Chapter 2
During the latter interval, the organization of a Masonic lodge was undertaken at a meeting on June 11, 1861. It appears that a sufficient number of Master Masons had by this time, taken up their residence in the village and surrounding townships. A considerable number of Masonic Lodges had previously been established in the Province of Ontario. This is indicated by the fact that the proposed lodge in Berlin was later designated as No. 151.
The first Masonic Lodge in the County of Waterloo was instituted as Alma Lodge No. 72 in the Town of Galt. Their warrant was dated July 9, 1856 and was signed by Most Wor. Bro. William Mercer Wilson who was then the first Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario, which had been established only one year before in 1855. Earlier lodges had first been under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of England.
In due course, the required Warrant was granted on July 20, 1861, by the Grand Master, Most Wor. Bro. T. Douglas Harrington for the formation of what was designated as The Grand River Lodge No. 151. It was granted in response to a petition, signed by the following brethren:
W. D. Perine, Charles Camidge, John McDougall, E. R. Stimson, J. F. C. Ussher, R. N. Rogers, William Jaffray, M. C. Scholfield, J. S. Hoffman and Henry Muir. Other charter members were Weaker Wells, Christian Stumpf and Isaac G. Bean. To W. D. Perine was accorded the distinction of being selected as the first Master of the new lodge. He was supported by Charles Camidge as the first Senior Warden and by John McDougall as the first Junior Warden.
At this time local lodges and those farther west were grouped in Huron District. However, at a meeting of Grand Lodge on July 14, 1869, this district was divided and local lodges were then included in the new Wellington District.
Some of the early history of the lodge has been fortunately preserved in the reprinting of the by-laws from time to time. It is recorded that the original by-laws provided that the monthly meetings were to he held on the Tuesday on or before the full moon. This was primarily for the benefit of rural members in the old horse and buggy days. This provision continued in effect until it was amended on May 31, 1892. By virtue of this amendment, the monthly meetings were thereafter held on the second Tuesday of the month. It was further provided at this time that the installation and investiture of the officers should be held on December 27th, the Festival of St. John the Evangelist, instead of on the Festival of St. John the Baptist, as had been provided in the original by-laws.
It is very probable that suitable lodge quarters were not then easily available. However, temporary quarters were secured on the second floor in a building described as the original Mackie block. It is of interest to note that the owner J. A. Mackie, a few years later, occupied the Senior Warden's chair in 1869 and 1870, but he did not advance to become a Master of the lodge. The Mackie block was situated on the south side of King St. West, between Queen and Ontario Streets. More desirable quarters for lodge purposes were located shortly after, on the north side of King St. East, between Queen and Frederick. These quarters served the purpose for about eighteen years until 1879.
The first Master of the lodge, W. D. Perine, was one of the earliest industrialists in this area. He established what was then and is still known as Doon Twines. About twenty-five years later, when his plant in the village of Doon was destroyed by fire, it was re-built in the Town of Berlin. Though there was then a change in the ownership, this plant is still operating after one hundred years and is one of the many thriving industries in the present city of Kitchener. W. Bro. Perine served as Master for the first two years in 1861 and 1862. The Junior Warden, John McDougall, was then advanced to the Master's chair which he occupied in 1863. Neither of the tatter's Wardens, it appears, were prepared or available for promotion and W. Bro. Perine was recalled to carry on as Master for a second period of two years in 1864 and 1865.
In the local historical records, the first Senior Warden, Chas. Camidge is referred to as a teacher in the original grammar and common school, which had been erected in 1856 on Frederick St.. His name does not appear again as an officer of the lodge. Another charter member, Rev. E. R. Stimson, who was then the Rector of St. John's Anglican Church, is mentioned as a member of the board of trustees and later as the secretary of the grammar and common school. In 1866 Charles Hendry of Conestoga who had occupied both the Junior and Senior Warden's chairs, became the Worshipful Master. He also carried on as Master in 1867. He was followed by his Senior Warden, W. Washburn, in 186S, but he again was called back to preside as Master for an additional three year term, during 1869, 1870 and 1871. A special tribute must be paid to W. Bro. Hendry who carried the responsibilities of Master for no less than five years. He was also the first member to serve Wellington as District Deputy Grand Master.
During this interval, a number of familiar names are recorded as having served the new Lodge as Master, or as Senior or Junior Warden. They were some of the early builders, who assisted in laving the foundations of a community which has since developed into the thriving and industrial cities of Kitchener and Waterloo. It is evident that there was great difficulty in securing officer material as in numerous cases during the first twenty-five years, neither the Senior nor the Junior Warden was promoted or prepared to he advanced to a senior office. None of the Wardens who had held office during the five years of W. Bro. Hendry, reached the Master's chair, until 1872, when his Junior Warden, A. Murray was elected Master, who then served for another year in 1873.
The following year, the Junior Warden, William Hendry, was elevated to the chair of King Solomon, which he occupied also for a two year term in 1874 and 1875. W. Bro. Hendry is both a legendary and historical figure in the early history of Waterloo, and in the early development and subsequent growth of life insurance companies in the Dominion of Canada. He was one of the small group of local citizens, who with vision and initiative conceived the idea of promoting what was then to be the second life insurance company to be organized by Canadians only. The company now known as The Mutual Life of Canada, and W. Bro. Hendry became the first general manager.