joppa lodge vancouver first skyscraper 1927

Joppa History – 1927

  • February 2, 2020

Vancouver's begins construction on its first Art-Deco skyscraper, the Georgia Medical-Dental building. 

January 12, 1927

An application to become a member of the Lodge by Initiation was received from Mr. Lawrence H. Bagg.

February 10, 1927

February 10th Brother E.G. Bockins of Unity Lodge No. 100, Vancouver made application to become a member of the Lodge by Affiliation. King Solomon Lodge No. 17 of New Westminster extended an invitation to pay them a fraternal visit of the evening of March 1st, 1927.

The First Annual Ball was scheduled to be held on the evening of March 3rd, 1927.

February 24, 1927

Right Worshipful Brother George L. Cassidy, District Deputy Grand Master District No. 2 with Grand Lodge Officers visited the Lodge during which Mr. L.E. Carlisle was instructed in the work of the Entered Apprentice Degree.

March 10, 1927

An Application from Mr. James Worshipful Champion to become a member of the Lodge by Initiation was received. Brother A.J. Smith assumed the Worshipful Master's Chair and the other Officers moved up one station for the conferring of the Entered Apprentice Degree upon the candidate Mr. Lawrence H. Begg.

April 14, 1927

Brother E.L. Carlisle after a satisfactory examination in the former Degree was admitted and instructed in the work of the Fellow Craft Degree.

April 28, 1927

Brother L.H. Bagg completed a satisfactory examination in the Entered Apprentice Degree. He was followed by Mr. J. W. Champion who being duly prepared was admitted and initiated to the Degree of an Entered Apprentice.
Afterwards Brother Bagg being duly prepared was admitted and instructed in the work of the Fellow Craft Degree.

May 12, 1927

The Worshipful Master, Officers and Members of the Lodge Southern Cross No. 44, Vancouver paid an official visit to the lodge. During which the Officers of Joppa Lodge vacated their chairs in favour of the members of Lodge Southern Cross. Brother L.E. Carlisle was then admitted, passed a fine examination in the work of the Fellow Craft Degree. Following this the Officers of Lodge Southern Cross instructed Brother Carlisle in the work of the Master Mason Degree.

June 9, 1927

Brother H.L. Bagg passed an excellent examination in the Fellow Craft Degree. The followed his being duly prepared and then raised to the sublime Degree of Master Mason.

August 11, 1927

A letter from Very Worshipful Brother W.A. DeWolfe-Smith, Grand Secretary of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of British Columbia advising that Most Worshipful Brother Frank S. McKee of Vancouver was elected Grand Master and Right Worshipful Brother R.C. Menten of New Westminster was appointed District Deputy Grand Master of District No. 2

September 8, 1927

An Application to become a member of the Lodge by Initiation was received from Mr. Clarence Melrose Willcock. Brother O.R. Merklin advised that the trustees had been able to secure a mortgage for 7% instead of the present rate of 9% being paid - this would result in savings of $38.00 per year during the life of the mortgage.

The election of Officers followed, the results being - Brother A.J. Smith, Worshipful Master; Brother O.R. Merklin, Senior Warden; Brother F. Hugh, Junior Warden; Brother C.G. Bockus, Treasurer; Brother G.S. Graves, Secretary; Brother W.J. Barge; Tyler.

Brother Fabian Hugh elected to the Board of Trustees for another three years. The Worshipful Master appointed Brother R.J. Esplin and Brother L.E. Carlisle as auditors for the ensuing year.

September 29, 1927

Right Worshipful Brother R.C. Menten, District Deputy Grand Master District No. 2 and other Grand Lodge Officers attended with Right Worshipful Brother R.C. Menten taking charge of the meeting as Installing Master whereupon he invested Worshipful Master elect Brother A.J. Smith, followed by his slate of Officers for the forthcoming year, as follows –

Brother A.J. Smith Worshipful Master; Worshipful Brother J.D. MacMillan Installing Past Master; Brother O.R. Merklin, Senior Warden; Brother F. Hugh Junior Warden; Brother C.G. Bockus Treasurer; Brother G.S. Graves Secretary; Brother W.S. Huff Chaplin; Brother J.C. Cornish Director of Ceremonies; Brother J.V. Beldam Senior Deacon, Brother W.J. Moffatt Junior Deacon; Brother G. Coulson Inner Guard; Brother L.J. Burton Senior Steward; Brother H. Lee Junior Steward; Brother L.A. Shepherd Organist; Brother W.J. Barge Tyler.

At the conclusion of the Installation ceremony Right Worshipful Brother R.C. Menten, District Deputy Grand Master District No.2 expressed " ... how pleased he was with the progress made by the Lodge and wished it every success in the years to come."

October 13, 1927

Invitations were received from Ancient Light Lodge, Ladner and Prince of Wales Lodge, and Southern Cross Lodge - to attend their Installation of Officers.

November 10, 1927

Brother L.C. Carlisle passed examination in the work of the Master Mason Degree. Mr. M.C. Willcock duly prepared was instructed in the work of the Entered Apprentice Degree. At this meeting Brother Fabian Hugh spoke of having a photograph of the Charter Members - he was appointed a member of the committee to Investigate this proposal.

December 8, 1927

Eureka Lodge No. 103 Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of Langley Prairie invited the Officers and Members to attend their Installation of Officers.

An Application for Affiliation was received from Brother John Edmond Bedford of Meridian Lodge No. 83, Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, Grand Registry of Saskatchewan.

Worshipful Master A.J. Smith on this occasion installed Very Worshipful Brother MacMillan as Immediate Past Master and then presented him with his Past Master's Jewel. Brother O.R. Merklin presented the question of improving the lower hall so that it could Serve as a banquet hall. Following considerable discussion, a committee composed of the trustees was appointed to see this work was completed.

Brother Junior Warden Champion was admitted and examined in the Entered Apprentice Degree. The duly prepared Brother Champion was admitted and instructed in the work of the Fellow Craft Degree. This was the final Degree work completed in the year 1927.


s2Member®