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Historical Notes
YORK
DISTRICT
The growth of the Greater
Toronto Area leads
to the initiation of the new Masonic District of
Toronto-York in 2006. In the year 2008 that name is changed to York
District.
In the mid 1850’s there were some 83 Masonic
Lodges in what is now Canada, and each of them was chartered by one of the “Old
World” Grand Lodges in England, Ireland, or Scotland. In an effort to bring some
consistency to the structure of Masonry in this part of the new world,
representatives from 41 of these Masonic lodges met in Hamilton Ontario on
October 10th 1855 and resolved to form the Grand Lodge of Canada. It
is interesting to note that Masonry in Canada precedes the actual formation of
the country itself, Confederation not taking place until 1867.
Starting from that rural and agricultural base,
the Grand Lodge met the needs of the Masonic community, initiating lodges,
defining districts, and providing the continuity needed for the survival of the
organization. For clarity, as the country grew and additional Grand Lodges were
formed within the nation, the name became The Grand Lodge of Canada in the
Province of Ontario.
From time to time various districts
in Ontario have been set up for the organization, originally named
alphabetically, and later numerically. In 2006 the districts governed by Grand
Lodge were once again re-aligned to reflect the growth and development of the
area. This time they were named for the locations they represent. York
District included twenty-one Masonic Lodges in an area bounded by Major
MacKenzie Road on the south, Airport Road on the west, as far north as the
community of Sutton, and as far east as Uxbridge. They met regularly in thirteen
Masonic Lodge buildings in this District.
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