The material in this brief history of Wellington Lodge N0.635 is derived maily from the original summary that had been prepared by the Lodge founder and first Worshipful Master, Right Wor. Bro. Dr. Everon Flath, and was included, unaltered, in copies of our Lodge By-laws until April 1994. when the writer added Epilogue I, followed by Epilogue II in March 2002.

Over 30 years have elapsed since Right Wor. Bro. Flath passed away and on reflection, one is amazed how a busy doctor with a young family with innumerable community and church commitments could find the time to marshal some 113 charter members - most of whom had roots in Wellington County - to form a vibrant organization - Wellington Lodge !!

Let There Be Light

Such was the command that seemed to come to the mind of Right Wor. Bro. Everon Flath early in the year 1925, when he first thought, as in a dream, of the Wellington Lodge that was to be – to bring Masonic Light to those worthy men who desired to posses it, and to keep the Light of Masonry burning brightly in the hearts of those who had already received it. Many of those who had come into that Light in Wellington District were residing in Toronto , with no Masonic affiliation.

After discussing with a number of these brethren the advisability and the wisdom of organizing a new Lodge, a conference was arranged with the Grand Master, Most Wor. Bro. William J. Drope; and the Grand Secretary, Right Wor. Bro. W.M. Logan; both of whom acquiesced in the suggestion. A preliminary meeting was held at the home of Right Wor. Bro. Flath on the evening of April 15 th, 1925, when representatives from most of the Lodges in Wellington District were present. After an interesting discussion a temporary organization was formed, with the following committee:

Right Wor. Bro. Everon Flath

Right Wor. Bro. Thomas Rafter

Wor. Bro. Wm. E. Finnegan

Bro. Alex R. Rundle

Bro. J. Ernest Robertson

At a general meeting held on April 29 th in Freemasons' Hall, 491 College Street , fifty-six Wellington District Masons were present, and it was unanimously decided to adopt the name “ Wellington ” for the proposed Lodge, in honour of the parent district and because of the historical traditions associated with the name.

Consent to the formation of a new Lodge was then obtained from the Lodges in the four Toronto Districts (A, B, C, & D), and a petition containing 108 names of brethren from Wellington District, and five others, was presented to the then Grand Master, Most Wor. Bro. John A. Rowland; through the good offices of Right Wor. Bro. Peter M. Grant, D.D.G.M. of Toronto "A" District; praying for leave to institute the new Lodge.

The Grand Master acceded to this petition and granted a dispensation for the Institution, to take place in College Street Freemasons' Hall on Saturday evening, November 14 th, 1925.

The ceremonies were conducted by Right Wor. Bro. Peter M. Grant, D.D.G.M. of Toronto 1 District; and Right Wor. Bro. George D. Shore , D.D.G.M. of Toronto "D" (later 7) District. Wellington Lodge was allotted to District "D" where our relationships continued to be congenial.

Thus, Wellington Lodge came into being.

It was a matter of gratification that permission was obtained by Wor. Bro. J. Earnest Robertson, Secretary, from the then Duke of Wellington to use the crest of his grandfather - the First Duke of Wellington, the Iron Duke - as the crest of the Lodge.

Virtutis Fortuna Comes

Fortune is the Companion of Honour (Virtue)

Since the above portion of the history was compiled by our founder, Right Wor. Bro. Everon Flath in 1961, our Masonic Journey has continued through the remainder of the 60's, the 70's, the 80's, the 90's, and into the 2000's. Many changes have taken place in those years.

Right Wor. Bro. Flath and all the charter members living in 1961 have passed on to service in the Eternal Kingdom . The profile of the Lodge has changed considerably, the membership has dropped to some 90 members, but we like to think that the zeal and dedication to Masonic Principles is still alive in the officers and members today. The rationalization of the membership numbers is in keeping with conditions afoot in the Craft in general and in our overall social structure.

We are proud to report that since 1961, Wellington Lodge has witnessed the election of 2 District Deputy Grand Masters, namely Right Wor. Bro. C. J. Saylor Nixon 1964 and Right Wor. Bro. Charles F. Peck 1975. As well, Most Wor. Bro. R. E. Groshaw served as Grand Senior Warden in 1976 and went on to be elected Grand Master in 1983 for the customary 2 years term in that office. One can readily perceive that these elections as well as a number of Grand Lodge appointments, to the following brethren; Very Wor. Bros. Norman J. Nixon, W. Frank Elliott, L. Ashton Callingham, Herbert G. Hearn, Donald A. Hughes, William J. Trider, Ronald G. Cooper, Peter E. Taylor, and Edmund Evelegh Wilkings to various Grand Lodge offices, have brought credit to Wellington Lodge .

In the period from 1994 (the year of the last revision of our By-laws) until now (2004), several landmark events were witnessed in our Lodge. We moved from the Davenport Masonic Building at 888 Yonge Street when it ceased to function as a meeting place for Masonic groups and we made our new home in the York Masonic Building at 1100 Millwood Road . Our tenure here was short lived and we moved to Woodbridge Masonic Building at 8000 Kipling Avenue . This building was soon declared unsuitable for gatherings due to structural difficulties and we found, subsequently, we would have to relocate our place of assembly. This transition took place some two years ago when we chose Maple Masonic Building at 2142 Major MacKenzie Drive for our meetings.

It must be reported, sadly, that with the passage of time, many of our stalwart former Grand Lodge Officers including Right Wor. Bro. C. J. Saylor Nixon and Right Wor. Bro. Charlie F. Peck as well as Right Wor. Bro. J. Harvey Mitchell, Past Grand Sr. Warden, as well as Very Wor. Bros. J. Earnest Robertson, T. G. Haslam, Norman J. Nixon, W. Frank Elliott, L. Ashton Callingham, and Herbert G. Hearn are no longer with us.

Wellington Lodge has been richly blessed by the dedication and sterling contributions to the Office of Secretary for a number of years in the person of Very Wor. Bro. George Ghneim who was made Grand Superintendent of Works by Grand Lodge on July 18, 1996 . This was a recognition well deserved !

Our 75 th Anniversary celebration took place at the Toronto Cricket, Skating, & Curling Club on October 27, 2000 , at which time we were privileged to have our own Most Wor. Bro. Ronald Groshaw, Past Grand Master, and Mrs. Groshaw in attendance. As well Right Wor. Bro. Terence Shand, Deputy Grand Master, graced our gathering to bring greetings from the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario .

The leadership provided by our Worshipful Masters and Officers over the past few years is reflected in the zeal and attachment borne out by the attendance at our stated meetings. Should this enthusiasm be continued as, we trust, it may be, then Wellington Lodge 's future as one of the brighter lights in Toronto 7 District and indeed in the overall Grand Jurisdiction will be assured. Our founders built well and it is our mandate and indeed our bounden duty to make certain that the momentum they initiated is maintained and hopefully enhanced.

May the Great Architect of the Universe continue to bless us all.