LANGFORD MASONIC HALL

GOLDSTREAM LODGE NO. 161 

70 YEARS OF FREEMASONRY

In March, 1954, a group of Victoria Freemasons gathered for the purpose of forming a new Masonic Lodge in the Langford region of the Unorganized Western Territory, a dozen kilometres west of Victoria. After several organizational meetings, 50 Masons came together to establish Goldstream Lodge.  On November 4, 1954, after satisfying all requirements, the Grand Master of British Columbia, Most Worshipful Brother Karl Warwick, issued dispensation to the Goldstream Lodge Brethren to form the new Lodge.  A few days later, on November 8, the District Deputy Grand Master for District 1 presided at the Ceremony of Institution.  The Lodge adopted its name from the lovely stream that meanders out of the surrounding highlands, and for the Goldstream District in which the Lodge is located.

On June 23, 1955, Grand Lodge ordered a Warrant of Constitution for Goldstream Lodge No. 161.  The Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother Richard Large, constituted the Lodge on September 29, 1955, at a communication held in St. John’s Church in Colwood.   The Lodge adopted the Canadian work for its ritual.

Worshipful Brother David Holmes was elected as the first Worshipful Master of Goldstream Lodge No. 161, along with a full slate of officers. Following this inaugural meeting, 150 members and guests retired to attend a formal banquet befitting the occasion.

The first meeting was held in 1960 at our original location in the then uncompleted hall at 679 Goldstream Avenue, and was chaired by Worshipful Master Ed Dunk. Work continued as funds became available, and in 1974, the mortgage was ceremoniously burned at a banquet presided over by Worshipful Brother Bob Stewart.  After numerous efforts to replace the original Lodge building, our move to this new location was achieved through the untiring efforts of Lodge Brethren in conjunction with the City of Langford.  

Goldstream Lodge is very active in the community, with a Belmont Secondary School Bursary awarded annually from the Lodge and plans underway to offer an additional Bursary to another school. The Lodge is an active fundraiser for the Victoria Hospice, with various events throughout the year, culminating with the Lodge participation in the “Hike for Hospice." Goldstream Food Bank is hosted in the hall on a weekly basis.

In addition, we support the Maxine Davis Foundation for the Cridge Centre.  Goldstream Lodge also has regular events for its members, ie: a Super Bowl Party, Grey Cup Party, and a New Years Eve Family Dinner.

Our Lodge meets regularly at 7:00 p.m., on the 1st Thursday of every month, with a Festive Board at 5:30 p.m.  The Lodge is closed during the months of July and August.

On February 3, 1917, the initial but informal meeting was held at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel to discuss the feasibility of forming a Masonic Lodge in the Oak Bay area.  It was the forerunner of many meetings held during 1917, 1918 and the early part of 1919.  The Lodge was finally instituted under Dispensation in May, 1919 and the Ceremony of Constitution was held on July 16, 1920, with the Charter being presented by Most Worshipful Brother Dr. E.B. Paul. 

Great credit for the successful conclusion of the negotiations leading to the formation of the new Lodge must be given to Most Worshipful Brother William Henderson, Grand Master of the Grand Jurisdiction of British Columbia, 1913-1914. His experience and sagacious leadership, together with his untiring distinguished efforts, ably assisted by many distinguished Brethren, did much to establish the new Lodge on a firm and lasting foundation.

Dispensation was granted by the Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother John Shaw, the Charter Roll being numbered 34.  In recognition of the great service rendered by Most Worshipful Brother Henderson to the Craft in general and more particularly in and around Victoria, and also in token of the high esteem in which he was held, the Most Worshipful Brother was asked to allow the new Lodge to bear his name, and to accept the very responsible position of becoming its first Master, which, notwithstanding the burden of many years, he graciously consented to do. 

