Hemmingford Lodge was instituted by dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Quebec dated April 26th, 1889. Its first meeting was held in "a fit and proper place for meeting in the Town of Hemmingford", on April 29th, 1889, and in March, 1890, a warrant was issued by Grand Lodge. Being sponsored by Chateaugnay Lodge No.36 of Huntingdon, Quebec.
The petitioners and first officers were as follows: Walter de Mouilpied, W.M., William Curran, S.W., Samuel McClotchie, J.W., Rev. William Robertson, Chap., John Hebert, John Latham, J.R. Stewart, Wellington Wark, L.M. McClennan, and Joseph Waddell.
On April 29th, 1889, the first officers were duly installed by Rt. Wor. Bro. James Fife, District Deputy Grand Master for the District of Montreal. At that time, M.W. Bro. Isaac H. Stearns was Grand Master of Masons in Quebec. At that same meeting no fewer than five petitions for membership were acted upon. By the end of 1889, eighteen candidates had been initiated and one had affiliated from another lodge. And that in only eight months!
Hemmingford Lodge grew and prospered and by the end of its first decade, it boasted thirty-six active members, The membership levelled at this number for the next ten years. By the end of 1909, (twenty years of operation), eighty-six candidates had been initated.
Hemmingford Lodge first held its meetings in the home of John Hebert, its first Tyler. In July, 1889, a committee was formed for the purpose of looking into the feasability of building a Masonic Hall. The cost of building being prohibitive, it was decided that the Lodge would rent a building for "$60 or less per annum". In 1893, the Lodge moved into its present quarters where it remained as tenants until 1950 when the building was purchased by subscription of the Brethren. Throughout the years, the building has been renovated to enlarge both the Lodge room and the lower hail. A new heating system was installed and the outdoor stairs to the second story were removed and replaced with an indoor access.
Hemmingford Lodge belonged to a Montreal District until 1962 when Grand Lodge revised its district boundaries and formed a new district. In 1963, Hemmingford Lodge became a member of the newly formed St. Lawrence District.
There have been sixteen brethren who have been a member of Hemmingford Lodge for fifty years or more. Special mention should be made of two who contributed extra effort and support to the Lodge; the late V.Wor. Bro. Walter A. Keddy who acted as Treasurer for 43 years from 1945 to 1988, and the late V. Wor. Bro. Lynwood Cookman, who was Secretary for 32 years from 1955 to 1987. These two, among others, have been an inspiration to us all.
Since its beginnings, Hemmingford Lodge has supplied many distinguished brethren to Grand Lodge and will most likely continue to do so.
