The History Of Lodge Langside No 955

On The Roll Of The Grand Lodge Of Scotland.

The Founding of Lodge Langside.......

"In the spring of the year 1903 several conversations took place between Brothers John Wright Leckie, Master Mason of Lodge Plantation No. 581, James Ormiston Struthers, Past Master of Lodge Plantation No.581 and David Maxwell Goudielock, Master Mason of Pollockshaws Royal Arch Lodge, No.153, Regarding the expediency of setting on foot a movement for the erection of a Masonic Lodge in the rapidly growing districts of Shawlands, Crossmyloof and Langside, in which it was known that there were many Brethren, who, owing to distance, were somewhat out of touch with their Mother Lodges, and it was ultimately decided to call together a few more Brethren for further consideration of the subject.

The first informal gathering took place on the 25th day of April, 1903, within the residence of Brother John Wright Leckie, and was followed by other meetings, as recorded in the minutes engrossed upon the succeeding pages of this book."

The above extract was taken from Lodge

Langside No.955 Founders minute book No.0

The following Brethren were present at the very first founders meeting

held at 125 Peveril Ave, Waverly Park, Glasgow on 25th April 1903

Brother John Wright Leckie                 Lodge No.581

Brother James Ormiston Struthers    Lodge No.581

Brother David Maxwell Goudielock    Lodge No.153

Brother Ernest Mitchell                          Lodge No.87

Brother Harry Edwin Crow                   Lodge No.581

Brother Harry Graham Paul                  Lodge No.0

......Our First Office Bearers....

.........During Lodge Langside's First Year

            There were 20 regular meetings

            Total attendance - 1,070

            Giving an average attendance of 53

            Largest attendance - 121 (Mark Degree 14^th November 1914)

            The Lodge attracted 35 initiates and 2 affiliates

A Lodge picnic was arranged for the 10^th June 1905 by bus to East Kilbride. Children under 12 to pay half price, children under 6 free.  An instruction was issued to the organising Brethren to find out what accommodation was available for tea.

A Masonic evening cruise was held on the 12^th May 1914 on the SS Lady Rowena the charter cost being  £12-10/- (£12.50 pence) for 500 people and any number over this to be charged at  6d (2½ pence) per person.  The lodge sold 600 tickets so the charter cost £15.  The cruise resulted in a significant profit of £14-17/6d (£14.87½ pence).  The cost to-day for a similar evening cruise for 600 people on the SS Waverley would be almost £6,000.

During the First World War the Lodge had 42 brethren serving in the armed forces.  On the 13 August 1917 it was announced in Lodge that Bro.W. McCandlish had been awarder the DCM, although sadly it was discovered that the Brother was killed in action the very next day - 14th August 1917.  His name and those of our other fallen brethren were added to the Lodge Roll of Honour.  Brethren who remained at home served in - organising concert parties to entertain wounded troops in hospital and sending almost 1500 bandages to the Red Cross

The first time a member of the Lodge became an office bearer in Provincial Grand Lodge was on the 13th November 1916.

On the 6th November 1919 Grand Lodge passed Law 190a stating that no more than 7 brethren should be passed to the second or raised to the third degree on any one day.  This came into force on the 1st December 1919.  A special meeting was held on the 27 November 1919 at which 12 Fellowcraft were raised to the third degree. On 25th May 1921, 47 brethren were advanced to Mark Masters.

Our meeting place at Langside Halls was requisitioned by the Government in 1942 and the Lodge moved to Dixon Halls, returning to Langside in 1947.  The Lodge then moved to Butterbiggins Road in 1963 and to our current location in Clifford Street in 1988.

Like most Lodges we have suffered over recent years with the lack of candidates and the ever increasing difficulties that accompany most small organisations.  However, as has been the trend amongst its illustrious and hard working past members,  the present members have a strong and abiding passion for Lodge Langside and it is this inner strength which we hope will endure through the next 100 years.

Some World events over the last 100 years

1903:- Lodge Langside No955 Founded

Wright Brothers made their first flight at Kittyhawk.

Pepsi Cola Co formed.

Niagara Falls ran out of water due to a drought.

Ford Motor Company sold its first Model A Car

1928:- Our 25th Anniversary

Our 25th anniversary was held at the Marlborough House on 14th January 1928.

Alexander Fleming discovered Penicillin.

John Logie Baird made the fist colour broadcast.

The first guide dog for the blind.

Emelia Earheart flew the Atlantic.

1953:- Our 50th Anniversary

Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Edmund Hillary reaches summit of Everest.

Insulin isolated  for the first time

1978:- Our 75th Anniversary

First test tube baby born in Britain.

First micro on a chip patented by Texas Instruments.

Camp David Peace Treaty between Israel and Egypt signed.