AN ABRIDGED HISTORY OF DENVER LODGE No. 3167 E.C. by
Wor.Bro. Outhwaite P.Dist.J.G.W. Consecration and the first year of business
At a meeting held in an old Wesleyan Church building in the Johannesburg suburb of Denver on the evening of the 8th August 1905 Worshipful Brother James Arthur, a member of both the Jeppestown Lodge No. 2481 and the Albion Lodge No.2220, proposed that the time had
arrived for the establishment of a Masonic lodge in the suburb under the jurisdiction of the English Constitution. The proposal was seconded by Brother Wills of the Goldfields Lodge No.2478 duly carried by the twenty-one brethren present, and the events leading up to the formation of the Denver Lodge had been set in motion. Unfortunately the petition was not a straightforward affair and at a meeting in W.Bro. Arthur’s house on the Nourse Mines on the 19th January 1906 a letter from the District Grand Secretary was read which stated that the warrant had been refused! W.Bro. Arthur had interviewed the D.G.Secretary and ascertained that the use of the Geldenhuis recreation hall was the most serious objection and he had been recommended to approach Jeppestown Lodge for the use of their rooms, pro tempore. The consecration took place on Wednesday 18th July 1906 in the Masonic Hall, Hans Street, Jeppestown, with the District Grand Master R.W. Bro. Aburrow the consecrating officer. Nine of the founding members were present arranged in the following order:-
James Arthur Albion 2220 Cape Town
J.T.S.Hill Curwen Lodge 1400 Workington, England
Dr C.J.Lyons St.Patrick 50 Irish Constitution
John Noble Stirling 1989 Cleaton Moor, Westmoreland, England. W.E.Barron Pacific 1453, Reefton, New Zealand
F.J.Squire Germiston 2498
R.W.Kendall Stirling 1989 Cleaton Moor, Westmoreland, England
W.C.Evans Alliance 667 Liverpool, England
R.J.Rogers Cornubian 450 Hayle, Cornwall, England
The Installation Ceremony followed and W.Bro. James Arthur was duly installed as the first Master of the Denver Lodge. The Master and his Wardens were elected to frame the Lodge By-Laws and a large number of brethren, twenty-three in all, were then proposed and seconded as joining members. Two proposals for initiation were then read for Mr.D.C.Griffith, an assayer, and Mr. William Ashton, a contractor. The Lodge Premises
It will be recalled that the use of the Jeppestown Lodge rooms was temporary and continued until the 17th May 1907. During this time the committees of Denver and Cleveland Lodges met to discuss the possibility of building a joint masonic hall but this did not materialise and the stand in Mars Street, Malvern was subsequently acquired in February 1907 and James Arthur became the Lodge Trustee. There is no mention in the Lodge minute book regarding the building of the new lodge rooms until the last meeting at Jeppestown on the 17th May, only three months after purchase of the site. This minute said that “As we take possession at the end of the month, then dispensation must be obtained from the District Grand Lodge to hold meetings in the new building, that Brother Shaw the Tyler be given notice that his services will no longer be required, and that a notice be sent to the Jeppestown Lodge that the temporary use of their premises be terminated.” The first meeting to be held in the Mars Street Masonic Hall was on Friday 21st June 1907 and two third degree ceremonies were conducted. The First Valedictory Report
The first valedictory report was presented in July 1907 stating that twelve regular and eight emergency meetings had been held and the membership stood at 48. The master said that “great care and discretion has been exercised in proposing and admitting to membership of the Lodge”, that a masonic hall had been built for nine hundred and seventy-seven pounds with the help of a loan, that the stand is freehold and that he wished to have the building free of debt within two or three years. Note: the loan was anonymous at the time but Bro. Ashton, one of the first initiates, was the provider. The Early Years
The next two years saw a consolidation and strengthening of the Lodge with the admission of thirty-one new members of which twenty-one were initiates, and of interest at this point is that the Nourse Gold Mining Company provided a large majority of the new members. It would seem that a large drive for prospective candidates had been conducted amongst the workforce and the job descriptions of these brethren is worth a mention here in that positions such as Amalgamator, Cyanider, Battery Manager and Pumpsman were typical designations of the day. Other business matters gleaned from the minute books of the time were, that a proposal to form a Royal Arch Chapter was unanimously accepted at the regular meeting in February 1908; the chairs for the master and his wardens were anonymously presented in December 1910; and that a Lodge Banner was purchased from List Bros. for a little over fifteen pounds. In 1915 W.Bro. J.T.S.Hill finally became the Master of the Lodge. He was a prime mover in the Lodge’s formation and was to be the charter master but his occupation caused a great amount of upheaval in his life and this was his first opportunity of taking the chair. His brother W.Bro. H. Hill of Curwen Lodge No.1400 E.C. travelled from Cumberland, England and assisted in the Installation ceremony as Inner Guard and he also presented the first degree working tools. 