Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Nassau Loyal Orange Lodge No. 4
Victory Loyal Orange Lodge No. 137
On March 31st, 1944 the lodge was instituted with 24 members, 11 by initiation. M.W. Bro. Leslie H. Saunders, Past Provincial Grand Master of Ontario West invited several of his Orange brethren to join in organizing an Orange Lodge "With a Message and a Purpose." Saunders was installed as the first Worshipful Master. The purpose of the new lodge was to place emphasis on Protestantism, patriotism, the public school, British heritage, Orange ideals and principles. The lodge's name was based on 1st John 5:4. Source: A history of Victory L.O.L. No. 137, written in 1989. Brunswick Loyal Orange Lodge No. 404
Carlton Purple Star Loyal Orange Lodge No. 602
Eglinton Loyal Orange Lodge No. 269
York Loyal Orange Lodge No. 375
Richmond Victoria Loyal Orange Lodge No. 778
Loyal Orange Lodge No. 778, July 12th, 1923, Toronto, Ontario.
Belfast Purple Star Loyal Orange Lodge No. 875
Ebenezer Loyal Orange Lodge No. 1589
Dian Loyal Orange Lodge No. 2054
Riverdale Loyal Orange Lodge No. 2097
Aughrim Rose of Derry Loyal Orange Lodge No. 2159
Aughrim Rose of Derry Loyal Orange Lodge No. 2159 received its warrant on May 10th, 1910.
Toronto Daily Star, Toronto, Ontario, July 12th, 1935.
Tobermore Loyal Orange Lodge No. 2391
Canada Loyal Orange Lodge No. 2710
Members of Canada Loyal Orange Lodge No. 2710 of Toronto, Ontario (Source: Bro. R. Grace).
Imperial Loyal Orange Lodge No. 2767
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Birchcliff Bible and Crown Defenders L.O.L. No. 2856
W.H.G. Armstrong Memorial L.O.L. No. 3001
W.H.G Armstrong Memorial Loyal Orange Lodge No. 3001 received its warrant on January 23rd, 1926. The warrant was issued to H.G. Purchase.
The Lodge was named in memory of William Henry Grattan Armstrong, born in Tandragee, County Armagh, Northern Ireland who settled in Peterborough, Ontario. His sons Cecil W. Armstrong and L.G. Armstrong were instrumental in naming the Lodge after their father.
The Lodge was named in memory of William Henry Grattan Armstrong, born in Tandragee, County Armagh, Northern Ireland who settled in Peterborough, Ontario. His sons Cecil W. Armstrong and L.G. Armstrong were instrumental in naming the Lodge after their father.
Giuseppe Garibaldi Loyal Orange Lodge No. 3115
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Giuseppe Garibaldi Loyal Orange Lodge No. 3115 was instituted in the city of Toronto on May 12th, 1930 in the Elm Street Italian Mission. It should be no surprise that some Italians are Protestants and Orangemen. Any student of religious history will remember the Waldensians who were percescuted and driven into the valleys of the Alps because of their faith. It is not known when the first Italian Protestants were in Canada. The Grand Orange Lodge of British America report in their 1858 records the name of Alfio DeGrassi, a member of Loyal Orange Lodge No. 137, who was a delegate to the Grand Lodge sessions in the capacity of Last Grand Tyler.
The idea of forming an Orange Lodge composed of citizens of the Italian community of Toronto was first conceived in the mind of Brother Carlo Lamberti who was a member of Dian Loyal Orange Lodge No. 2054, together with Reverend Brother Domenico Gualtieri and Brother Frank Andaloro. Support for the idea was given by W.W. McPhee. He was the founder of John Knox Loyal Orange Lodge No. 2996 and later the County Master of Toronto. Bro. McPhee was a great supporter and a regular visitor to the Lodge for many years and later became a dual member. His intense interest in Garibaldi Lodge and his constant words of encouragement earned for him the title of "Father of Garibaldi Lodge". Up until the time of his death, he was priviledged to have presented every Worshipful Master with his Past Master's jewel. The Centre District Master in 1930 was Brother J.R. Roaf, K.C., who occupied the chair for the institution of the lodge. He was assisted by his officers and Reverend Brother W.C. Riddiford, the field Secretary for the Grand Orange Lodge of Ontario West. The Provincial Grand Master, Brother Leslie H. Saunders was present. At the first meeting three members were received by certificate and twelve candidates were received by initiation. Brother Carlo Lamberti was elected to be the first Worshipful Master of the new Lodge. The first public appearance of the Lodge was at the Church parade of the County Orange Lodge of Toronto on July 6th, 1930, when nearly every member turned out to a march with the County Lodge to St. Paul's Anglican Church on Bloor Street. The Lodge marched in its first Orange parade on July 12th, 1930 as the guests of Nassau Loyal Orange Lodge No. 4. Because there was not sufficient time to purchase a banner the Lodge was given special permission by the County to carry the Italian flag at the head of the Lodge together with the Union Jack. During the 1930's the Lodge continued to grow and new members were added to the roll as the years progressed. The first social function was in the form of a concert and the records show that the proceeds were donated to the Loyal True Blue and Orange Home. A banner for the lodge was purchased in 1931. The banner