. These brethren were both attached to Lodges outside the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Alberta, & on comparing notes found that it was impossible for them to visit lodges in Calgary, owing to the nature of their occupation which left them free on Saturday nights only. No Lodges in Calgary held meetings on Saturday evenings.
Concluding that other commercial travellers desirous of attending their Lodges would find relief in the formation of a Lodge designed to meet at convenient seasons, these brethren discussed the matter with others of their own profession & it was decided to call a meeting with a view to gaining the desired end."
It is reported that the above casual conversations were held in a hotel room in Lethbridge. Word was passed out among the travellers and a meeting was called for April 24th, 1921 at the Masonic Temple, Alexander Corner in Calgary. This was a meeting room above Liggett's Drug Store at the corner of 8th Avenue and 1st Street SW where The Bay now stands.
Attending this meeting and the prime organizers of the foundation of our Lodge were Brothers Claffy, Dingle, Maxey, Ellis, White, Dean, Dobie, Cameron, Harberg and Truesdale. Assisting them to form the Lodge was Wor. Bro. S.A. McCracken of Perfection #9.
So effective was this meeting that the following decisions were made:
That an effort be made to form a Lodge.
That the Rite to be used should be that known as the "Canadian Rite"
That the three principle officers should be,
Worshipful Master Bro. W. Claffy Senior Warden Bro. W.H. Dingle Junior Warden Bro. James Maxey On May 21st 1921, a further meeting was held and the remaining offices were filled.
On May 29th 1921, Rt. Wor. Bro. John Gillespie, the District Deputy Grand Master, finding all conditions required by the Constitution had been met, signed the Petition for Dispensation.
At a meeting held on June 18th 1921, "...it was finally decided that the Lodge should be known as Concord Lodge"
The use of the word "finally" in the historical record seems to indicate that considerable discussion about the name must have taken place before the decision was made.
On July 2nd 1921 the Lodge was instituted with the ceremony being carried out by R.Wor. Bro. D.O. McHugh, DDGM. A distinguished gathering of Grand Lodge Officers were present, including MW Bro. J. Watson Younge, Grand Master. The sister Lodges in the City were well represented. One hundred and five brethren signed the register that evening.
The first initiation into Concord Lodge took place on the 24th of September 1921 when David Fitz William Clark, a traveller, was initiated. He took his second and third degrees on the 5th of November and the 3rd of December 1921, respectively.
The Worshipful Master of Perfection #9 had done a great deal in assisting the formation of Concord and the Historical Register notes that on October 1st 1921, "honorary membership was conferred on W.Bro. S.A. McCracken, W. M. of Perfection # 9 as a token of appreciation of his untiring efforts on behalf of our Lodge." (This honorary membership was cancelled by resolution of Lodge on the 5th of March 1938).
It is also noted in the Historical Register that on October 1st, 1921:
"The Lodge decided to link up immediately with the Masonic Board of Relief".
A link that continues to the present day.
The last meeting held under dispensation took place on the 6th of May 1921 and the Secretary was instructed to surrender records to the Grand Lodge of Alberta.
On June 24th 1922 the Lodge was regularly Constituted by the MW the Grand Master MW Bro. Frederick S. Selwood with the officers being installed by RW Bro. S.Y. Taylor, Grand Secretary. The Lodge Charter under the number 124 was presented on this auspicious occasion. Thirty six members and 82 visitors signed the Register for a total of 118 for a meeting that commenced at 3:00 pm and adjourned for a banquet at 10:00 pm. (There was a break from 5:15pm to 7:30pm). A great evening of fraternal interaction.
On 2nd December 1922, the first demit issued by Concord #124 was issued to Bro. W.G. Hicks, Charter Member, who had taken up his residence in Winnipeg.
The passing of a Brother is recorded in a calligraphic memorial in the Historical Register
In Memory
of
Bro. Arnold F. GeorgeBorn Feb 14th 1864 A.D. #5864 A.L.
at Birmingham, England.
Raised in Porcupine Lodge #506. S. Porcupine. Ont.
Affiliated with Concord Lodge 124 March 3d 1923 A.D. 5923 A.L.
Died March 17th 1925 A.D. 5925 A.L.Bro. George was one of our most highly respected and enthusiastic members. He served as Chaplin during the year A.D. 1924~A.L. 5924, but his love for the Lodge was so great that he was prepared to sacrifice personal honors for its benefit, and he could not be persuaded to carry on an Office, which he filled with dignity, because he considered he was unable to do full justice to the working owing to a personal infirmity.
At all times he was prepared to do anything in his power to help with his wise counsel and to lend the aid of his mature experience.
"His death was untimely and his brethren mourn." But the tenets and beliefs of Ancient Free Masonry were firmly impressed on his heart and mind ~ more especially the hope of a resurrection ~ that we mourn not without hope.
