History
Incorporated Montrose Kilwinning Lodge 182 is one of four lodges in the Royal Burgh of Montrose. All four of the Lodges now hold their meetings in the Chapter House at 3a Upper Hall Street, Montrose and all are part of the Provincial Lodge of Forfarshire.
We are still working on refining this particular webpage, to ensure that you may have a fuller appreciation of our Lodge.
The following is a brief history of the lodge, and I hope it serves well the memory of Brother Gordon Strachan, although no longer with us, provided the essential material required for this section. We hope you find it interesting.
Lodge Montrose Kilwinning Incorporated reached it's 214th anniversary on the 5th of November 2006, but the first record of a meeting was in 1789, when 3 candidates were initiated and the Office bearers installed with William Webster was RWM.
In 1790, it is recorded that 'members of the Lodge had deserted the same and held separate meetings', with the remaining members carrying on for the ensuing year with Thomas Boyick as the RWM. In December the following year the brethren decided to make a regular and proper application to Grand Lodge for a charter, to replace the one they had, being forcibly taken from them by a former Master in conjunction with a number of brethren. It was declared that this lodge shall hereafter go under the title of the Incorporated Lodge of Montrose Kilwinning.
On December 27th 1792, it was confirmed that a Charter of Constitution and Erection of this Lodge had been obtained. The application was supported by Lodge St Peter, Montrose and Lodge St Ninian, Brechin. The Charter was signed on the 5th of November 1792 by George, Earl of Morton, Grand Master Mason and other Grand Lodge Officers. It should be noted that it was agreed that none of the members who deserted would be admitted membership of this Lodge. Thomas Boyick was the First Master.
An entry in 1793 under 'Installations' noted that after the installation "all the office bearers and Brethren present having proceeded thro' the town with lighted torches and music they again assembled to supper". Considering that Installations were always held in December, it's maybe just as well some traditions have been overlooked.
After a rocky start, the next 100 years proved to be more stable. During this period the Lodge held meetings in no less than 12 different venues within the Parish, ranging from the homes of brothers to Inns and Halls. It was in 1872 that it was decided to change part of the first set of Bye Laws, that allowed the Master to call a meeting at any time, to a more regular time, which was the first Tuesday of the month at 6:00 pm.
Joseph Hume, London was made an Honorary member of the Lodge. Possibly this is the first Honorary member as there are no record of another.
An entry in 1828 is quiet interesting in that because of an Act of Paliament an affidavit had to be made to a Justice of the Peace and the Clerk of the Peace declaring the purpose of the meetings and a list of members with dues paid. A full copy of this is in the minute book, but of interest is that in the statement given to the Government by the Clerk of the Peace is a part stating "that nothing detrimental to Church or State is transacted at the meetings of the said Lodge".
It was also an active period for Processions, not only within the Parish , but outside the county also. In 1855 the Brethren took part in the procession of laying the foundation stone at the "Dundee Industrial Schools" on the 25th October. In 1859 the Brethren walked in Procession through the town in memory of Centenary of Rabbie Burns and had supper at Brother Minton's house afterwards. A deputation was also sent to the laying of the foundation stone of Metropolitan Poor House in Edinburgh in 1867 and a deputation was sent to the laying of the foundation stone of the Albert Bridge across the Clyde River in Glasgow.
There were also funeral Lodges held. The Secretary and Depute Master died suddenly in 1868. Brother A. Moffan and PM Brother Birse also passed away. One remarkable Brother who died was Brother John Melville, who was a member for an amazing 57 years. This may not seem sor emarkable in todays current enviroment, but for the late 19th Century, that's quite something.
Strangely omitted from the Minutes for 1892 was the mention of the Lodges Centenary? With the 19th Century slowly dwindling away, the new dawn of the 20th Century was looming up ahead.
Unfortunately not long into 1900 The RWM, John Burness died while in office and a funeral Lodge was held on the 10th of February, when the ceremony and service at Rosehill Cemetery was carried out by Bro. Heckford.
It was agreed by the Brethren, in 1909, that the future name of the Lodge as it appears on the Charter be used on all papers relating to the Lodge. The name being 'The Incorporated Lodge of Montrose Kilwinning'.
In 1910 it was agreed to rent the premises in Upperhall Street, to be known as 'The Chapter House', for six pounds and six pence per year. The first meeting was held on 26th of July of that year. The Consecration of the Lodge was carried out in the Chapter House on the 14th of January 1911, which was performed by Bro. ex Provost David Stewart, Provincial Grand Master who received Honorary membership after the ceremony.
During both the World War periods the Lodge was still working. There is a record of a letter of sympathy being received from a Lodge in Australia regretting the death of Bro. Reid killed in battle at the Dardanells while serving with the South Australian Forces.
(to be continued...)