Onwards to our 50th

 

The installation of Bro. George C. Mitchell took place on December 1956 a year in which the Lodge continued to prosper in the usual high standard and Bro. Mitchell carried out his duties in his usual quiet but efficient manner.

This standard was maintained during the year 1957/58 by Bro. John Hunter as R.W.M.

Who looks through Masonry to God,

And looks through God to all mankind,

Learns more than sign or word or grip,

Learns man's and God's relationship.

The year 1958/59, eleven years after his initiation saw Bro. John Dobbie in the Chair, which his Bro. Robert had occupied in that Historic year 14 years earlier. While by no means as eventful, his year, like others before him, proved to be both happy and successful for himself and the Lodge.

Two occasions, which he himself takes pride in, are, first - His presentation of Distinguished Service Diplomas to Bro. James Robertson and Bro. David Gordon in the presence of Provincial Grand Lodge. They were then in their 84th and 80th year respectively, and no two Brothers deserved the Honour more for their service to the Lodge and the Craft.
The other occasion was the installation of Bro. Frank Black into the Chair of Lodge Maryhill No.510 while he Bro. Dobbie was still reigning Master.
It is also worth mentioning his colleague on that occasion was P.M. Bro. Robert E. Gunnell, a team that performed these Honours on many later dates.

September 1959 was a busy month, and the R.W.M. had to call on the Brethren for support on no fewer than 8 meetings both in Possilpark and on visitations, an appeal to which the brethren responded admirably, and also proving the popularity of Lodge Possilpark and the wonderful dearth of Degree workers within its walls.
Divine Service, a General Management and Social Evening completed the September programme.

During the year 1959/60,Bro.Duncan M.Orr R.W.M. had the sad duty of intimating the death of Bro. Arch.Darroch,who was killed whilst carrying out his duties with the Glasgow Fire Service at the Cheapside Street disaster. It was also announced that Bro.Chas.Biggerstaff was seriously injured in the same disaster. It is worthy of note,of all the Firemen who died,seven were Free Masons. An 'In Memoriam' Service was held in the St.Davids (Ramshorn) Church,which was attended by Masons from far and near.

In Memoriam

Bro. George Mclntyre	Lodge Rutherglen	116
Bro. Daniel Davidson	Lodge Neptune	419
Bro. Edward Murray	Lodge Glasgow	441
Bro. James McLellan	Lodge Galen	1285
Bro. Archibald Darroch	Lodge Possilpark	1330
Bro. Ian McMillan	Lodge Salfire	1505
Bro. Gordon McMillan	Lodge Salfire	1505

Bro. Hugh T. Kennedy occupied the Chair during the year 1960/61 and it was his sad duty to announce the death of P.M. Bro. David Gordon who was the 3rd Master of the Lodge.
It was in this year that Bro. Kennedy inaugurated the Lodge In Memoriam Services, the first being held on the 18th May 1961 the order of service and ceremonial was compiled with the assistance of P.M's. Gunnell and Dobbie along with Bro. John Newman.

In the year 1961/62 Bro. Edward D. Lone carried out his duties in the usual Possilpark manner which left an imprint on many of the brethren, and today he still carries on good work in the Lodge.

On Thursday 13th December 1962 Bro. Charles L. Hill was installed as R.W.M.  During his year the Whist Team had again won the South Side Masonic Whist League Championship. Whist Drives were held throughout the year and with the assistance of Bro. David S. McLean they handed in the sum of £200 for Lodge Funds.

The year 1963/64 saw the Lodge in the capable hands of Bro. James N. Johnson and during this year the Lodge was again active in visitations and Social Events. He later had the pleasure of conferring affiliation on Bro. James R.W. Sinclair a M.M. of Lodge Robert Morris (No.97) Washington D.C. who was later to occupy the Chair in Lodge Possilpark.

Bro. Kenneth J. Skeggs was installed in 1964/65 to the high office of R.W.M. a year which saw our Masonic Temple in need of repair, our heating system had reached a point where normal remedial work was out of the question with vandalism and the demolition of ajoining buildings. This had resulted in a constant struggle to keep our heads above water, we were equal to the occasion, the necessary repairs were carried out, but obviously hard work lay ahead.

On 9th December 1965 Bro. John McPherson was installed as R.W.M. and during his year in office the financial affairs of the Lodge were at their lowest ebb due to various reasons, but, perhaps mainly due to the continued vandalism which was rife in the area at that time and indeed so bad did it become that a 3rd Degree which was to be conferred had to be cancelled because of a break in.
Although conditions were pretty grim the spirit of the brethren was high and due to their efforts much good work was done. The event that is greeted with pride is that a Lodge of Instruction was formed and has produced many excellent degree workers, but more important it welded together the younger members which formed a basis from which the Lodge regenerated itself.

In the year 1966/67 when Bro. Arch. M. McCulloch presided over the Lodge, the brethren continued to strive to make the Lodge one to be proud of. We still have our problems and the struggle for survival continued. On a happier note, the R.W.M. had the pleasure in presenting to Bro. T.S. Patrick, the distinguished Service Membership Diploma.

Through the popular leadership of Bro. William McKay in 1967/68 the Lodge could discern a ray of light shining on our efforts, and the strain of our financial worries began to ease. This was again due to the many activities of the brethren, and the hard work put in by them. It was in this year the Lodge decided and obtained a club licence, and the year ended with the prospects of greater things to come.

Bro. Leonard McNicol Miller in 1968/69 had the honour of occupying the Chair and again having the honour of being installed a second time in 1970/71. With money now becoming more available, it was decided to renovate the lesser hall.
One of the highlights of his first year was the affiliation of his Father to Lodge Possilpark. During these two years the Lodge continued to prosper under his leadership. On 8th April 1971 a Dedication Service was held for Aprons, Carpet and Bible, the officiating Clergyman was Bro. the Rev. D. Barr M.A.B.D., M.M. of Lodge Airdrie No.203.
Between P.M. Bro. Miller's years Bro. James R. Patrick R.W.M. added his contribution to the history of Lodge Possilpark and kept the high standard of Ceremonial work to the fore front, and followed in the footsteps of his Father and Brother in giving yeoman service to the Lodge.

One of the noted affiliates of the Lodge namely Bro. Jas. R.W. Sinclair held the office of R.W.M. in 1971/72. Bro. John W.G. Dobbie who was to have installed Bro. Sinclair was hospitalised and Bro. R. E. Gunnell P.M. filled the breach and carried out the duties of Installing Master, a task which was ably performed.
We are proud of the fact that during Bro. Sinclair's year in office who was himself an affiliate from a Lodge in Washington D.C. a M.M.M. of the Lodge namely Bro. John A. Mitchell was installed into the Chair of Lodge Henry L. Martyn Toronto No.696 proving that masonry is indeed universal.

All the brethren I'm sure will agree that Bro. Sinclair more than any other led the Lodge into the happy financial position the Lodge now enjoys.   .

Bro. Hugh A.S. Gunn was duly installed in December for the year 1972/73 and during his year had to announce the departure of Bro. M.I. Stevenson S.D. to South Africa to become a Missionary to the Bantu Pres. Church.

At this time the happy financial position of the Lodge reflected itself on its members and we now looked forward to the coming year — our fiftieth anniversary.

Click here to see our gold aniversary office bearers

Go work thy task however low it be
Tis thine and in its doing lies thy faith
To Gods plan work each stroke of Gavel free
carve deep the lines of all thy future state
There is no height or depth in the eternal space
Not humble work but work ill done
will bring disgrace.

From gold to diamond the story continues