Seaforth's Britannia Lodge disbands, disperses $250,000 to community groups

BY SCOTT STEPHENSON

On Saturday, one of Seaforth’s oldest institutions gathered at the historic Van Egmond House Museum to complete the process of formally winding down operations after almost 160 active years engaging in community betterment. As their final act of generosity, The Masons of Britannia Lodge #170 chose to commemorate this historic conclusion by apportioning their remaining reserve funds, around $250,000, and awarding it to a number of local organizations that members felt were meritorious.

 

Seaforth’s long Masonic history began in Dec, 1864 with just a handful of local members. Five more men joined in 1865, three more shortly after that, and soon, the Grand Lodge of Canada officially issued a warrant for Britannia Lodge #170. Its first lodge master was Alexander Slemmon, a 35-year-old Scottish immigrant. In March of 1874, almost 10 years after the members first came together as a society, Britannia Lodge moved from its first gathering space to a beautifully appointed new location on Main Street, where they would remain for well over a century.

 

During the club’s lengthy tenure, Britannia Lodge counted many notable people among its numbers, including many mayors, countless reeves, and two members of Parliament. But Britannia Masons didn’t necessarily need to wield any political power to have a meaningful impact on their community - for many decades, the Masons spearheaded important fundraising campaigns for projects like Seaforth’s hospital and its arena.

 

One could look at the cessation of such a long-standing cultural association as a sad occasion, but Britannia’s final Lodge Master, Bruce Whitmore, doesn’t see it like that. “We are looking on it as a celebration, because we had 158 good years with the Lodge in Seaforth. We produced a lot of community leaders. We’re going out with our heads held high.”

 

Putting the club’s money back into other worthy organizations isn’t just a kind gesture - they’re betting on each recipient’s continued stewardship of the community. “We know we’re going to see the results of it being put to use for years! Some of it, like the bursary to the high school in Clinton, will go on for 50 years. The Lions Club is going to leave their facility at the park in better shape, the Optimists Club is going to have brand new, energy-efficient lights for baseball, there’s new hospital beds, three camps for kids are improving their buildings. We think we’ve left a good legacy.”