1918 was a year of remembrances as the January regular meeting attended by the District Grand Master and 57 brethren was in commemoration of W.Bro. H.N.Ormsby, who had made the ultimate sacrifice at Gallipoli in 1916, and the Lodge had learnt of the bequest of a valuable set of books from the Administrator of his estate. Other members of the Lodge who went on active service were Brothers Thomas Edwin Cowin, Alexander McIver, Godfrey Smyth, Edwin Donald James Taunt, John Henry Wright and, last but not least, Charles Braithwaite who also lost his life when he was killed in action on the 15th April 1915 in German South West Africa. The Turbulent Twenties
A worldwide depression in the early twenties caused serious industrial disturbances on the Witwatersrand and had a marked effect on local Freemasonry. The white gold miners refused to accept reductions in their wages and sporadic strikes, begun in 1921, became widespread in 1922 when they formed themselves into “commandos” and terrorised, robbed and even murdered. General Smuts declared Marshall Law and using the Union Defence Force and the S.A.A.F, crushed what became known as the Rand Revolt. Over two hundred lives were lost and several of the miners were sentenced to death. While the Lodge continued to hold meetings during the disturbances the attendances began to decline and amongst the recorded apologies for absence were those of Bros. Holman and Emett due to performing security duties on the Nourse mines during the strikes. The March 1922 regular meeting was actually abandoned and at the April meeting the Secretary was obliged to read out a letter of authorisation from the Criminal Investigation Department allowing the meeting to be held! In March 1925, W.Bro. Arthur was appointed a steward to the Masonic Million Memorial Fund and was able to attend the festival held in July at Olympia, London. In a letter from London, read in open Lodge in August, he expressed his warm thanks to the Lodge for the privilege. This fund was created in honour of those brethren who had fallen in World War 1 and were to be remembered in the building of The New Freemasons Hall, Great Queen Street, London. The regular meeting on the 15th July 1927 marked the twenty-first anniversary of the Lodge, and W.Bro. Polmear DDGM, and other brethren made a total of eighty-three brethren in attendance. The Past Masters of the Lodge conducted a third degree ceremony. Godfrey Smythe gave a short address on the history of the Lodge, W.Bro. Cain addressed the brethren on the subject of the benevolence of the Lodge during its existence and W M. T.E.Cowin presented a portrait to Bro. Smythe who re-presented it to the Lodge. The decade had been one of great hardship where much benevolence had been needed. In the Lodge an appeal for assistance from a widowed lady of a past master had been heard, appeals of distress from the Mayor of Johannesburg had been met and W.Bro. Cain’s address at the 21st anniversary emphasised the work the Lodge had done in this regard. The Thirties
Following the general depravations of the twenties it was probably inevitable that membership activity would begin to decline and during the next ten years only seventeen new members were admitted to the Lodge, three of which were joining members. The Lodge was in good hands however as the real stalwarts of their time, Cain, Ferguson, Cowin, Musgrove and others kept their hands on matters and the Charter Master James Arthur and W.Bro.Holman still made periodical attendances. In fact, at the November regular meeting in 1936, W.Bro. Arthur expressed his pleasure at the continuance of the Lodge and, whilst noting the long period in accepting a new candidate, “thought that this was in keeping with the standard of the Lodge.” The minute books reflect little activity of a historical nature except perhaps for the upkeep and improvements to the Lodge property when plans were drawn up to provide an ante-room with a small coal burning stove and also toilet and wash-up facilities. The work was undertaken by a W.Bro. Sayle, a member of the Golden Thistle Lodge SC, who commenced operations early in 1931 receiving an “on account” payment of nearly fifty pounds but it was not until August 1939 that the final installment was made! Conflict Years and Beyond