Only one of our original members remained with us (Editor’s Note: at the writing of this document in 1973): Right Worshipful Brother Walter M. Walker, No. 6 on the Charter Roll. He played a leading part in the early days of our Lodge.  Brother T. W. Gravlin, our Tyler for many years, Brother W.A. Westby, Wor­shipful Brothers E.A. Robbins, and C.E. Laundy, candidate numbers 16, 20, 8 and 13 respectively, are four of our early candidates still active in Masonry.  On September 23, 1931 all men of good will were saddened to learn of the passing of our first Master, Most Worshipful Brother William Henderson in his 95th year. A Member of four Masonic Lodges, Victoria-Columbia No. 1, Vancouver-Quadra No. 2, Britannia No. 73; and Henderson No. 84, he was buried with full Masonic Honours on September 26th. There were 180 Brethren in attendance, the service being held at St. Columbia Church, now known as Oak Bay United, which our late Brother designed and built; the service was conducted by Brother, the Reverend, H. Guy. 

The Ceremony of Institution for Henderson Lodge was performed on June 6, 1919 in the old school house on Foul Bay Road.  Officiating was Most Worshipful Brother Angus McKeown, Past Grand Master 1890-1891. The Lodge was given the name of Henderson Lodge and numbered 84 on the Registry of the Grand Lodge of British Columbia.  As of December 31, 1922 the membership had increased to 84 and it was thought expedient to seek larger premises. In conjunction with the newly formed Victoria Lodge of Perfection, A.A, Scottish Rite, a more commodious hall with better facilities was secured at the Willows, where a disused school house was converted to provide increased accommodation. However, during the next few years a greater increase in the membership made it necessary to again seek larger premises. 

In 1929 space was secured in the newly built Shrine Temple on View Street, Victoria; and our first communication was held there on the 19th of November ·of that year.  It is interesting to note that the question of building a new Masonic Temple in Victoria was being discussed and an option had been taken on several lots adjoining the Shrine Temple where it was proposed to erect the new Masonic Temple.  Nothing came of these proposals and we remained a tenant of the Shrine Temple until Grand Lodge granted permission to become a joint tenant with other lodges in the Victoria Masonic Temple, in February 1945.  

Minutes of the first decade show that Henderson Lodge admitted 128 new members, 79 by Initiation and 49 by Affiliation. Forty-three petitioners were rejected and 27 Members demitted.  

As mentioned we became tenant in the Victoria Masonic Temple in 1945, remaining there until 1956 when Grand Lodge permitted us to return to Oak-Bay where we were able to secure the use of St. Phillip's Church Hall. Our sixth, and perhaps final move came in 1963, when we participated in the purchase of our present Henderson Hall. The move was approved by Grand Lodge on June 11, 1963 with our first Regular Communication being held on September 24th of that year.  

Henderson Lodge has passed through many trying times but it has always retained "Peace and Harmony" and may it ever be thus!  Brother J.L. LeHuquet researched the early records of the Lodge and passed on the foregoing information to Worshipful Brother R.B.B. Crombie.  

Over the years various social events have taken place such as the 'Ladies' Night', when in 1945, Worshipful Brother Crombie suggested a banquet followed by a dance. This was held in the Monterey Restaurant and was attended by over 150 Masons and their Ladies. Another custom is that of holding a "Burns Night" on our Regular Communication on the fourth Monday in January each year. The Toast to the Haggis and to the Immortal Memory is always attended by a goodly number of Members and Visitors.  In 1938 some of our golfing brothers, while vacationing at Qualicum Beach, met members of Concord Lodge No. 79, of Parksville, B.C. As a result of this chance meeting, an exchange of visits ensued on Installation nights and by 1940 these visits became a yearly event which are still being enjoyed. 

At the time of the completion of the new Masonic Temple at Parksville, the three Principal Officers' Chairs were donated; the Master's Chair by Henderson Lodge, The Senior Warden's Chair by Worshipful Brother E.L. McNiven, and the Junior Warden's Chair by Worshipful Brother E.J. Cave-Brown­Cave, both of whom were Members of Henderson Lodge. The Square & Tessellated Pavement, which was built by Brother J. Bostock of our Lodge was also donated. At the time the N.E. Corner Stone was laid by Most Worshipful Brother D. McGougan, the N.E. Corner of the building was well trussed with nails· driven by a large contingent of Henderson Lodge members.

