A SHORT HISTORY OF ADANAC LODGE

    Several Masons living in the town of Merriton and belonging to Lodges in the Niagara District decided they should have a Lodge of their own in Merriton. On February 27th, 1922 the first of several meetings was held and in June of 1922 a request for dispensation went to Grand Lodge. The D.D.G.M. at that time R.W. Bro. J.C. Lymburner examined the officers in the work of the various degrees and recommended to Grand Lodge that dispensation be granted. Two names were suggested for the new Lodge "Adanac" and Glimmering Light" with Adanac the most favoured. On October 30th, 1922 R.W. Bro. W.F. Fawcett of McNab Lodge, No. 169 Port Colbourne installed and invested the officers of Adanac Lodge.

    The minutes of meetings of Adanac Lodge from February 27th, 1922 to an emergent meeting September 20th, 1923 were all written up in a school scribbler.

    Mountain Lodge No. 221 being the Mother Lodge of Adanac, W. Bro. Robert A. Gibson of Mountain was installed as the first Worshipful Master of Adanac.

    Original plans were to meet at 140 Oakdale Avenue but between June and September of 1922 plans changed and the first meeting was held at 337 Merritt Street. A stock company was formed among the brethren and called "Merritton Masonic Ltd." The money raised was used to purchase 341 Merritt Street. In 1956 all outstanding shares were redeemed and in 1957 the Lodge and the store below became the property of Adanac Lodge. On the evening of October 30th, 1922 the institution ceremony was held. Many Masons from neighbouring and United States lodges were in attendance.

    The building at 341 Merritt Street was sold during the summer of 1981 and arrangements were made to meet in Seymour Masonic Temple, Port Dalhousie. Our first meeting there was September 3rd, 1981. We continue to meet at Seymour Masonic Temple.

    Adanac has always made a practice of investigating Brethren who fall in arrears and if we find they are in dire straits at the time, Adanac pays their dues til they become financially stable. Adanac also holds a picnic in July and a Christmas dinner in December for members, families and friends. The widows come free to both and transportation is arranged for them. At the Christmas dinner the widows receive a Shrine Christmas cake or a box of shortbread. Widows pins have been presented to all widows.

Dated September 29th, 1998

by S.N. Hough - Historian