A Brief History of Lodge St Modan 985

In the winter of 1904 fifteen brethren in the Ardchattan and Bonawe area got together with the desire of forming a masonic lodge.

Sponsorship was provided by Lodge Oban Commercial 180 and Lodge Glencoe 884. The Brethren of those Lodges became founder members.

Application was made to the Grand Lodge of Scotland and the Charter was granted by G.M.M. Bro C.W.Ramsay on the 5th of May 1905.

The lodge held its first meeting on the 25th of May 1905 in the Episcopal church hall in Bonawe. It was decided to name the Lodge after the local Saint, St Modan. The charge for the use of the hall was one shilling and sixpence per meeting. The Lodge met regularly here every month until the 29th November 1905. They then moved to the village hall in Taynuilt. The charge for the use of the hall was one shilling and sixpence for the small hall and three shillings for the use of the large hall. The reason behind the move was the impending consecration of the lodge.

The consecration ceremony took place on the 7th Dec. 1905 in Taynuilt village hall. It was performed by the R.W.P.G.M. of Argyll and the Isles Sir Charles Dalrymple and his Office-Bearers. Immediately afterward he installed the R.W.M. Bro Hugh Mc Lucas and his Office-Bearers.

The Lodge remained in Taynuilt village hall until Dec. 1910 when they returned to the Episcopal chuch hall in Bonawe. Meetings continued to be held there until March 1918 when they once again moved back to the Taynuilt village hall. It was agreed at this time to hold the regular meetings on the third Wednesday of each month except May, June, July and August.

Taynuilt Baptist church fell vacant in 1943. The lodge made an offer to buy it, this was declined. The building remained empty and in Oct. 1952 the Baptist church board accepted the sum of £700.00 from Lodge St. Modan 985 for the premises.

The ceremony of dedication took place on the 5th April 1960 and was performed by the R.W.P.G.M.of Argyll and the Isles Bro John Burgess and his Office-Bearers. A dinner and harmony followed which was held in the Taynuilt village hall.

The lodge remains in good heart with good regular attendance and a steady intake of candidates which makes Freemasonry very strong.

P.M.Bro. Hamish Emslie



 

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