We leave our brother resting until our reunion in the Grand Lodge above, where the world's Great Architect lives and reigns for ever and ever.
So mote it be
(sgd) F.V. Truesdale
Worshipful Master ~ Concord Lodge #124 A.F & A.M.Calgary, March 21st A.D. 1825 ~ A.L. 5925
On the meeting of February 6th, 1926, a presentation was made to Bro. Gilbert Tremeer, Junior Warden, by W.Bro. Truesdale as a mark of esteem and in the Historical Record for August 5th, 1926, shows the Universality of the Fraternity and the concern for a "travelling" Mason.
"An emergent meeting was held for the purpose of attending the funeral of our late Bro. H.H. McRoberts of Robert King Stewart Lodge, New Stevenson, Scotland.
The Lodge Services at the grave side were very ably taken by W.Bro. S.A. McCracken."
The entry of January 1st, 1927 bears some mention. The fact that Lodge was held on the first day of a year and that all officers except one were present are of note. Also of note, is an entry but one that emphasizes that, unfortunately, it was necessary to discipline a member of the Lodge.
"Bro. Herbert W. Reeder being charged with "unmasonic conduct" was found guilty and sentenced to Indefinite Suspension."
On April 2nd 1927, it was recorded:
"The Lodge voted favourable in support of proposal to construct a Masonic Temple which is contemplated by eight city Lodges" (Our present home).
At the August 27th, 1927 meeting, W.Bro. Ellis gave notice of Motion that at the next meeting he would move "that Concord Lodge No. 124 G.R.A., A.F. & A.M. become incorporated under the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge, and immediate steps be taken to accomplish same".
W.Bro. Ellis made this motion, seconded by R.W. Bro. McCracken, at the meeting held on October 1st, 1927. The Motion was carried.
However, the Incorporation documents which are held in Lodge records show an incorporation date of the 24th of December 1954.
At the November 5th 1927 meeting, W. Bro. Maxey started a drive for funds for the new Masonic Temple. The beginning of our present Freemasons' Hall in Calgary.
The traditions of our Ladies' Nights go back many years and the first reference in the Historical Register is found under the entry for December 3rd, 1927:
"Our Annual Ladies Night was held in Hillhurst Lodge Bldg. November 26. Wild game dinner including Ducks, Hungarian Partridge & Venison was supplied. A fine program with dancing finished a splendid evening."
Junior Wardens please note the sumptuous repast
The Hillhurst Lodge Building referred to was the King George Lodge Hall at 1126 Kensington Road NW. Although King George now have a Lodge Hall in SW Calgary, the original NW location is still standing. The entry through the main front doors takes you to a Speciality Coffee Shop while the other front door leads into a Toy Store. A Third front entrance takes you into offices which actually occupy the former Lodge Room and the main hall downstairs. Part of downstairs is accessed through a west side door into a small restaurant.
Charity is a keystone of our Fraternity and it is noted that at the December 1st, 1928 meeting, "...a collection taken for the patients of Keith Sanitorium realized $16.50".
The Historical Record entry for December 28th 1928 is of importance and is quoted in full:
"Emergent communication for the purpose of dedicating new Masonic Temple on 12th Ave. West. This temple was erected by the following Calgary lodges;
Bow River, No. 1 Mount Lebanon, No. 54 Perfection, No. 9 Zetland, No. 83 Calgary, No. 23 Concord, No. 124 Ashlar, No. 28 Renfrew, No. 134 Dedication ceremony was performed by M.W. Bro. A.M. Mitchell, Grand Master and members of Grand Lodge."
Concord Lodge's first regular meeting in their new home took place on the 5th of January 1929 and was marked by entertaining the ladies in the banquet hall.
The move into the new hall was not accomplished without some challenge and it was at the February 2nd, 1929 meeting that "...the Worshipful Master and Wardens were given power to borrow $5,000.00 for ten years to enable this lodge (Concord) to bring its quota in the temple fund to its subscribed mark".
The decade of the '20s came to a close in a fashion which can still be recognized today with an afternoon meeting which saw three brethren being raised to the Third Degree.
This period was certainly an important one for Concord Lodge as its saw its creation and growth into an active member of the Calgary and District Masonic family. Many official visits of various lodges are recorded in the Historical Register and there is no doubt that there was a lot of enthusiasm in our Lodge.
The statistics for the period up to December 31st 1930 are:
Charter Members 30 Initiates 68 Affiliated (except Charter Members) 42 Re-Instates Total Joined 140 Deaths 4 Demits 14 N.P.D. 6 S.U.M.C. 1 Total Left 25 At the end of 1930, membership in Concord Lodge stood at 115.