Local Foundation Stones

18th and 19th Century lodges used to be present at the laying of foundation stones of most new buildings within their area and also attend further afield in large towns such as Glasgow and Edinburgh. erected by the contributions of many admirers of Scotia’s Bard in memory of his early love Mary Campbell or Highland Mary.” It can still be seen in the Old West Kirk graveyard.

242 was present at the foundation stone ceremony of the Customs & Excise Building in Greenock on 2nd May, 1817 when the lodge was only 5 years old! It cost approximately £30,00 and was built mainly be ex-soldiers probably from the Napoleonic Campaign.

The lodge attended the ceremony of the old Relief House in Johnstone on 29th March, 1824 (as were St. Barchan No. 156). The local paper gives a later date, but this might not have been the actual ceremony which would take place earlier than the main building. This was a Presbyterian Church and was one of only three before the disruption in 1843. The other two being the Burgher Kirk (1791, now St. Paul’s) and the High Church (1792, now the High Parish).

The relief church was opened in 1829 in Walkinshaw Street—it was also called the East Parish Church which united with the Burgher Church (later the West Parish) to form St. Paul’s. There are no images of this building.

In January, 1842, the lodge returned to Greenock for the opening of Highland Mary Statue. According to a report published in the Greenock Advertiser on 23rd January 1842 a sealed bottle containing an inscription, coins and newspapers was placed in the cavity of a stone. The inscription read: “The structure which is over this stone has been On 18th June 1859 Lodge St. Barchan No.156 assembled and preceded by instrumental band, proceeded through the village via Barholm to Johnstone where the brethren of 242 joined them.

All then marched to Linwood where a foundation stone was laid at the new church. The blessing was given by Rev. Robert Graham and Mrs Speirs of Caldess deposited a box containing coins and papers in a cavity within the stone. The Lodge returned home to Kilbarchan by way of Burnbrae House Elderslie, Thornhill and Johnstone where the 242 brethren invited them in for refreshments.

Another, well documented in the Cross Keys, was the ceremony conducted by Bro. Provost Love for the Municipal Buildings on 17th June 1887 in Collier Street (now a dentist) next to the lodge.

A rather strange one was in 1863 when the lodge conducted a re-dedication ceremony on the Masonic Arms Pub in Bridge of Weir then the lodge opened (in the pub) to initiate one cotton spinner. This was actually the second time 242 met in BoW—the first being in 1813 when 5 were initiated from the mil, but the location was not minuted.

In 1901, the lodge attended the building of Lodge Doric Kilwinning No.68 in Port Glasgow (as shown).

Without going into too many details involving a sordid argument between the Knight Templars of the US and the CBCS of the US including law suits, the Grand Master of the Templars was shown on the front cover with the statement at the bottom: I never forget loyalty, not do I forget betrayal. Wow!!!! Quite rightly many took this as a threat

An historic gathering took place last March, and I don't mean in a happy, smiley-face historic way. Michael B. Johnson, Most Eminent Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States(shown), has been removed from office at a Called Special Conclave held in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Johnson has been replaced as Grand Master by David Kussman, and will retain the title of Past Deputy Grand Master. Some 291 Templars in attendance cast their votes, and the decision to remove Johnson was overwhelming: 219 in favor of his removal, 57 against, with 15 spoiled ballots. And we thought we could disagree!!!

RAC No.109 Display Cabinet

Most brethren will have noticed the RA Chapter display cabinet.

Unfortunately, most items are newish so if any brother has an Royal Arch items from pre-1980, I would be delighted to include.