DELAWARE VALLEY LODGE #358

Masonry officially began in Delaware, in 1857, with 10 sucessful years in Delaware, the warrant was moved to Mt. Brydges and in 1860 for reasons unknown, the lodge number was changed to St. John's #81.

In 1877, M.W. Bro. J.K. Kerr, Grand Master, granted dispensation to form Delaware Valley Lodge. Its 27 charter members came from St. John's #81, St. Paul's #107 and The Tuscan #195.

The original Lodge Rooms were the scene of three disastrous fires:April 1878, May 1885 and September 1922. A new Lodge Building was dedicated in 1925.

The minute books indicate that the members were continually contributing their time and talents to keep the building in repair. Lodge furniture and regalia was contributed by other area lodges as well as by our members During the very difficult times when financial help was needed, the members and many area lodges answered the call and in so doing created a very deep and lasting fellowship. The final mortage payment of $400 was made in March 1950.

The building was sold in 1985 and Delaware Valley Lodge #358, moved to Lambeth Masonic Hall.
(Excerpts from "100 years of Masonry" edited by R.W. Bro. Bern Hann & R.W. Bro. George Hotham.)



Delaware Valley Lodge No. 358 Masonry officially began in Delaware Village with the formation of St. John's Lodge No 43, which received its charter on July 27, 1857. In 1860, for reasons which have not been determined, the Lodge number was changed to 81. After 10 successful years in Delaware, the Lodge was moved to Mount Brydges, because most of the members lived in Caradoc Township, or nearer to Mount Brydges than Delaware. The first reference to the formation of Delaware Valley Lodge No. 358 was an item in the minute book of St. John's Lodge No. 81 dated March 27, 1877, that this Lodge grant leave to certain members of the Lodge and others to organize a Masonic Lodge at the Village of Delaware. As can be seen from the petition to form the Lodge, the founders were from St. John's Lodge No. 81, Mount Brydges, St. Paul's Lodge No. 107, Lambeth, and the Tuscan Lodge No.195, London. During the first century, the Lodge suffered three disastrous fires. The first occurred April 6, 1878, the second May, 1885, and the third September 29, 1922. Everything was lost in each instance. A quotation from the "History of the County of Middlesex, 1889" states: "The Delaware fire of 1885 destroyed the Western Hotel, barns, 5 horses and the Masonic Hall. The loss on the Masonic Hall was about $1,000.00". In 1886, a new building was constructed by the 27 or 28 members of the Lodge at a cost of over $900.00. Following the 1922 fire, the Lodge met in St. Paul's Lodge No. 107 Temple in Lambeth, until on April 16th, 1925, when a new Lodge Temple was dedicated by Grand Lodge Officers on the occasion of the official visit of the D.D.G.M. During the next few years, the Lodge suffered from a heavy burden of debt. The effects of the depression were felt, and very few new members joined. On February 8, 1934, the Lodge called off for ten minutes during the evening to allow the Brethren to start and warm up their cars, as the thermometer was registering -22? F. On December 8, 1938, church pews valued at $25.00 were obtained from the First Presbyterian Church, London, to improve the Lodge seating. It is interesting to note that over the years, the majority of the Lodge furnishings, regalia, and Lodge building improvements were all donated as gifts by the Brethren of Delaware Lodge. In 1985, the Lodge again had to make another move and vacate their Lodge building, and once again they joined forces, through mutual agreement with the Lambeth Temple Corporation, (the home of St. Paul's Lodge No. 107, Lambeth). The last meeting held in the Delaware Lodge room took place on September 12, 1985, and the first meeting in the Lambeth Lodge room on October 10, 1985.




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