Driving Directions: From Highway TC102, take Exit No. 11 and proceed East up Main Street and onto George Street in Stewiacke to the Stewiacke Town hall on right hand side. The Lodge is on the second floor and the entrance on the right hand side of the Town Hall.

See Location of Lodge on Map

Trestleboard

Events

May 28, 2010	Installation of officers of Loge la France. Official visit of Rt.W.Bro. Barry Imber, S.G.W. Watch the Slideshow Photos by Robert Meyer
May 23, 2008	Installation of officers of Loge la France. Official visit of Rt.W. Bro. Roy Lively, D.G.M. Watch the Slideshow Photos by Robert Meyer

Officers 2010/2011

Officers 2009/2010

Past Masters

History

A Short History of Loge La France, A.F.& A.M.

No. 138 on the Register of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia

First Dispensation Granted on March 27th, 1995
Instituted as Lodge U.D. on January 21, 1998
Warranted by Grand Lodge on June 5th, 1999
Constituted and Consecrated on November 12, 1999

In a Jurisdiction which has the distinction of counting among it's active Lodges the Oldest Lodge in Canada (St. Andrew's No. 1) – Constituted in 1750 – it seems a little bit pretentious to publish the 'History' of a Lodge on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of it's constitution. But Loge La France too, looks back with pride on the accomplishments and events of its first years.

On November 21, 1999, over 200 Masons met at the Conference Centre of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in the AgriTech Park at Bible Hill for the Ceremonies of Constituting and Consecrating a new Lodge.

For the 26 Brothers who had signed the petition to Grand Lodge with the prayer of being granted a Charter for their new Lodge, this was the culmination of five year's work.

A Lodge with a Mission

Early in 1994, V.Bro. Gerald Behuret, a member of Nova Scotia Lodge No. 502 on the Register of the Grande Loge Nationale Française (GLNF), approached our Grand Lodge through the offices of the GLNF with a plea for assistance with the ritual work and practice of the York Rite of Nova Scotia which, at that time, was used by some twenty Lodges in their jurisdiction.

The MWGM passed the request to his Grand Lecturer, Rt.W.Bro. Robert Amon who applied himself with zeal to this opportunity and gathered a number of past and present Grand Lodge Officers to assist him. In April 1994, he and Rt.W.Bro. Cyril Collicott travelled to France where they presented lectures and exemplifications of our ritual to the French Brothers.

On their return from France they saw an opportunity to strengthen the fraternal ties with our French Brothers by forming a new Lodge dedicated to maintaining the contact and reciprocate their forming of another York-Rite Lodge – Loge Acadie (which became No. 1033 GLNF). On the first day of March, 1995, eight Brothers petitioned the Most Worshipful Grand Master for a Dispensation to meet as a regularly tyled Lodge:

To the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Nova Scotial
Most Worshipful Brother David Wesley Hatt.

We the undersigned, all regular Master Masons, and members of Lodges within the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Freee and Accepted Masons of Nova Scotia; pray that a dispensation be granted to form a Lodge in the City of Halifax, and Province of Nova Scotia to be known as

Loge La France

and appoint:

Bro. Robert Deane Amon, Worshipful Master
Bro. Cyril John Collicott Senior Warden
Bro. Douglas John Russell Junior Warden

to serve for the ensuing twleve months, or until their successors have been appointed in their stead.

Humbly Sheweth;

The Lodge to meet as a regularly tyled lodge under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia for the purpose of enhancing fraternal relations between this Grand Lodge and the Grande Loge Nationale Francaise at Craft level.

The Lodge to remain Under Dispensation from year to year, the creature of the presiding Grand Master.

The Lodge shall hold regular meetings in the months of April, May, September and October, each and every year. The dates, times and places at the discretion of the Master and Wardens. The Lodge to meet at various locations within the jurisdiction for the purpose of promoting fraternal relations.

The Lodge is to meet in the month of November, each and every year at the Freemason's Hall, 1533 |Barrington Street. Halifax, Nova Scotia for the purpose of installing the appointed officers to their respective stations and places in the Lodge.

Brethren affiliating with Loge La France must retain their membership in a regular Craft Lodge.

Given under our hands this first day of March, 1995, and Light 5995.

Names of the petitioners in full and the name and number of their Lodges.

