Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ontario and Jurisdiction -
Free and Accepted Masons
St. John's Lodge No.9
Chatham, Ontario Canada
St. John’s Lodge No. 9, was warranted in Chatham Ontario, on September 18, 1866 by the United Grand Lodge of New York. The Worshipful Master then was Noah Loggy. Many of the charter members at that time had Masonic ties to the United States before coming to Chatham. In this time period, there were a number of lodges in the area of Chatham, such as Ashlar Lodge No. 14 , in Chatham, Mount Caramel Lodge in North Buxton, and Mount Moriah Lodge in Dresden. There were many changes taking place in the Masonic jurisdictions at this time, and those changes would cause a number of those lodges to become inactive.
At the same time St. John’s Lodge No. 9 had become an established and well rooted lodge, so many of the members of those inactive lodges demitted to St. John’s No.9. The meetings at that time were held in a building that was owned by one of Chatham’s early black businessmen. During these early years, great concern was shown by the lodge about the welfare of the black community, and a great deal of benevolent work was carried out by the members of St. John’s Lodge No.9. Various fund raising efforts supported the financial benevolence that was extended to those in need. The Masonic parades were indeed a great attraction for the city of Chatham, as the lodge members, dressed in their Masonic attire, took advantage of the opportunity to display their fine marching skills that were taught to them by Mr. George Terrell.
When St. John’s No. 9 revised their subordinate lodge by-laws, and presented them to Grand Master George H. Hughes for approval, they were selected as a model of by-laws for the Grand Lodge as well as other subordinate lodges. The wisdom and knowledge that emulated from the membership of St John’s lodge is evident in the accomplishments of the years that followed. Many distinguished and influential leaders of the community were numbered on the roster of St. John’s lodge No. 9. It is documented in the Chatham Directory 1876 that the lodge, under Worshipful Master Josiah F. Scott, had a roster of 80 members. In the years that followed, this group of men saw the need to acquire their own meeting place, and so they did. A building was purchased and moved to the present location of the lodge hall at 199 Wellington St.E. This was a two story building, where the upstairs was used as the meeting hall, and the downstairs was used for social and fundraising functions. Due to age, this building in recent years has received an extensive renovation process that removed the complete top story and all of the interior and exterior walls of the lower floor. The framework that was left was wired, insulated, and the walls recovered inside and out. This work was all completed with the financial support and volunteer labor of the lodge members and their families and with the invaluable financial fundraising assistance of the members of our sister organization Electa Chapter #1 O.E.S.
Since it’s inception, St. John’s Lodge has been privileged to have been the home lodge of at least eight Grand Masters. Two of those grand Masters were from the same family. Charles Fred Robinson, Grand Master from 1937 to 1939. Thirty six years later, his son John W. Robinson was elected, and he served from 1975 to 1978. This is the only father and son to serve in the history of this jurisdiction.
St John’s Lodge No. 9 is also the only lodge in this jurisdiction at this time, that is in possession of their own meeting place.
A more extensive history of this lodge and many of the other older lodges in this jurisdiction, can be found in the book entitled “Prince Hall Masonry Ontario, 1852 – 1933 written by local historian Arlie C. Robbins. She was commissioned in 1973, by the incumbent Grand Master Robert M. Foster, and given consent by the Grand Lodge to compile the history of The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ontario and Jurisdiction. At that time , Sister Robbins had just received the appointment of Grand Historian for the Order of The Eastern Star.
This book, Prince Hall Masonry Ontario 1852 - 1933, is dedicated to the memories of two Grand Masters of the 30's. Most Worshipful Grand Master Brother Charles Fredrick Robinson and Most Worshipful Grand Master Brother James Richard Robbins, whose strict adherence to The Ancient Landmarks of Masonry and to Masonic ritualism and decorum brought dignity and pride to the work of Prince Hall Masons of Ontario during that era.
