Message from the East

The history of Freemasonry encompasses the origins, evolution and defining events of the fraternal organisation known as Freemasonry. It covers three phases. Firstly, the emergence of organised lodges of operative masons during the Middle Ages, then the admission of lay members as "accepted" (a term reflecting the ceremonial "acception" process that made non-stone masons members of an operative lodge) or "speculative" masons, and finally the evolution of purely speculative lodges, and the emergence of Grand Lodges to govern them. The watershed in this process is generally taken to be the formation of the first Grand Lodge in London in 1717. The two difficulties facing historians are the paucity of written material, even down to the 19th century, and the misinformation generated by masons and non-masons alike from the earliest years.

Freemasonry's long history includes its early development from organised bodies of operative stonemasons to the modern system of speculative lodges organised around regional or national "Grand Lodges"

Lodge of Fellowship No. 702 G.R.C.

By W. Bro. Sandor Cselenyi

The history of the Lodge of Fellowship, No. 702 G.R.C., naturally reflects the history of the community in which it is situated, and of its neighbouring lodges. The City of Richmond Hill had its beginnings in the early colonization and settlement of Upper Canada in the nineteenth century, when it became a stage-coach stop on Yonge Street’s military road linking the Town of York in the south with Holland Landing and Lake Simcoe to the north. Freemasonry, first brought to and practiced in the colony by units of the British Army, soon took root among civilian settlers, and in due course warrants were issued for lodges based in the growing communities of Upper Canada.

Richmond Lodge No. 23 G.R.C. was one such lodge, established in 1824, and it has served the population of Village of Richmond Hill and the Townships of Markham and Vaughan continuously since that time. For the next 150 years the namesake lodge grew in strength of numbers and financially, reflecting both the prosperity and the close-knit nature of the communities it served.

By the post-war years of the twentieth century, however, the character of the region began to change significantly. The 1950s brought rapid growth as new businesses were established and working class families relocated from Toronto and other parts of Ontario. In recognition of this expansion, the Village of Richmond Hill was incorporated as the Town of Richmond Hill in 1957. With this growth came an increasing number of Master Masons seeking affiliation, as well as new candidates desiring initiation into the Craft. It soon became evident that the needs of the Masonic population could no longer be met by the existing lodges.

True to the character of the Craft, the brethren responded with foresight, cooperation, and energy. At that time the Richmond Masonic Temple was located near the intersection of Yonge and Centre Streets. Anticipating future needs, the brethren undertook the construction of a newer and larger building at 112 Crosby Avenue, and moved in on June 1, 1959. This temple, owned entirely by members of Richmond Lodge, became the home of more than one lodge and serves as a centre of Masonry in Richmond Hill. It would become the first and only home of Lodge of Fellowship.

Later that same year, on December 2, 1959, a meeting was held at Richmond Lodge at which sixteen brethren signed a petition seeking permission to form a new lodge. The proposed name, “The Lodge of Fellowship,” was both deliberate and appropriate, reflecting the spirit of harmony, friendship, and wide inclusiveness that the founders hoped would characterize the new lodge. From among these brethren the first slate of officers was nominated, with W. Bro. Peter G. Savage designated as the first Worshipful Master.

The petition was approved on February 15, 1960, by M. W. Bro. C. M. Pitts, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario. The Lodge of Fellowship was duly instituted at its first meeting on March 8, 1960. The ceremony was conducted by R. W. Bro. Harry T. Blumsom, District Deputy Grand Master of Toronto District “C,” who presided in the Chair. The lodge was opened in the First Degree, after which the Secretary read the petition requesting the formation of the new lodge. The District Deputy Grand Master then read and delivered the Dispensation granted by the Grand Master, formally empowering the Lodge of Fellowship to open, conduct business, and confer the degrees of Freemasonry. The gavel was then placed in the hands of W. Bro. Peter G. Savage, who assumed his duties as the first Worshipful Master of Lodge of Fellowship.

Befitting a growing and diverse community, the charter membership of the lodge was drawn from a wide range of lodges and jurisdictions. In addition to brethren from Richmond Lodge, the founding members included brethren from Atikokan Lodge No. 668 G.R.C., Fort Garry Lodge No. 130 G.R.M., Imperial Lodge No. 543 G.R.C., Kenmuir Lodge No. 570 S.C. (Scotland), PittMacDonald Lodge No. 1198 S.C. (India), Rosemear Lodge No. 123 G.R.Q., St. Andrews Lodge No. 560 G.R.C., St. George’s Lodge No. 88 G.R.C., Simcoe Lodge No. 644 G.R.C., Speed Lodge No. 180 G.R.C., Tuscan Lodge No. 99 G.R.C., Vaughan Lodge No. 54 G.R.C., and Verulam Lodge No. 268 G.R.C. Particularly noteworthy was the presence of R. W. Bro. Archibald Cameron, a Past District Deputy Grand Master, whose experience and leadership lent distinction and stability to the new lodge.

 

Growth was immediate and encouraging. By April 12, 1960, fifteen affiliates had been admitted to membership and four candidates had been approved for initiation. The first candidate initiated into the lodge was Mr. Orval MaGee, on April 12, 1960. On that occasion, M. W. Bro. Harry L. Martyn made the first of his many visits to the lodge, establishing a tradition of strong interest and support from Grand Lodge officers. By the end of its first year, Lodge of Fellowship had reached a membership of thirty-nine brethren.