Harald Richard Kurt Weiland Hillcrest Lodge No. 93
David John Cunningham Waterbury Kentville No. 58
Ian Scott Robb Valley No. 90
Kenneth Cameron Argus No. 133
Douglas John Russell Laurie Lodge No. 70
Cyril John Collicott Fellowship No. 112
Robert Deane Amon Corinthian No. 63
Gerald Gordon Vickers Grand Secretary

At the end of the month, on March 27th, 1995, the MWGM, Bro. David Wesley Hatt granted his dispensation in accordance with the petition submitted with the added clause:

The Lodge to remain Under Dispensation from year to year, the creature of the presiding Grand Master.

The first regular meeting of Loge La France was held at Halifax on April 7, 1995 with seven members and seven visitors present. That same year, Bros. Gerald Behuret and Michel Geault came to our Annual Communication in Bridgewater on June 2nd & 3rd, as representatives of the Grande Loge Nationale Française

The Brethren of Loge La France, in close collaboration with our French Brethren, set to work on writing a bilingual ritual for opening and closing the Lodge.

At the regular meeting at Sackville of October 4th, 1995 the Brethren of Loge La France had the pleasure of welcoming a delegation of eight French Brothers, led by Rt.W.Bro. Jean Wunen-Burger. The visitors were especially honoured with the official visit by His Honour, James J. Kinley, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, who inducted them into the 'Order of the Good Time.'

In the meantime our French Brethren made steady progress in forming their new Loge Acadie. The ceremony of consecration was set for October 26th, 1996 at Neuilly-Sur-Seine.

A delegation of nine of our members and officers of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia, including the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons of Nova Scotia, M.W.Bro. Sam Karel, travelled to Paris to attend this event. After the formal reception of the M.W. Grand Master of the Grande Loge Nationale Francaise, M.W.Bro. Claude Charbonniaud and our own M.W.G.M., Sam Karel, the Consecration Ceremony was conducted in French and the Installation of Officers in English.

The following were made Honorary Members of Acadie Lodge: Robert Amon; Gordon Conrad, David Hatt; C. Frank MacKay; Douglas Russell; Harald Weiland; James Cale; Cyril Collicott; Sam Karel; Robert Meyer and Gerald Vickers.

During their stay in France, our Nova Scotia Brethren not only had the opportunity to attend Lodges working in other Rites, but above all experienced the unparalleled hospitality of our French Brothers and their spouses.

After the unexpected passing of two of the founding members of Loge La France, Rt.W.Bro. Robert Amon and Rt.W.Bro. Douglas Russell, a core of its members rallied to complete the work begun by them and decided to petition Grand Lodge to grant them a Warrant.

In order to conform with the requirements of the Constitution, a new petition had to be submitted and the M.W.G.M., Lawrin Armstrong regularly Instituted Loge La France under his Dispensation on January 21th, 1998.

In the Proceedings of the one-hundred and thirty-fourth Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge which was held June 4th and 5th 1999 at Truro we can finally read:

Most Worshipful Bro. David Waterbury, Chairman of the Jurisprudence Committee reported on the Committees' findings regarding the petition for a warrant by them members of Loge La France U.D.. Bro. Waterbury reported that all findings were favourable and he moved that a warrant be granted, seconded by Bro. Robert Meyer. The motion was CARRIED.

The Grand Secretary requested that he be granted permission to have Bro. Robert Meyer presented to the Altar. This being done, the Grand Secretary presented Bro. Meyer with the books and records of Loge La France and congratulated him on bringing a very long process to a successful conclusion.

The newly installed M.W. Grand Master, Lloyd Blagdon announced that he would call an emergent meeting of Grand Lodge on November 12th, 1999 for the sole purpose of Constituting and Consecrating Loge La France.

The next few months were busy for the members of Loge La France. A venue had to be found, The Lodge needed a set of Regalia, a banquet had to be organized, invitations sent out and furniture to be set up.

We settled on the Conference Centre of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in the AgriTech Park at Bible Hill which offered both a large hall for the Consecration and a dining hall for the banquet.

The Brothers of Composite Lodge No. 105 and Keith Lodge No. 17 gave us the invaluable gift of a complete set of regalia which we have been using ever since. The Volume of the Sacred Law on our altar is a precious gift from our two sister Lodges in France, “Acadie” No. 1033 and “Nova Scotia” No. 502. Being a French edition of the Jerusalem Bible will always remind us of the dear fraternal ties which unite us.