When Henderson Lodge moved from the Shrine Temple to the Victoria Masonic Temple, the furniture was placed in storage and later donated to Sidney Lodge No. 143 when in July I 951, they received their Dispensation.  In 1965, Worshipful Brother W.G. Passmore, then our Worshipful Master arranged a Biannual visit with South Gate Lodge No. 247, F. &. A.M. Grand Lodge of Washington, U.S.A. A 'Friendly Gavel' was presented to Worshipful Brother S.D. Steere and is used on these occasions. Lapel pins with the emblem of the three principal officers were presented to our Officers and these are passed on following our Installation Ceremonies.

The 1963 shared purchase of our own meeting space in a former church at 1632 Yale St. in Oak Bay was facilitated through the incorporation of the Henderson Masonic Temple Association to hold the property jointly with the Oak Bay Chapter Society (Eastern Star). This commenced a 50-year joint usage of Henderson Hall for meetings and other events as well as rental to related Masonic organizations as well as DeMolay and Job’s Daughters.

In February 2013 a letter was received from the Order of Eastern Star requesting us to purchase their 50% interest in the building. The minutes of the Henderson Masonic Temple Association dated May 27, 2013  reported the outline below from our Hall Management Committee. 

“Bro. Douglas Harbicht presented a comprehensive report from the Hall Management Committee. While the hall is doing well with rentals, concerns were expressed regarding ongoing maintenance costs and future repair and replacement costs. The current status of negotiations with the Eastern Star chapter were reviewed with the situation currently being that they are waiting for our response to their request (through their lawyer) for a definitive answer from us regarding pay out for their share ownership in the hall. Bro. Harbicht recommended that, from a business perspective, with the future maintenance costs to be faced, we should look to market and sell the hall property. The question of where we could go once the property is sold is a secondary issue.

There was widespread discussion amongst the Brethren, with W.Bro. Carrie asking each member for his input regarding the pro’s and cons of selling our property.  It was Moved by R.W.Bro. William Musgrave and seconded by R.W.Bro. Grant Gillespie that the Association list the hall property for sale. Carried."

After a couple of uncompleted offers, the land and building were finally sold for $950,000 in November 2016 and the property was subsequently developed into residential townhouse units.

In mid-2013 Henderson Lodge moved once again into the Lodge building at 650 Fisgard Street in downtown Victoria where it continued to meet for the next ten years. In 2024 the Lodge received a presentation from Goldstream Lodge No. 161 who were in the midst of developing a new Lodge building in Langford B.C. and invited Henderson Lodge to become either a tenant or partial owner of the new building.  After reviewing the proposal and numerous discussions among the brethren, noting the potential costs of maintaining the downtown building and the geographical distribution of our current membership, it was decided to relocate to the Westshore Masonic Centre at 2832 Bryn Maur Road in Langford.

In January 2025 the lodge commenced meeting at its new location with the District Deputy Grand Master’s Official Visit and our annual Robbie Burns Supper celebration.

Of note, in our over 100 year history Henderson Lodge has had the distinction of having several uncles, fathers, sons and even a grandson sit in Henderson's Worshipful Master's chair. These include Worshipful Brother Albert Stevens' (1956-57), son Worshipful Brother Roy Stevens (1973-74) and uncle Worshipful Brother Les Stevens (1961-62); Worshipful Brother John Green (1967-68) and son Worshipful Brother John E. Green (1991-92); Worshipful Brother Klaas (Nick) Schut (1996-97) and son Worshipful Brother Nicholas Schut (1999-2000); and Right Worshipful Brother Clifford Joyce (1962-63), son Worshipful Brother Arthur Joyce (1980-84} and grandson Worshipful Brother Michael Joyce (2013-2014) plus brother-in-law/uncle Worshipful Brother Jack Harness (1957-58).