2007-04-12T13:12:00.000-07:00

2005 Aerial View of the Masonic Park Facility. *Note: "Freemasons Hall" will be constructed immediately to the left of the entrance to the Park, as you enter from Mount Carson Avenue, in Mount Pearl, NL.

Freemasons Hall

Epilogue

On November 24th, 2004, representatives of the Masonic Hall Joint Stock Company Ltd., announced that they were embarking on the follow through of a ongoing Grand Lodge directed concept to sell The Masonic Temple, located at 6 Cathedral Street, St. John's, NL, which was stated at that time would cost approx. 1.2 million dollars to refurbish, and install an elevator system. The proceeds from that sale would be then used to assist in the construction of a more modern and affordable structure suitable to house those various Masonic Bodies currently utilizing The Masonic Temple.

On January 31, 2005, a majority of the recorded shareholders of the Masonic Hall Joint Stock Company Limited were called together to vote to authorize the Board of the Masonic Hall Joint Stock Company Limtied to sell The Masonic Temple, located at 6 Cathedral Street. At that time the Worshipful Master - 2005 - of Saint John's Lodge No.1, felt he did not have a clear mandate from his membership and he chose to abstain from voting our Lodges' estimated 12% ownership of shares in that same company. The participating recorded majority shareholders of the Reigning Masters of the Area Lodges voted to authorize the sale of The Masonic Temple at that time.

On October 13th, 2005 a meeting of the Reigning Masters and Principle Officers of all the Lodges, still meeting within the Masonic Temple, was called to discuss the possibility of Masonic Hall Joint Stock Company Limited entering into a Lease Agreement with Twenty Twenty Holdings Ltd., on behalf of those same Lodges, for a two year period. The Lodge Representatives were expressly advised that they would not be permitted to review the details of that Lease Contract and that the Masters present that evening would have to vote to either proceed with the Lease Agreement sight unseen or vacate the Masonic Temple. The Majority of the Reigning Masters did vote to enter into that Lease Contract, that evening.

On October 14th, 2005 the Masonic Hall Joint Stock Company Ltd., signed a two year lease with Twenty Twenty Holdings Limited, which commenced on that same day.

On November 4th, 2005 it was announced to the Fraternity that with the guarantee of a two year tenant, the 14,500 sq' Masonic Temple, located at 6 Cathedral Street, It's name, and it's surrounding property, was sold to Twenty Twenty Holdings Ltd., for $330,000, less some concessions outlined in the purchase and sale agreement. That agreement was not made available to the Shareholders of the Company or the Lodges themselves at the direction of the Grand Lodge of Newfoundland & Labrador. Our Lodge was advised of that Grand Lodge directive by representatives of the Board of Masonic Hall Joint Stock Company Limited in the early spring of 2006 when the issue was pursued by our Lodge, formally in writing, as a shareholder in the Masonic Hall Joint Stock Company Ltd.. That particular coorespondence is in the possesion of our Lodge Secretary.

On May 9th, 2007 at the request of the Grand Lodge of Newfoundland & Labrador for urgent contributions to the "Freemasons Hall" initiative, the Brethren of Saint John's Lodge No.1, generously voted to donate $11,000, immediately, to "put the fundraising over the top" of the reported $500,000 fundraising level that had almost been attained at that same time. This amount had been pre-determined as the amount of cash money infusion that would be required to make this project commercially viable. On that same evening the Lodge again committed another $10,000 to the project, which could be remitted, by the Lodge, in the Spring of 2008 to further help with paying down the, at that time, estimated 1.2 million dollar debt load to be carried by the Masonic Park Organization, as a result of this initiative.

