Welcome to Battlefield Lodge A.F. & A.M. No. 61 G.R.C.
Building Brotherhood, Enlightening Minds
Events
Fraternal Visit, Elections & Initiation.
It is the Official Visit of our DDGM and we will be initiating Mr. Alan Byer to the mysteries and privileges of Ancient Freemasonry. There will be a banquet on this evening.
Our History
Acacia Lodge No. 61
Fifteen men showed up to attend a meeting of “Freemasons interested in the contemplated establishment of a new Masonic Lodge in Hamilton” at the City Hotel in June 1855. Elected chairman, William Comlyn Stephens, belonged to six lodges at the time:
- Grenadier Lodge No. 66 Grand Lodge of England (WM in 1853)
- St. John’s Lodge No. 40
- Barton Lodge No. 6 (Affiliated in Jan. 1855)
- Ancient Landmarks (Buffalo)
- Lodge of Strict Observance No. 27 (Affiliated Jan. 1855)
- Union Lodge No. 7 – he lived in Grimsby and eventually becoming an honorary member.
Thomas Bird Harris was elected Secretary. He had affiliated into the Lodge of Strict Observance and had been the first WM of St. John’s Lodge No. 40. Grand Secretary for 19 of the first 20 years of Grand Lodge. Our first meeting after dispensation was Friday September 14, 1855 for the Installation
Battlefield Lodge No. 714
During the year 1963, members of the the STELCO's (Steel Company of Canada) “M” Club discussed the idea of starting a new Masonic Lodge in Hamilton. The STELCO “M” Club consisted of approximately 600 members from various area Lodges, who at the time of joining the Club were employees of the Steel Company of Canada Ltd.Not being men of idle talk, a committee was formed consisting of the following brethren:
- W. Bro. Glen Hanson of Tuscan Lodge No. 551
- W. Bro. Sandy Griffin of Westmount Lodge No. 671
- W. Bro. Clayton Malchow of Hamilton Lodge No. 562
- W. Bro. Marty Birhelmer of St. John’s Lodge No. 40
- Bro. Everett Graham of Tuscan Lodge N0. 551
- BRO. Bob Philips of Tuscan Lodge No. 551.
The fruits of their labours were realized on the 29th day of June 1964 when Battlefield Lodge was constituted with 60 Charter Members.R.W. Bro. Eric W. Nancekivell, P.D.D.G.M. of Hamilton District “B”, lead 39 of the Charter Members into the Lodge, and R.W. Bro. Len Hewitt installed W. BRO. Sanford Griffin as the first Worshipful Master of Battlefield Lodge U.D.On Wednesday November 20, 2019 the two Lodges amalgamated becoming Battlefield Lodge No. 61.
On Wednesday November 20, 2019 the two Lodges amalgamated becoming Battlefield Lodge No. 61.
Membership
Freemasonry is the oldest and largest fraternal organization in the world. Its members share a common goal of helping each other become better men. Its body of knowledge and system of ethics is based on the belief that each man has a responsibility to improve himself while being devoted to his family, faith, country, and fraternity. Its roots go back centuries and its members are diverse: high profile leaders, physicians, construction workers, farmers…and maybe you. We’re united by three ancient and fundamental principles—brotherly love, charity and truth—that are made relevant to the 21st century through the personal development, good works and social connections available to our members in the 400+ lodges across Ontario.Masonry is first and foremost a fraternity rather than a service organization, social club or benevolent society. However, charity in the form of helping other people, is considered to be a cornerstone of the fraternity. Masons are spiritual and moral men who choose to associate with groups of like-minded individuals for mutual benefit. What they find in Freemasonry is a disciplined and systematic course of self-improvement based on the Golden Rule: always do to others what you would like them to do to you. Masonry offers the opportunity to make each man better through its teachings, his Masonic associations and a philosophy that has served the social needs of men for centuries, by promoting:
- Tradition
- Self Improvement:
- Sense of Accomplishment
- Fellowship - Belonging to a Like-minded Group
- A Break from the Workaday Routine
These attributes are summarized in the tenets, or fundamental principles of Ancient Freemasonry: Brotherly Love; Relief; and Truth. If these values address your needs, Masonry welcomes you. To find out more or to be contacted by a lodge member, please email: battlefieldlodge61@gmail.com. Our response may take some time so please be patient.
Officers
2024 - 2025 LODGE OFFICERS
W. Bro. Chris Anderson….........……………………….…Worshipful Master
W. Bro. Scott Devine ....................................... Immediate Past Master
W. Bro. Geoff Gipp………………........................ Senior Warden
Bro. Norm Boyd .…………….……….… Junior Warden
R.W. Bro. Graham Tait .....…………… Chaplain
W. Bro. Rod M. Mills..…………...….................Treasurer
V.W. Bro. Stewart Alexander …..................Secretary
R.W. Bro. Thomas F. Peddle ……………..... Asst Secretary
V.W. Bro. Alan Campbell ……….........…...... Director of Ceremonies
Bro. Ron Hill ..........................….………..................Senior Deacon
Bro. BillyDee Johnson ............……...............………………… Junior Deacon
Bro. Varney Teah………………………………… Inner Guard
Bro. John Barclay ………………………………………Senior Steward
Bro. Robert Wood ….…….…………....………………. Junior Steward
W. Bro. Richard Canfor ………...………………. Tyler
V.W. Bro. Alan Campbell ……...…………. Historian
Contact
- 4 Queen Street South, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- +1-905-541-6223
- battlefieldlodge61@gmail.com
- Third Wednesday of the Month September through June.