World War II did not have any marked effect on the members of the Lodge and no one was called to active service. However their obligations to both Grand Lodge and District Grand Lodge War Appeals were always met and their contributions to the various Transvaal Masonic Benevolent and Educational Institutions and their interest in the well being of indigent wives and families both financially and otherwise was a marked feature of the minute books. The intake of new members remained sluggish at 24 in the 1940’s and 26 in the 1950’s and of these a larger percentage than of previous years were joining members from other Lodges and Constitutions. Throughout the war years the regular meetings of the Lodge had average attendances of thirty or more brethren due in no part to the efforts of the stalwarts who were very active in the district and at the installation of W.Bro. Fred Dixon in 1942, probably the largest attendance in history was recorded when more than 160 brethren signed the attendance register. In his valedictory report the following year he regretted that he could only manage 103 lodge visits due to occupational circumstances whereas in the previous year he had accomplished 164! W Bro. Dixon was a member of a family that can claim the greatest influence on the fortunes of the Lodge over many years. In 1938 he married a Martha Fischer whose father Wilhelm was Master in 1934 and whose uncle W. Thomas Ferguson was the Master in 1922 and was Treasurer for 15 years. Dan Cain, probably the Lodge’s greatest son, was a great friend of the family and did the catering at the wedding. Fred’s brother Alfred Dixon was Master of the Lodge in 1953 and his son Clifford became a member in the late 1970’s. In correspondence with Bro. Fred’s widow she tells us that he travelled many miles by train representing the Lodge in South Africa, the Rhodesia’s and overseas and that at the consecration of Coronation Lodge No 7329 in Chingola the Assistant Grand Master presented to him a booklet of Masonic music for the craft degrees. This booklet is now in the Lodge’s possession and is inscribed as follows:- “Presented to my dear friend and Bro. Wor,(Bro.) Fred Dixon, from Rt Wor. Major General Sir Allan Adair Bt. CB. DSO. MC., Asst Grand Master. God Bless you Fred and may you have many years of good Masonry”. The Second World War ended officially on the 7th May 1945 and Masonic thanksgiving services were arranged throughout the country and on the 22nd May the Lodge and its tenant lodge, Civil Service of the Irish Constitution, held a joint thanksgiving meeting at Mars Street at which some 24 brethren attended. The end of the war coincided with the 50th anniversary of the District Grand Lodge and the Jubilee Memorial fund was launched to raise funds for new headquarters in Clarendon Circle. Lodges that donated ten pounds for every subscribing member were awarded a collarette and jewel and Denver Lodge achieved this objective with double quota in 1960 whilst still managing with the upkeep of its own premises. The DGM, R.W.Bro. J.H.Vivian regularly attended the meetings of the Lodge in late 1954 and early 1955 giving the Charge-after- Initiation and presenting the Traditional History at regular meetings. He accepted honorary membership in February 1955 with acclamation “in recognition of your great work for freemasonry in the Transvaal and your close association with the Denver district” and his death in May of that year following a failed operation was met with great sadness. The Lodge celebrated its own Golden Jubilee in 1956 which was commemorated with a dinner dance held at the Wanderers Club on Saturday 18th August and guests of honour included W.Bro’s Roos, Wheal and Folly accompanied by their wives. The only surviving founder member, W.Bro. Dick Rogers was also present. A Lodge in Decline
The decade of the 1960’s turned out to be something of a watershed period in the Lodge’s history and its future appeared to be unsure. Cornew was elected to the mastership for a second time in 1962 and in his valedictory report stated that “the Lodge had carried on in a quiet sort of way……… and cannot maintain and uphold its honour on such slender support.” Past Masters then re-occupied the chair for four of the next six years and in 1969 W.Bro. Niel McAlpine was to write that “the Lodge has indeed passed through five lean years and I hope and trust that the silver lining is at last visible through the dark clouds” . He said his year had been “tinged with sadness…… very little has been done……” and recommended his successor “to prune the deadwood and cultivate the new growth. These were strong words from a very strong character and whilst they ultimately had the desired effect the early years of the 1970’s were still to be troubled years with dissenting brethren and the inevitable resignations. There were of course still some high points in the Masonic calendar and on the 15th October 1971 the Lodge initiated into Freemasonry Arthur D’Arcy Locke for years the doyen of South African sportsmen and regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time. As a teenager he had won the SA Amateur and SA Open Championships and the British Amateur Championship and went on to win the SA Professional Championship seventeen times. He also won the British Open on four occasions. The signatures in the Lodge attendance register are not now easy to identify but a notable absentee with a letter of apology was that of W.Bro. ‘Ted’ Ablett, not only in his capacity as Assist. DGM but also as Chairman of the CMR Golf Club! Due to his other commitments Bro. ‘Bobby’ was not often in attendance at Lodge meetings and did not hold any office but he was indeed a popular figure and was able to recount interesting stories at the festive board. Lodge Rejuvenation
