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05/13/08 |
                 
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Carstairs Lodge No 20 A.F. and A.M., G.R.A. Carstairs, named after a town in Lanarkshire, Scotland, was originally established as the centre of a ranching community. The area is still primarily agricultural with dairy and grain growing in addition to the cattle industry. Oil and gas exploration/production and forestry activity also play a major role in the local economy. Carstairs was incorporated as a
village 15th May 1903 and attained town status on 01 September 1966.
Formation of Carstairs Lodge No 20 A.F. & A.M.
In September of 1905, RWBro. Robert Scott, WBro. Dr.W.C.Laidlaw and Bro. A. R. Shantz met in Dr. Laidlaw's office at Carstairs and discussed the idea of forming a Masonic lodge in Carstairs. They decided that if they could get enough Masons in the district willing to affiliate they would apply for a dispensation. About fifteen brethren promised support and another meeting was held in Laidlaw's office, at which it was decided to request a dispensation from Grand Lodge. The following were chosen to be the respective officers:- Robert Scott, W.M., WBro Dr. W.C. Laidlaw S.W., Bro. A.R.Shantz, J.W., and Bro. C. W. Moore, Secretary. They were instructed to make the necessary application to the Grand Lodge of Alberta. Dispensation was granted 25th December 1905, and instituted 3rd January 1906. 05 January 1906-From the Carstairs Journal “A Masonic Lodge in Carstairs” Quote Wednesday evening, 03 January 1906, was one of special interest to the members of the Masonic order in and about Carstairs, as it was the occasion of the organization of the new lodge here. The work was done in the new hall in the Briggs block. The following officers were installed by Grand Master McDonald of Calgary:- R. Scott W.M.-W.C.Laidlaw S.W.-A.R. Shantz J.W.- C.W. Moore Secretary- A.B.Buck Treasurer- A Robinson Chaplain-Jas Fraser, S.D.-O. Price J.D.-L. Clarke, S.S.-W. Embury, J.S. - T.Frazer, I.G.-R.D. Curdy O.G. After installation the new officers took their respective chairs and exemplified the work in the first degree. After listening to some remarks by the Grand Master and other prominent officers of the Grand Lodge, the lodge adjourned to a banquet at the Royal Hotel. The program of toasts was a long one, and the good cheer extended into the small hours. Carstairs lodge enjoys the unique distinction of being the second lodge installed under the jurisdiction of the new Grand Lodge of Alberta and being the first lodge installed by the first Grand Master of Alberta. The lodge starts out with a good membership and shows promise of becoming one of the strongest lodges in Alberta. The new officers are conscientious and enthusiastic and Carstairs is to be congratulated for this new lodge. Visiting Masons were as follows:- George McDonald, Grand Master of Alberta, J.T. MacDonald, D.D.G.M., W.C.Armstrong, James Winn, R.J. Stwart, R.J. Blair, W.S.Clay, W.F.W.Lent, all of Calgary, and A.F. Buttfrens, R. Hollingrove and C.L. Peterson of Didsbury. There were about forty (40) present. “Unquote” On Wednesday 3rd January 1906 the first meeting of the new lodge was held when a Dispensation from Grand Lodge of Alberta was read empowering RWBro. Robert Scott as W.M., WBro. Dr. W.C. Laidlaw as S.W., Bro.A.R.Shantz as J.W. with other duly qualified MMs to establish a lodge at Carstairs of A.F. & A.M. to be known as Carstairs Lodge. At this meeting the officers were installed and invested by Bro.W.F.Leut as D.of.C. R.W.Bro.J.T.MacDonald gave the charge. The lodge was then opened in the first degree, and the Grand Master MWBro George Macdonald was received in form. A Petition for Mr.W.Bradley was duly presented, a ballot taken and he was initiated in the mysteries of Freemasonry. From the Grand Lodge proceedings (page17, 1907) from the report of the committee on Charters and New Lodges:- This Lodge was instituted on 03 January 1906. It is particularly fortunate in numbering among its members, three Past District Deputy Grand Masters. Their work is a credit, their books in good order and we make the same recommendations in this case - that the requirement of Section 270 be waived and the Charter issued. Carstairs Lodge No 20 was consecrated on Friday, 30th November 1906 by the Grand Master, MWBro O.W. Kealy and his Officers.
11th June 1992:-First Meeting in Crossfield Masonic Hall- A notice of motion was presented “That in accordance with the Grand Lodge of Alberta, Section 306 to 08.01 that Carstairs Lodge No 20 move its Charter to Crossfield Masonic Hall Crossfield Alberta”. We also brought our (3) CHAIRS (WM-SW-JW). Bro Glen Sollid and his Officers for 1992-1993 were installed by RWBro Vic Ramsbottom. W.M. WBro. Glen Sollid S.W. WBro. D.W. Ramsbottom J.W. Bro. John Hawken Secretary/Treasurer WBro. Metro Gushaty The Charge from the N.E. was given by WBro. Sam Slater, Strathmore Lodge No 52. Bro Graham Humphrey (SW) (176) (our blind Brother who is an excellent ritualistic) gave the General Charge. 10th September 1992:- The Grand Lodge of Alberta approved the move to Crossfield Masonic Hall, Crossfield, Alberta. The newly installed and invested Officers conferred the First Degree on Mr. John Bath. 08th October 1992:- RWBro. Douglas Sherris, DDGM, made his official visit and was accompanied by the JGW, RWBro Gordon Macauley. Dispensing with Lodge paraphernalia:- The Didsbury Museum accepted the DDGM Cuffs, along with RWBro Ray Wilbur Wood PDDGM, Apron and 50year Jewel. WBro. Stan Pearson took the ceiling fans to Cremona Church, as he was the original donor. King Hiram Lodge No 21 received our “Ashlar Dollies” by accident. WBro. Jack Hildebrandt would eventually make a new set for Carstairs/Crossfield Lodge.
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This site was last updated 05/13/08
