Although Welsford Lodge is more than one hundred and fifty years old it cannot claim to be the first Masonic Lodge in Windsor. Early records show that Freemasonry started at Fort Edward as early as 1785, but was not continuous.
Welsford Lodge was formed in July, 1861 and received its charter from the Grand Lodge of England in August of the following year. The original number of the lodge was 1226 R.E. and this was subsequently changed to 924 R.E. The number which it holds today, No. 26, was assigned in 1869 after the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia was formed. The charter was destroyed in the Great Fire of Windsor in 1897, but a copy of the original was obtained from England, a duplicate of which hangs in the present Lodge Room.
The charter members and the first principal officers were:
- Benjamin D. Fraser, W.M. from: Shakespeare Lodge No 116 (now No. 99) London.
- Elisha Loasby, S.W. from: Lodge of Integrity No 771 N.S. (ceased working in 1890)
- Daniel E. Geldert, J.W. from: Virgin Lodge No. 558, Halifax (now No. 3) R.N.S.
- Robert Brown from: Virgin Lodge No. 558 Halifax (now No. 3) R.N.S
- Zebina S. Hall from: Royal Sussex Lodge No. 704 Halifax (now No. 6) R.N.S.
- James S. Richardson from: St. John’s Lodge No. 187 Halifax (now No. 2) R.N.S.
- John D. Nash from: St. Andrew’s Lodge No. 137 Halifax (now No. 1) R.N.S.
The Lodge is named after Major Augustus Frederick Welsford, an officer of the 97th Regiment who was killed in the Crimean War in 1855 while leading an assault party on the Redan. An imposing monument to Major Welsford and another officer named Captain Parker has been erected in St. Paul’s Cemetery, Halifax, at the corner of Barrington Street and Spring Garden Road. Before entering the army, Major Welsford attended King’s College which was then located in Windsor. At least three villages in the Maritime provinces bear his name.
The property and record of the Lodge were destroyed in the fire of 1897, so that the history of the first thirty-five years is not complete. We know that the first Lodge room was in a stone building on Gerrish Street known as the Thomas House. Later a regulation lodge room was established on Stannus Street in which was held the first Grand Lodge Meeting in Windsor, presided over by the Most Worshipful the Honourable Alexander Keith. Eventually, the room proved too small, so accommodation was sought elsewhere.
The next Lodge room was located on Water Street near Albert. In these spacious and beautiful surroundings Welsford Lodge enjoyed a period of outstanding progress. Here, in 1870, the Hiram Chapter of Royal Arch Masons held its first convocation in Windsor after its transfer from Goldenville.
As a result of a dispute with the owner of the building regarding repairs, the Lodge moved again, this time to the Dore building on Gerrish Street. About this time (1893) a highly successful Masonic Fair was held at Windsor which was opened by the Most Worshipful Grand Master D.C. Fraser. Net proceeds amounted to $2,500.00.
Later, a Masonic Club Room and Library were furnished in a brick building on Water Street known as the Churchill Block and in 1894 the Lodge room was moved to the same building. While located in this building the lodge experienced its great loss by fire.
After a temporary Lodge Room was procured in a building owned by the estate of Bennet Smith labour resumed. Upon completion of the Wentworth block in 1898, the Lodge moved into rooms on the third floor of that building.
Early in 1980 the Windsor Masonic Society was formed. In 1982, a property located at 19 Centennial Drive, Windsor, N.S. was purchased in which the Welsford Lodge is now located. For more than a century Welsford Lodge has maintained a consistently high standard of performance. The annual reports of Grand Lodge Officers invariably contained statements in praise of the work and administration of the lodge. Many Brethren from Welsford Lodge have held offices in Grand Lodge; one member, M.W. Brother W. Medford Christie was Grand Master from 1912 to 1915.
A highlight in the history of Welsford Lodge was the celebration of its one hundredth anniversary in 1961. Ceremonies began with a Public Memorial service in the Windsor Baptist Church on the afternoon of Sunday, July 23rd, which was followed in the evening by a Band Concert on the lawn of the Masonic Home. On Monday evening Lodge members presented a play “A Rose on the Altar” and on the following evening a special communication was held at which the Grand Master, M.W. Brother W.E. Mosley was a special speaker. The final event was a banquet held on the evening of Wednesday, July 26th, in the new Civic Building, Windsor, which was attended by many Masons and their wives. Bro. Senator Fred Blois of Truro was the speaker and the birthday cake was cut by Bro. Ralph Dimock, grandson of Daniel E. Geldert, the first Junior Warden.
Throughout the years Welsford Lodge has built a splendid tradition and an enviable record of which every member may well be proud.We can all look forward to continuation of this good work of making its “votaries wiser, better and consequently happier.”