THE HISTORY OF MAPLE LEAF LODGE

        Maple Leaf Lodge No. 103 owes its existence to the efforts of the brethren of St. George's Lodge No. 15, who sponsored its establishment with the purpose of promoting the expansion of Freemasonry in the Niagara area. As a result, Maple Leaf was instituted on July 28th, 1858. Among its Charter Members was a Brother James Seymour, who served as the first Junior Warden, and who was destined to rise to eminence in the Craft, eventually filling the office of Grand Master in 1871-72. Some of his fellow Charter Members were less successful, and either resigned or were suspended.

        The new lodge met in the same premises as St. George's at first in rooms in the Mittleberger Block, near the intersection of St. Paul and Ontario Streets. In 1859, a fire caused them to move into temporary quarters nearby, from which in 1875 they moved to the Masonic Temple newly constructed at 37-39 Ontario Street. A number of early records were destroyed in a fire at the latter premises in 1895. In May, 1955, Maple Leaf Lodge found a new home in the Masonic Memorial Temple built at 23 Centre Street to commemorate those lost in two world wars.

        Maple Leaf Lodge has sponsored the establishment of two other lodges, Mountain Lodge No. 221 at Thorold (1869) and Seymour Lodge No. 277 at Port Dalhousie (1872). The minutes of Seymour Lodge's petitioners reveal that "Maple Leaf generously voted the sum of Thirty Dollars to cover their dispensation and warrant."

A browse through Maple Leaf's minutes of bygone years shows changes of emphasis on lodge activities. During one period, there are frequent records of Masonic Funerals, for which the Lodge met, proceeded to the home of a departed brother, escorted his remains to his church and thence to the cemetery, where he was interred with masonic honours. The dispensing of relief to distressed brethren or their families was often mentioned, as were masonic picnics. Cornerstone laying ceremonies for churches and other public buildings were noted from time to time. During a later period, little else was recorded except candidates being initiated, passed and raised.

THE NEXT 25 YEARS

        The Lodge's 100th Anniversary was celebrated on October 17, 1958 with a special lodge meeting, followed by a banquet held at the Queensway Hotel. The toastmaster was V.W. Bro. James Thomson. Guests were His Worship Mayor Franklin of St. Catharines and Hon. John Smith, M.P. of Lincoln County. The master was. Bro. Richard Sher. The toast to Grand Lodge was responded to by R.W. Bro. Bert Russell.

        In the Lodge room Altar Jewels were presented by W. Bro. L.A. Grimshaw and the Master's collar by V.W. Bro. James Thomson on behalf of Mrs. Alex P. McIntosh whose husband was the Master in 1917. Officers regalia was presented by R.W. Bro. Russell and W. Bro. M.J. McComb (The collars were donated by R.W. Bro. Russell and his wife, the jewels by the Past Masters of Maple Leaf Lodge.)

        The chairman of our 125th anniversary celebrations was R.W. Bro. Wallace Secord. The masters collar which was presented to the Lodge by the widow of the master of 1917 (W. Bro. A.P. McIntosh), was refurbished as part of our celebrations and thanks to the generosity of the Past Masters, new collars were purchased for the other officers.

        Our guest for the dinner was M.W. Bro. Ronald E. Groshaw, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M. of Canada in the Province of Ontario. The D.D.G.M. for Niagara "A" was our R.W. Bro. Thornhill Lees. The Master was W. Bro. George McDonald, Senior Warden was Bro. John McIntosh and Junior Warden was Bro. Ron McVey. Both brothers McIntosh and McVey became masters of the lodge, with Bro. McVey being master three times. The toast  to Grand Lodge was made by W. Bro. Ross Carroll and responded to by M.W. Bro. R.E. Growshaw. The dinner was adjourned to Maple Leaf Lodge.

        Our lodge has participated in reunions with the three other Maple Leaf Lodges in this jurisdiction: No. 119-Bath, No. 362-Tara, and No. 600-Etobicoke. On Oct 31 1974, we were hosts to 24 brethren from these lodges. In September, 1977, several brethren went to Tara for their Centennial, and presented a set of working tools.

          In October, 1981, a number of our brethren and their ladies were among the guests at a reunion at Bath on the occasion of their 100th Anniversary, and presented a historic hand-made traveling gavel.

        Since 1971, Maple Leaf has maintained an exchange of fraternal visits with Renovation Lodge F.& A.M. No.97 of the Grand Lodge of New York, at Albion, with whom strong bonds of friendship have been established. An annual event is the golf tournament, when golfers from both lodges vie for the Archie Pierce Memorial Trophy.

        Lodge meetings are cancelled for only the most extenuating circumstances. Such was the case on January 26, 1978, when our regular meeting was called off because of the Great Blizzard, which halted all travel in our part of the Niagara Peninsula. Among those immobilized by the storm were the brethren of Coronation Lodge, Smithville, who had been invited to put on a degree that evening.

        One of our members, Brother Clifford Naylor, has the distinction of wearing the William Mercer Wilson Medal for Meritorious Service, which is the "V.C. of Masonry" in our Jurisdiction. This honour, for which very few qualify, was conferred on Bro. Naylor in 1967.

        We were particularly saddened on June 23, 1982, by the passing of Wor. Bro. Ebert Henderson at the remarkable age of 102 years. Ebert had been a member of Maple Leaf for 61 years; at the time of his birth the Lodge was only 22 years old.

        A Past Masters Jewel is presented to each Master at the end of his term in the chair. When a Past Master dies, his family will usually return the jewel to the Lodge, and it is then refurbished, to be presented and worn with pride by its next owner.

THE NEXT 25 YEARS

        In 1986 the Naylor Trust Fund was established. This fund was established by Bro. Clifford Naylor in order to allow him to communicate a few words to each new candidate. At their initiation these words are read to the candidate as they are presented with a Maple Leaf Masonic pin.

        In 1995 we progressed to the computer age by upgrading all our records to the computer. In the year 1998-99 that our R.W. Bro. Ted Woodland was D.D.G.M. for Niagara "A" plans were laid to establish a district web site. This was activated in February of the year 2000. The web site contains a page for each district lodge. Making use of this web site will present a challenge for the future.
        In 1999 the Wallace Secord  Recognition Award with its trophy was established. The intent of which is to recognize a member for being an ideal Mason. The brother is recommended by the Past Masters and balloted on by all the membership of the Lodge. There is a trophy and Register which is left open for the members and visitors to peruse. The first recipient is W. Bro. Geoff Cobb for his many dedicated years of service as an ideal Mason.

        Maple Leaf possesses a fine team of young, enthusiastic officers, and therefore a happy, successful future is anticipated. There is, however, a cause for some concern in the rate of decrease in membership caused by a high mortality rate. The big challenge to our officers now is to make Masonry, and Maple Leaf Lodge in particular, more attractive to potential candidates for membership. We look forward with interest to what the next 25 years will bring.