 

In common with Freemasonry in general, members of Lodge of Fellowship in particular travelled extensively and was a favorite destination lodge for many visitors. Reflecting its working class membership and camaraderie, Lodge of Fellowship benefited from the participation of degree teams associated with its members’ places of employment. During the era, it was not unusual for brethren to witness the degree teams from Ontario Provincial Police, Metropolitan Toronto Police, Ontario Hydro, North York Hydro, the North York Board of Education, Bell Canada, Canadian National Railways, Toronto Transit Commission, and others. Degree exchanges also took place with lodges throughout the District, including Richmond, Robertson, and Vaughan Lodges. Of particular note has been the annual exchange with Vaughan Lodge No. 54 G.R.C., a tradition begun in 1961 and inspired in part by the shared membership of R. W. Bro. Archie Cameron, an active member of Vaughan Lodge and a founding member of Lodge of Fellowship. This annual visitation remains a valued symbol of inter-lodge harmony and cooperation.

 

Socially and fraternally, the Lodge of Fellowship has always maintained close ties with Richmond Lodge. The two lodges have long shared many activities, including the annual children’s Christmas party, Ladies’ Night, family picnics, and joint participation in the Remembrance Day parade, at which a wreath is laid on behalf of all Masons of Richmond Hill. Attendance at installations and official visits has traditionally been strong, and over the years several brethren have had the distinction of serving as Worshipful Master in both lodges, further strengthening the bond between them.

As with all Masonic lodges, the vitality of Lodge of Fellowship has depended upon the steady arrival of new members. Over its first twenty-five years, a total of 185 brethren appeared on the roll, with membership peaking at approximately one hundred at any given time. This achievement is notable given the lodge’s relative youth and absence of long-established family traditions and past masters that benefit older lodges. As Ontario increasingly became shaped by immigration from around the world, the lodge reflected this youth and diversity, introducing brethren into masonry from many cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds who shared a common interest in the principles of Freemasonry and the local community. Despite its short history, the Lodge has provided the District with four District Deputy Grand Masters: R. W. Bros. Floyd Walker, David S. Bruce, Ian Sinclair and Ross Guerrero.

In more recent years, the lodge experienced a period of decline, marked by the passing of several devoted members and Past Masters. Lodge of Fellowship is still a relatively new lodge and never had many past masters, so the loss of such brethren as Ian Sinclair, Graham Leonard, Doug Bell, Meryl Cox, Ralph deForest, Leonard Harper, Bert Card, Doug Sephton, and others, during a short span was deeply felt. This challenge was compounded by the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, after which many newer members and officers simply did not return to active participation. 

Faced with the prospect of going dark, the few remaining Past Masters and affiliated brethren stepped forward to fill the officer chairs and preserve the continuity of the lodge. Special recognition is due to R. W. Bro. Ross Guerrero and V. W. Bro. Dana Thomas, who faithfully continued in the offices of Secretary and Treasurer throughout these difficult years, providing stability, institutional memory, and sound administration. Through their efforts, and those of others, Lodge of Fellowship was able not only to survive but to begin rebuilding.

By 2025, the Lodge of Fellowship numbers have surpassed fifty brethren on its roll and continues to grow. Roughly half of the membership consists of first-generation Canadians, with many brethren tracing their origins to the Middle East and Asia, reflecting the evolving character of Richmond Hill itself. While the backgrounds of its members have changed over time, the fundamental values of the Lodge have not. As the governance of the Lodge continues under the steady guidance of its Past Masters for yet another year, the recent influx of new members has embraced the Craft with enthusiasm and is advancing steadily and admirably through the chairs. Thus, the future bodes well for another generation.

True to its name, Lodge of Fellowship remains committed to fostering harmony, brotherly love, relief, and truth among its members and within the wider community, and thus remains a destination of choice for many to call home or visit. Lodge of Fellowship No. 702 G.R.C. stands as a testament to the enduring strength of Freemasonry: rooted in tradition, responsive to change, and sustained by the fellowship of brethren united by a common purpose.

 

Acknowledgement:

The First Twenty-Five Years: The Lodge of Fellowship A.F. & A.M. No. 702, 1960-1985, by R.

1. Bro. David S. Bruce, Richmond Hill, Ontario, 1985

OFFICERS OF THE LODGE
2025 – 2026
W. Bro Sandor Cselenyi
Worshipful Master

W. Bro. Shahram Amiri

Bro. Rolando Cleofas
Senior Warden

Bro. Noel Melegrito
Junior Warden
R.W.Bro. Ross T. Guerrero
Secretary
V.W. Bro. Dana Thomas
Treasurer

Asst. Sec. – Bro. Arsenio Pascua
Dir. Of Cer. – W. Bro. Rabih Awad
Chaplain – Bro. Gaylord Wasin
Historian – W. Bro. Sandor Cselenyi
Sr. Deacon – Bro. Freddie Magno
Jr. Deacon – Bro. Ariel Toda
Sr. Steward – Bro. Aaron Guillermo
Jr. Steward – Bro. Frederick Peralta
Inner Guard – Bro. Moid Yassin
Tyler – W. Bro. Eleno Paz