The Brothers of Western Star Lodge No. 50, gave us the privilege of the use of their furniture and assisted in setting up the 'Lodge Room.'

At 6 p.m. the Junior Warden welcomed ninety guests to the formal banquet. The Grand Piper led the Head Table guests into the banquet room.

The Most Worshipful Grand Master, M.W. Bro. Lloyd Blagdon and the Worshipful Master of Loge la France, W.Bro. Robert H. Meyer then retired to welcome His Honour, the Lieutenant Governour of Nova Scotia, Rt.W.Bro. James J. Kinley and the honour party returned to the banquet room led by the Grand Piper.

After the customary toasts the Junior Warden, Bro. Gilles Gaudet, introduced the Head Table: V.W. Bro. Elliott Campbell, Past Grand Tyler; Rt.W. Bro. James E. Cale, Senior Warden of Loge la France; Rt.W. Bro. Daniel G. Campbell, Grand Chaplain GLNS; Rt.W. Bro. Louis Hamard, representing M.W. Bro. Douglas MacLean, G.M. of the Grand Lodge of Quebec; Rt.W. Bro. Gérald Béhuret, representing the M.W. Bro. Claude Charbonniaud, G.M. of the Grande Loge Nationale Française; Rt.W. Bro. Arthur S. Brown, Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia; M.W. Bro. James Pike, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New Brunswick; M.W. Bro. Neil Chapman, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Newfoundland; M.W. Bro. D. Frank MacKay, PGM GLNS; M.W. Bro. Harald R.K. Weiland, PGM GLNS; M.W. Bro. David Waterbury, PGM GLNS; W.Bro. Robert H. Meyer, Worshipful Master of Loge la France; M.W. Bro. Lloyd Blagdon, Grand Master of Masons in Nova Scotia; and His Honour, Rt.W. Bro. James J. Kinley, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia.

The M.W.G.M., his Officers, the M.W.G.Ms. of Newfoundland and New Brunswick, and officers of Loge la France

The Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Nova Scotia assumed the chair and the Master, Officers and Members of Loge la France were formally introduced and after confirming their intent were presented with the Warrant for their Lodge which bears the Number 138 on the Register of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia.

L.t.R.: Rt.W.Bro. Arthur S. Brown, D.G.M.;
M.W.Bro. Lloyd Blagdon, G.M.; W.Bro. Robert H. Meyer, W.M.;
Rt.W.Bro. James J. Kinley, His Honour the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia.

The Warrant

To all & every our Right Worshipful, Worshipful and Loving Brethren.

We, the GRAND LODGE of the Most Ancient & Honourable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons of Nova Scotia Send Greeting.

Know Ye That We by the authority and under the sanction of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia vested in us for that purpose, and at the humble petition of our Right trusty and well Beloved Brethren

Given under our hands & the Seal of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia at Halifax, Nova Scotia this Twelfth day of November, A. L. 5999 A .D. 1999.

(signed)   Grand Master
(signed)   Grand Secretary

The Grand Master and his Officers then proceeded with the Consecration of the Lodge in accordance with the ancient usages and customs of the Craft in a most dignified and impressive manner.

After these Ceremonies, the Most Worshipful Grand Master welcomed and honoured the visiting Grand Masters from Newfoundland and New Brunswick. The representatives from the Grande Loge Nationale Française and the Grand Lodge of Quebec were also presented to Grand Lodge and recognized by the Grand Master.

The Junior Grand Warden, Senior Grand Warden and Deputy Grand Master bearing the Corn, Wine, and Oil for the Consecration

The Most Worshipful Grand Master then closed Grand Lodge in ample form and returned the gavel to the Worshipful Master of Loge la France who, as the first act of his newly consecrated Lodge conducted a Memorial Service honouring the memory of four Brothers who had passed to the G.L.A. since Loge la France was created in 1995: Robert Amon, Douglas Russel, Edwin Fraser, and Arthur Smith.

V.W.Bro. Kirby Coolen places the last rose
on the Altar in memory of the four departed Brothers.

V.W. Bro. Ken Peach, on behalf of the Ruling Masters, welcomed Loge la France into the family of Craft Lodges in the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia.

