A most colourful article by VW Bro. Barry D. Thom, Author of the Phoenix Masonic Forum
St.Clair Lodge # 577, GL of Canada in the Provinces. of ON
In my 59 years of Masonry, I have visited many lodges, some unique, with Masonic wallpaper, and a wood burning pot belly stove, in the lodge room. Some magnificent, such as St. John’s lodge in Boston, Mass., with a 30 ft high ceiling, and a full pipe organ. There are 7 steps going up to the Master’s dias, 5 to the S.W. and 3 to the J.W. Others, very old, with ornate carvings on the chairs of the Principle Officers, the Mosaic Pavement painted on a piece of sail canvass. But one of the most beautiful lodge rooms is that found in Twillingate, NL. After 2 ½ years in our Covid Cave, only going out for groceries, doctors appointments, and take out food, we decided, enough is enough. We have been triple vaxxed, and we now must treat this as we do the flu, however, that being said we still are very cautious, wearing a mask in public places, and sanitizing. Our first four day outing took us to Twillingate, where we had made previous arrangements with Bro. John Holwell to visit the lodge there. Bro. John was very generous with his time and we shared over one hour in the lodge room. It is old, unique, magnificent, and one of the most beautiful lodge rooms that I have ever visited. The lodge was formed 133 years ago, however, the present lodge hall was built in 1907. Originally the lodge was # 2364 under the District Grand Lodge of England, and as such they follow Emulation Ritual. Their first Master was Wor. Bro. Andrew Gray.
![St. John’s lodge in Boston, Mass., with a 30 ft high ceiling, and a full pipe organ.](https://www.themasonicjourney.com/wp-content/uploads/cache/2022/09/unnamed_004/2811801489.png)
![The basic colouring of the lodge room is a pale celestial blue.
This photo does not do it justice.](https://www.themasonicjourney.com/wp-content/uploads/cache/2022/09/unnamed_015/1194384279.jpg)
![There is a bell that is rung during the 3rd degree. Everybody in town knows that a degree is taking place. The origin of the bell is not know. A large ship would have the vessel's name on it. A torn down church would most likely keep the bell, although displayed as a memory no longer to be rung. My guess would be a school bell?](https://www.themasonicjourney.com/wp-content/uploads/cache/2022/09/UNNAMED_012032/1808440886.jpg)
![This piece of furniture houses the Tracing Boards.
Each set of two knobs opens and displays one T.B.
This photo gives a better colour of the lodge room.](https://www.themasonicjourney.com/wp-content/uploads/cache/2022/09/UNNAMED_015035/3701485759.jpg)
![The framed photo at the top shows the year, 2016-17, when they were awarded the 'Lodge of the Year' award.
The commemorative plate marks the 100th Anniversary of the lodge and displays the names of all the Masters who reigned during this period.
Note the beautiful pattern on the tin plate wall.](https://www.themasonicjourney.com/wp-content/uploads/cache/2022/09/UNNAMED_016036/1042931160.jpg)