V.W. Bro. Lett
Taylor and V.W. Bro. Ernest Morrison
The history of a lodge is not a documented
series of events but rather a series of ideas and exchange of dreams
between forward looking Masons. The formation of West Gate Lodge was
no different; it was born from the heart of a group of masons who
believed that the growth of our gentle craft was not only possible
but necessary for Streetsville. They put their hearts and their
heads together, they met, they talked, they asked questions, they
drew up plans, they invited input and participation and then they
waited. Some dismissed the idea as a foolish dream, some thought it
would be too much work and couldn't see making such a commitment of
time and effort, but those who believed would not be discouraged for
the enthusiasm they shared helped their spirits rise high above any
thoughts of failure. Yes others believed in the dream, they worked
tirelessly in an effort to build the lodge of tomorrow In a city
where multiculturalism was a growing part of the community so too it
was to become the face of the lodge including masons from many walks
of life and many cultures within our society, all masons and all
brothers. Listed here is a brief snippet of the history that saw the
formation of this great lodge where brother has met brother; where
masons have been made, where friendships have been nurtured and
where memories have been born. Wind back the clock and imagine all
of us being a lot younger when West Gate Lodge was just a dream, and
read how we reached this, our 25th Anniversary; Enjoy!
While attending an installation at River Park
Lodge 356 in 1977 the idea of a new Lodge was born. V. Wor. Bro.
Ernie Morrison along with Wor. Bro. Doug Kelman of King Hiram Lodge
566, and V Wor. Bro. Len Taylor of Bedford Lodge 638 spent the next
year between Toronto and Grand Lodge in Hamilton making the idea of
a new lodge become a reality. There were meetings which were
failures where only two potential members showed up; and some might
be discouraged. But the foundation of the lodge was not built in
huge strides but rather one member at a time. This is a lesson that
the founders took to heart and have tried to pass on year by year to
each member of the lodge as we have grown. A lodge is a family with
all of its strengths and all of its imperfections but it takes every
member of the family to make us whole. The dream became a reality in
when on March 26,1980 Most Worshipful Bro. Richard Richards granted
West Gate Lodge our charter 734 G.R.C.
The name of West Gate Lodge
was chosen for two reasons, one because it is the most westerly
Lodge in Toronto District 1. Secondly there was already an East
Gate, South Gate, and a North Gate Lodge. It was hoped that once
West Gate Lodge was up and running that the brethren of all the Gate
Lodges would exchange fraternal visits with each other.
Over the last 25 years West
Gate has been very busy. There have been two District Deputy Grand
Masters elected to represent Toronto District 1. Also appointed Have
been 1 Grand Senior Deacon, and 2 Grand Stewards. Over the years
West Gate has been very fortunate to have members from every walk of
life who have brought to the Lodge their culture and traditions
which have given us depth and unique character. At the end of the
day every success or every failure is a direct reflection of each of
the members who make us West Gate Lodge. It is a lucky man who can
turn to the mason beside him and call him a true brother, and that
is where West Gate gets its strength.
The last 25 years have
passed very quickly and has left fond memories. We now look forward
to the future and the creation of new memories; I invite you to join
with us as we march into the future and enjoy what we know as West
Gate Lodge.
Past
Masters
R. W. Bro. Ernest Morrison
1980 & 1981
W. Bro. William Boratynec
1982
W. Bro. Heinz W. Caminer
1984
+ W. Bro. Donald Shearer
1985
+ W. Bro. Ivan L.
Carter 1986 & 1987
+ V. W. Bro. Leonard H.
Taylor 1987
+ W. Bro. William Mackie 1988 &
1991
W. Bro. Austen Joseph
1989
R. W. Bro. John
Hartzema 1990 & 1993
V. W. Bro. Ross Bryant
1992 & 2006
W. Bro. John Lee
1994
+ W. Bro. Lee
Williamson 1995
+ W. Bro. Carlton
Sommers 1996
W. Bro. Lloyd Roberts
1997
R. W. Bro. Geoffrey
Bailey 1998
W. Bro. Jesse Andrews
1999
V. W. Bro. Paul
Attwood 2000
W. Bro. Donald Clarke 2001
& 2002
R. W. Bro. Charles
Woods 2003
W. Bro. Lowell
Hendricks 2004
W. Bro. Louis Jansurik
2005
W. Bro. Anthony Clark
2007
W. Bro. John Weyland
2008
W. Bro.Michael Kong
2009
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