A delegation of six Brothers from the Grand Lodge of Quebec was welcomed and Bro. Gilles Coupal presented Loge la France on behalf of the delegates with a beautifully handmade bag for the Sunshine collection and a carrying case for the V.S.L as well as a Gavel, a gift from the Loge ‘la Belle Province’ No. 905, GLNF, at Paris France.

The Grande Loge Nationale Française, Loge la France’s sister Lodge ‘Acadie’ No. 1033 and the Lodges ‘Nova Scotia’ No. 502‘ and General John J. Pershing’ No. 62 were represented by six Brothers who had travelled from France to assist in the ceremonies.

Rt.W. Bro. Gérald Béhuret presented the W.M. with the Certificate and Medal of Honour of the Grande Loge Nationale Française. Rt.W. Bro. Philippe Hiolle presented the Medal of Honour of the Grande Loge Provinciale de l'Île de France, home of Loge ‘Acadie’, and W.Bro. Christian Lecomte the Medal of Honour of the Grande Loge Provinciale des Marches de l'Est home of ‘Nova Scotia’ Lodge. W.Bro. Fabrice Chavigny offered the 40-year Commemorative Medal of John J. Pershing Lodge No. 62, GLNF.

After comments from the visiting M.W. Grand Masters, the M.W. Grand Master, his Officers and His Honour, Rt.W.Bro. James J. Kinley retired and the Worshipful Master closed his Lodge in Peace, Love, and Harmony. Many of the Brethren concluded this memorable evening by enjoying the social time and refreshments provided.

The Members of Loge la France No. 138, A.F.& A.M., GRNS. LtR: Brothers Roland Green, Kirby Coolen, Elliott Campbell, Bill MacLennan, Bill Clark, Terence Read, Doc Morrison, Jim Cale, Bill Bonner, Robert Meyer, Harald Wieland, Gilbert Gaudet, Frank McKay, Bruce Fraser, David Waterbury. (Not on picture: Kurt Jensen, Kristian Justesen, John Lilley, D.Frank MacKay, Peter Maxwell, Michael Munday, Robert L. Redden, Charles Rutt.)

The Warrant of Loge La France is unique in this jurisdiction.

The stated purpose of the Lodge is to be a 'Lodge of Instruction' and the Warrant gives us the freedom to hold our meetings anywhere within the Jurisdiction without the need to request a Dispensation:

The Lodge shall be domiciled at Truro, Nova Scotia but may, at the discretion of the Worshipful Master and Wardens, if necessary to achieve their stated objectives, hold meetings elsewhere about this Jurisdiction.

The members of Loge La France come from all parts of Nova Scotia and beyond. The warrant provides for this by allowing us to … accept petitions for affiliation from Free and Accepted Masons who are in good standing in an accredited Lodge, but shall not be empowered to accept petitions for initiation and may not perform degree work except for the purpose of instruction or demonstration.

Since the Lodge does not confer Degrees, can meet throughout the Jurisdiction and draws its membership by affiliation only, the Warrant places us under the supervision of the Deputy Grand Master:

Loge la France shall not be attached to any regular district and therefore the Deputy Grand Master shall be responsible for the performance of those duties normally performed by the District Deputy Grand Master.

Over the years, Loge La France has taken advantage of being able to hold its meetings throughout the jurisdiction and was hosted by Hillcrest Lodge No. 93, Welsford No 26, Stewiacke No. 98, Western Star No. 50, Laurie No. 70 to mention just a few. And who could ever forget that memorable meeting at the Fortress of Louisbourg?

For the last weekend in June 2001, the Grande Loge Nationale Française invited all Lodges with the name 'La France' to a special celebration to Paris. Seven Brothers from our Lodge (Jim Cale, Elliott Campbell, Doc Morrison, Bruce Fraser, Bill MacLellan and Robert Meyer with their spouses and Bill Bonner) made the trip and none of us will ever forget.

At a reception and Gala Dinner (St. John's Feast) sponsored by the GLNF we met Brothers from 'La France' Lodges from four continents and our French Brethren from Acadie, Nova Scotia and Pershing Lodges took us on tours of the Chartres Cathedral, the Normandy Beaches, Courseulles (where our Elliott Campell landed in 1944) and the Canadian War Cemetary at Beny-Sur-Mer where we laid flowers in memory of our fallen Canadian Soldiers.

Robert H. Meyer
Historian; LLF138
November 12th, 2009