Website http://www.sackville137.ca/
The seed for Sackville Lodge was planted in the winter of 1986 during a conversation between Brother James Cullen, then Worshipful Master of Bedford Lodge #104, and Most Worshipful Brother Harold Horne, then Chairman of the Condition of the Order. Brother Horne expressed that he felt there was enough population and interest in the communities of Timberlea and Sackville to warrant the forming of new Lodges in these communities. Brother Cullen, with his interest rekindled, expressed his thoughts to other Brothers who encouraged and supported his views.
A petition for a Warrant to establish a new Lodge in Sackville, Nova Scotia, was posted in Brother Wilmer Clouston’s shoe repair shop at Downsview Mall, Sackville. In short order, the petition had 25 signatures and the required fees were collected. Brother George Higgins of Bedford Lodge #104 communicated and corresponded with The Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia and Dispensation to form a Lodge was granted at the Annual Communication of Grand Lodge on the 3 June 1986.
The first meeting of Sackville Lodge Under Dispensation was held on 6 October 1986, with Brother George Higgins as Worshipful Master, Brother James Cullen as Senior Warden, and Brother Wilmer Clouston as Junior Warden. By-Laws were drawn up and Election of Officers was held on the 2 November 1987.
Installation of Officers, the Consecrating and Constituting of Sackville Lodge #137 was held on 5 December 1987, and a Warrant was issued. The Warrant on the wall has 28 names on it compared to the initial petition, which had 25 signatures, as there were three affiliations while Under Dispensation.
Meetings of Sackville Lodge were originally held in the Bedford Masonic Lodge premises until September 1995, when it was decided by the Brethren to move into the community of Sackville. The Sanctuary of Old Knox United Church was renovated to suit the purpose of a Lodge. The year 1995 was one of many changes, and a great deal of hard work for the members of Sackville Lodge. Worshipful Brother Gerald Graves and his slate of Officers became the second longest to hold office. This occurred as it was decided to hold the Annual Installation of Officers in April rather than in December, while moving the Regular Communications from the first Monday to the second Monday of each month.
In December 1999, Faith United Baptist Church on Gloria Avenue (off Beaver Bank Road) was purchased. Renovations were carried out to the building, and the first meeting in Sackville Lodge #137 in its current location was held on 11 September 2000. The Most Worshipful Grand Master, Bro. Arthur S. Brown, dedicated Sackville Masonic Lodge on 20 September 2000.
Sackville Masonic Lodge served the Brethren well for 14 years, under the care and management of the Sackville Masonic Building Society. Seventy-four Brothers were raised in the old building.
On Sunday, 22 March 2015, the roof of 57 Gloria Avenue collapsed under the weight of heavy snow. Many items were salvaged, but several valued artefacts were lost, including the Altar and the pillars. Reconstruction began in earnest. GMC Contracting of Fall River was selected as general contractor. There were countless meetings. Lodge sub-committees were struck to manage replacing or refurbishing regalia and contents. A cornerstone was dedicated by M.W. Bro. George O’Leary on St. John the Baptist Day 2016, with a parade, fanfare and a reception at Knox United Church. Members of the Building Society oversaw the design, reconstruction and adornment of the new structure. On 6 October 2016, the 30th anniversary of Sackville Lodge’s institution, the new edifice was dedicated by the Principal Officers of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia.
Three Brothers were raised on 4 March 2017, and the first installation in the new building occurred on 10 April 2017. The Brethren of Sackville Lodge look to the future. In the words of past-historian R.W. Bro. R. Dennis Kaiser, “a mighty tree continues to grow from that first seed.”
- Website: http://www.sackville137.ca
- Meeting Night: Second Monday, except July, August & October
- Meeting Time: 7:00pm
- Installations Time: 13 May 2023 7:00pm
- Installations Location: Sackville Masonic Temple, 57 Gloria Avenue, Lower Sackville, NS
- Lodge Number: 137
- Street Address: 57 Gloria Avenue
- Town/City: Lower Sackville, NS
- Map for Sackville No. 137 – Sackville
- Secretaries: Thomas Wallace, E-Mail: secretary@sackville137.ca
