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Chapter
I
The
beginning to 1888
 In
1883, Glasgow was in terms of population, area and industrial
enterprise one of the leading cities of a vast Empire.
The 1881 Census recorded a population of 511,415 and
in particular the Burgh of Partick, with which we are
concerned, had a population of 39,028. Industrially,
the city was almost unique in the United Kingdom because
of its broad industrial base. It did not rely like many
cities on a single industry for its prosperity. Shipbuilding,
heavy engineering, textiles and printing all contributed
to the common wealth.
It is clear that the desire to erect a new Lodge in
Whiteinch was the product of one main factor. As a trading
nation, Britain required merchant vessels and as a major
international power her navy needed to be strengthened.
In 1871, the Fairfield Company opened and by 1875 claimed
to be the greatest shipyard in the world. In the same
period Alexander Stephen and Sons moved to the Clyde
from the North East of Scotland. Perhaps most significantly
for us in 1876, Barclay Curle Ltd. moved to the north
bank opposite Linthouse. Its chairman was Sir Andrew
McLean of whom we shall hear more later. In 1883, the
number of new vessels launched on the Clyde was 379,
whose total tonnage was 404,383.
Thus many craftsmen were attracted to this area by
the possibility of better and more secure employment.
They probably owed no loyalty to their adopted home.
Living not in Partick but in Whiteinch and finding their
friends among 'immigrant' workers, they felt a desire
to form a lodge of their own. Many were members of Lodges
which contained Saint John in the titles. This may provide
an explanation of our name.
It is appropriate at this early stage in the History
to consider the attitude of Partick St. Mary's toward
the erection of a new Lodge. In the newspaper, the Weekly
Gazette, on 22nd February, 1908 which described the
Consecration of the new Burgh Hall, it was stated that
'two Brethren of 117 had travelled to Edinburgh to oppose
the granting of a Charter.' There is no record either
at Grand Lodge or in Partick St. Mary's minutes of such
opposition. There were however among our Founder Members
Brethren of 117. One of these, Bro. James Faith, attended
'a meeting which was held in Whiteinch on Thursday 21st
December, 1882 for the purpose of supporting a resolution
to erect a new Lodge in Whiteinch.' He was reprimanded
in hos own Lodge for having made 'use of some very offensive
and insulting remarks derogatory to and repugnant to
the fair name of St. Mary's Lodge.' It is interesting
to note that our Sponsor Lodges were the Lodge of Glasgow
St. Mungo No.27 and Lodge St. Andrew No. 465. Perhaps
this does indicate an initial coolness on the part of
St. Mary's towards a new Lodge. The years thereafter
reveal that any animosity could not have been deep-rooted
or extensive. Very close fraternal relations were soon
established.
In Provincial Grand Lodge, there was concern that in
setting up a new Lodge no harm should be done to St.
Mary's. The Acting Provincial Grand Master Bro. William
J. Easton recorded his concern on the Petition praying
for a Charter in these terms:
'Whiteinch is a growing place having there a few shipbuilding
yards. It is one mile west from Partick where there
is handsome Masonic Hall in which Lodge 117 meets and
I would be sorry if the establishment of a Lodge at
Whiteinch should in any way injure that in Partick.
The information I have received has led me to think
that it will not.'
Grand Lodge in its wisdom granted a Charter in the
name of Saint John Whiteinch with the number 683 on
the roll of the Grand Lodge of Scotland. There were
23 founder members.
The following is an extract from the Proceedings of
Grand Lodge, 3rd May 1883, page 74:
"The minutes of Grand Committee were put for approval,
when those referring to the following recommendations
were unanimously confirmed:
1. That Brothers Jasper M. Pownell and Don A. Woodward
be appointed Representatives to the Grand Lodges of
Arkansas and New Hampshire respectively.
2. That Charters be granted to Lodges Saint John Whiteinch,
Glasgow No. 683, St. Clement No. 688 and Luce Abbey
No. 689."
The Charter Master was Bro. John F. Imrie, a Past Master
of Lodge Troon Navigation No. 86. He must have been
a man of considerable Masonic experience sincre he occupied
the Chair of his Lodge from 1869-1875. It is evident
from the records of this peroid that Bro. Imrie was
not present in the Lodge on very many occasions. In
1883, Andrew Martin Smith assumed the Chair. He remaind
Master until 1888. Unlike nowadays where a different
Brother is installed as R.W.M. each year, it was in
former times difficult to find Brethren willing to occupy
the highest office in the Lodge. A survey of the list
of Past Masters will reveal that such a situation prevailed
until 1925.
The first meeting place of the Lodge was in a room
and kitchen in a George Street tenement. To provide
more suitable accomodation, another two apartments were
added. Members carried out work on the flat in their
own time. A lease of the premises was taken for five
years. One of the conditions of the contract was that,
on removal, the house would be restored to its original
state.
In its first few years of existence, the Lodge experienced
serious difficulties. The Minute Books show that often
a sufficient number of well-qulaified Brethren were
not present in order to open the Lodge. The dull state
of trade in the district was blamed. The economic situation
was also used as a reason for not having a harmony at
meetings.
Appendix 3 nevertheless indicates the interest of the
Members in their Lodge. Such a number of contests for
offices is in modern times unheard of. Having studied
the statistics of the Nomination Meeting of 6th November,
1884, it is a wonder how long the meeting lasted.
It is proper now to return to the relationship between
St. John Whiteinch and Partick St. Mary's. Brethren
of St. Mary's from May 1883 made very frequent visits
to Whiteinch and I am sure that the reverse is also
correct. There is evidence of still closer friendships.
In September 1885, Robert A. Fraser was made an Honorary
Member of 683 as was the R.W.M. of St. Mary's, David
Draper in November 1886. A Dramatic Performace of Rob
Roy was held later in the same decade in the Partick
Burgh Hall in aid of the funds of both Lodges. About
the same time, local Member of Parliament A. Craig Sellar,
whose Mother Lodge was the Lodge of Holyrood House (St.
Luke), was awarded Honorary Membership. Perhaps the
most popular Brother to receive a similar honour was
Sir Andrew McLean, a prominent member of St. Mary's.
Sir Andrew, who lived at Viewfield House, Balshagray,
was highly regarded in the locality. Indeed his entry
on one occasion into St. John Whiteinch was greeted
with tumultuous applause from the Brethren.
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