On August 13, 2007, the Board of Masonic Park under direction from our Grand Lodge signed a contract with Eastern Contracting Limited for $1,865,237 dollars (not including interest) to commence the construction of "Freemasons Hall," upon land acquired by The Masonic Park Company Ltd., in 2006. The Board also advised that the current fundraising level achieved was only $240,000 and that the need for additional donations required for this project to achieve the $500,000 mark was now a little over $300,000. The Lodge Representatives present that evening were asked to spread the message to the membership that any one who has yet to consider, or would like to reconsider their earlier contribution to this initiative should do so now. This revelation of a funding shortfall was not lost on the Saint John's Lodge No.1 representatives present during that meeting, and no doubt that situation will be discussed with the Lodges' Membership at a suitable time and place. It was also noted that the completion date submitted by the current contractor is January 2008, and at that time the Facility should be ready to be occupied. It was pointed out during that same meeting, and of particular note to the Brethren of Saint John's Lodge No.1, that if tradition holds, Saint John's Lodge No.1 could be the first Masonic Lodge to not only hold a meeting within "Freemasons Hall," but also the first Lodge to conduct an installation ceremony there, as well.

On August 20th, 2007 the site preparation Commenced. (See below photos - future updates will be posted regularly for the information of our Brethren.)

Photo Updates - "Freemasons Hall"

August 23, 2007 - In the Beginning...

September 6th, 2007 - Northern and Eastern Foundation Poured...

September 12, 2007 - Southern Foundation Wall being poured.

At this September 2007 juncture many Brethren have been passing concerns regarding the height of the basement area currently being constructed for "Freemasons Hall." The representatives of the Masonic Park have advised that due to higher than assumed water table levels in the area of construction, it became necessary to change the elevations on the construction of "Freemasons Hall." Please refer to the Masonic Park Web Site for more details as they unfold. (see below link)

October 10, 2007

Some Back filling work has been done on the North side of the structure. project on hold, apparently awaiting the Roof Trusses.

(photos to come shortly)

Check back for continuous updated photos...

October 31st, 2007 - Saint John's Lodge No.1 officially vacated the Masonic Temple, located at 6 Cathedral Street, St. John's, Newfoundland.

November 7th, 2007 - A letter is received, at the home of the head of our Lodge appointed Property Committee, from the Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Newfoundland and Labrador demanding that the head of our Lodges' Property Committee attend a meeting of a Grand Master appointed Investigative Committee on November 26th, 2007, to defend the actions of the Lodge appointed Property Committee against a complaint registered with the Grand Master by a Brother in the Craft with regards to our Lodges' removal of some scheduled Saint John's Lodge No.1 Property from the Temple.

November 26th, 2007 - The head of our Property Committee met with a committee appointed by the Grand Master and successfully defended and demonstrated to the satisfaction of all those present that the Property Committee had acted in accordance to all previous Grand Lodge instruction, and had at all times remained in proper communication with those appointed to oversee the Lodges' vacating of the Masonic Temple located at 6 Cathedral Street, St. John's, NL.

December 4th, 2007 - The head of our Property Committee received an e-mail from the Grand Lodge Secretary which stated, "In consultation with our Grand Master we have reached a decision that since the exodus from the Temple is now complete, and with no repercussions from the new owners regarding the removal of property which was affixed to and formed a piece of the overall property, the matter is now closed. The Grand Master and the Committee deeply regrets the variance of opinions and is hopeful that in the future similar events will not occur."

February 2008 - photos of the Exterior of Freemasons Hall

February 2008 - Inside the "Blue Room" of Freemasons Hall

Brethren and friends of the Craft, are encouraged by our Lodges' Grand Lodge appointed Freemasons Hall, "Fundraising Champion," Wor. Bro. Glen Vokey, to keep your contributions coming in to the Masonic Park so as to offset the financial burden being shouldered by The Masonic Park Organization to construct this facility for the Fraternities needs. The current fundraising need as of September 13th, 2007 is reported to be an additional $300,000, as this projects estimated cost now exceeds $2.2 million plus, plus.

For more details related to this project please consult the webpage of the Masonic Park organization at http://www.masonicpark.ca/ .