W.Bro. McAlpine was of course the cornerstone of the Lodge during the troublesome period and his recommendation to cultivate new growth began to bear fruit. In 1972-73 sixteen initiates were admitted and overall their interest in the Lodge in particular and Freemasonry in general was commendable. In May 1973 an adjoining property was purchased for R16000 for use as a supper room and as an investment and initially a tenant occupied the premises. Meanwhile the fundamental business of the Lodge was also going apace and there was a very noticeable esprit-de-corps. At virtually every meeting a degree working was undertaken and a very high standard of the emulation working was being set by competitive ritualists. All aspects of Lodge business was in capable hands and the valedictories were now full of gratitude and appreciation. Apart from the usual thanks to the Lodge administrators, there were laudable comments relative to “the effervescent chairman of entertainment and fund raising committee, the almost perfect attendance of officers during a Master’s term, the representation on the Masonic Services Committee, and the support of the brethren when visiting other Lodges, when sometimes six and even nine brethren accompanied the Master. In the 1979 valedictory the W.Master was able to comment on the build-up of active past masters in the Lodge and this could well be taken as proof that W.Bro. McAlpine’s policies had prevailed. The 1980’s
The decade of the eighties was primarily dedicated to the improvement of the Lodge building and to a build-up in the number of tenants. The adjoining property which was purchased in 1973 was sold in 1982 to provide funds and in 1987 a loan and a grant was provided by the DGL Heritage Appeal Fund. During these years the Lodge building was totally renovated both inside and out, and major additions and improvements achieved. Amongst these were the extensions to the robing rooms when a sod-turning ceremony was attended by W.B.Freeman, a complete electrical re-wiring was undertaken, the outer façade was refurbished, storm-water drains were installed as was a new roof ventilation system, and the boundary walls were renovated. Meanwhile the list of tenants continued to expand and by early 1987 some fourteen fraternities were utilising the premises. Tenants meetings were introduced at which their specific requirements were discussed and enquiries were raised on matters of equity holding, assistance with the renovations, and property management. A unique event was organised in 1982 when nine members undertook a visit to the Denver Lodge No.5, Colorado, USA. They demonstrated the emulation 3rd degree ceremony to some one thousand American masons from Colorado, Kansas and Wyoming in the imposing auditorium of the stately Colorado Consistory and were rewarded with a standing ovation. At the conclusion a Q&A session ensued at which the Americans asked about the naming of this Lodge, and the colour variations in the aprons, and on retiring they crowded around to get their programmes signed by the South Africans. The members and their accompanying wives were hosted by the Colorado masons and were taken on outings to the Rocky Mountains, historic gold mining and cowboy sites and National Parks. A reciprocal visit by the American masons was made to Johannesburg in June 1984 which coincided with the annual meeting of the District Grand Lodge to which the DGM kindly invited them to attend and at which they presented the DGM with a set of gavels crafted from woodwork recovered from the ruins of their Lodge building which had been the subject of an arson attack earlier in the year. End of an Era or a New Beginning? In the publication ‘A Century of Brotherhood’, V.W.Bro. Vieler writes of the Lodge that, whilst it has a very capable nucleus of members and its future looks assured, the area in which it is situated has deteriorated posing a problem which may soon have to be faced. This problem had been in the minds of the brethren for some years and coupled with a number of small burglaries and the rising costs associated with keeping the fabric of the building in good repair, it prompted the inevitable decision to sell their beloved home. In 1997 they became tenants at the premises of the Kensington Lodge and from a Masonic point of view the move proved to be successful, the members settling well into their new environment and in 1999 becoming shareholders in the premises. The membership of the Lodge however has dramatically reduced and since the turn of the century the fortunes of the Lodge have become increasingly precarious. Whether it will survive many more years seems to be very questionable but we can rest assured that, from the Founders to the present day stalwarts, the Lodge has stood proud in the history of this District and may its endeavours be ever remembered. So mote it be.
