CORINTHIAN LODGE #19 A.F. & A.M. O’LEARY

The hope that a Masonic Lodge would one day be established in the village of O'Leary was first entertained by four members of the Zetland Lodge #7 A.F. 8r A.M. who resided in O’Leary - Brethren A.J. Matheson, James MacGregor, A.S. Palmer, and George Sheen. These brethren along with James MacWilliams constituted a committee appointed by the newly organized Verdun Oddfellows Lodge during 1925-1926 to plan and design a suite of rooms on the second floor of the O’Leary Public Hall.

The result of the labour and foresight of these brethren was a suite of rooms suitable for Verdun Lodge Independent Order of Oddfellows. This suite of rooms twenty-five years later, with a few changes, would form a suitable Lodge room with convenient ante- rooms for the practice of Masonic Rites. Corinthian Lodge #19 had found a home.

Only one member of the Committee, brother A.J. Matheson, lived to see the dream realized some twenty-five years later (October 26, 1950) when Corinthian Lodge under Dispensation was officially opened. Members of the craft do appreciate the work and foresight of this committee.

Possibly the first Masonic communication ever held in the village was a special communication of Zetland #7 held in the room which is now the lodge room to attend the funeral of their late brother, Dr. A.S. Palmer, March 4, 1945. Brethren John C. Matthews, PM. and John Black, secretary of Zetland Lodge, came to O’Leary by snowmo- bile bringing with them the charter dispensation, regalia, and work- ing tools. The lodge was opened on the third degree and the mem- bers proceeded first to the Palmer home, then on by sleigh and snowmobile to West Devon United Church Cemetery where the grave site service was conducted by Brother J.C. Matthews, P.M., assisted by other members of the Lodge.

During the winter of 1950, Brother Alton Webb PM. was approached by parties who wished to purchase the large block of shares in O’Leary Public Hall held by himself and Mrs. Webb. The sale of the shares would mean the loss to the community of the Public Hall, the only place at that time where large gatherings could be accommodated, and also the loss of the rooms on the second floor used from time to time by different organizations. It was apparent that immediate action was necessary and the time seemed opportune to consider the forming of a Masonic Lodge. The Oddfellows Lodge had surrendered their Charter sometime previously.

Brethren Alton Webb and Errol Stetson interviewed a number of

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