was a painting of Giuseppe Garibaldi on the front and a painting of King William III on the back. Also included was Garibaldi's words "O ROMA, O MORTE" meaning Rome or Death as he proceded to enter the City of Rome in 1870. The first spaghetti supper was held in 1936, and they became famous throughout the years. Brother Bob Dermody, the caretaker of the Western District Orange Hall and a good friend of the Lodge vowed after the first spaghetti supper that there would never be another one because of the work involved in its preparation and the cleaning up after. Bob claimed that there was spaghetti on the ceiling, on the walls, and on the floor. When the time for the supper was near we had to be very cautious in approaching Brother Dermody. This item we always left to Brother Bruno who said, "leave it to me". He would approach Brother Dermody and offer him one of his big fat freshly rolled hand-made cigars and then asked him to book a night for the supper. Brother Dermody's reply was always, "I told you that there would be no more spaghetti suppers held here - what night do you want?" The close of the 1930's saw the declaration of war against Germany and the beginning of difficult years for the lodge. These difficult years continued until the war was over in 1945. The Senior Lodge and the Junior Orange Lodge suffered by the absence of the members during the war years. The records show that twenty members from both the Senior and Juvenile Lodges served with the armed forces of Canada. Brother E. Bruno and Brother J. Laviola were the first two members to enlist and go overseas. Two of our members were killed in action on the battlefield. We cherish the memory of Brother Dominic Ianuzziello and Brother Rocco Speziali. Brother Mario Faveri who served as Worshipful Master in 1934 was called upon to once again assume the office as we got further into the war. When Italy came into the war on the side of Hitler the members reacted quickly by removing the Italian flag that was painted on the banner and it was replaced with a second Union Jack. The lodge continued to show steady progress during the 1950's and new members were added to the roll from time to time. In 1957 a new church building was erected for St. Paul's Italian United Church and on the occasion of its dedication, Garibaldi Lodge purchased a pulpit Bible and presented it to the church in memory of Reverend Brother M. Scarlata. Brother Scarlata joined the Lodge in 1931 and was a devoted and staunch Orangeman until his death in 1955. He was the Chaplain of the lodge for fifteen consecutive years. Garibaldi Lodge has never been large in terms of numbers. The records indicate that ninety people joined the Lodge by initiation or certificate during the past fifty years. The records also show that the lodge has contributed people to the higher offices of the Orange Association. Brother Dominic DiStasi, Worthy Chairman of the Juvenile Orange Lodge in 1936 and the Worshipful Master in 1947 and 1948, was elected to the office of County Master of Toronto in 1954 and 1955. He also served as Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ontario West in 1967-1969. Brother Emmanuel Bruno was elected Centre District Master in 1948 and was County Master of Durham East in 1962. Brother Joe Speziali was the Centre District Recording Secretary in 1954. This historical sketch would not be complete if mention was not made of the close association between the Lodge and St. Paul's Italian United Church. During the past fifty years Garibaldi Lodge and St. Paul's Church have worked together in proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Protestant faith in the Italian community of Toronto. Many of our members have worshipped and still worship in St. Paul's and continue to hold office on many of its boards. It was among the members of the Church that the lodge looked to for its candidates. As already mentioned, the Lodge was instituted and met in the Elm Street Italian Mission which was on of the three branches of the Italian Protestant work in Toronto. Later meetings were held in Clarement Street Mission where the Reverend Brother M. Scarlata was the pastor. When the three Branches were united in 1935 to form St. Paul's Italian United Church the Lodge moved its meetings there. This sketch was written in 1980 on the fiftieth anniversary of the lodge by R.W. Bro. Dominic DiStasi. 65 Years Marked by Italian Lodge
The members of Giuseppe Garibaldi Loyal Orange Lodge No. 3115, Toronto, Ontario, recently marked their 65th Anniversary in the Western District Orange Hall amid a large attendance of visiting brethren. A warm welcome was extended by the Worshipful Master, Bro. Joseph Speziali who acknowledged the following dignitaries and bestowed Grand Lodge Honours: M.W. Bros. Norman Ritchie, Grand Secretary, Dave Griffin, Grand Treasurer, and G. Keyes, Hon. Past Grand Master; also R.W. Bros. J. Chalmers, Prov. G.M.., Grand Orange Lodge/Ontario West; S. Gilpin, JDGM/GOL/Ont. W; and G.R. Darroch, Gr. Sec./GOL/Ont. W.; Wor. Bro. D. Wilson, C.M. , Metro Toronto County Lodge and Wor. Bro. M. Roulston, P.C.M. All of the visiting brethren gave brief remarks and extended their congratulations and good wishes to Garibaldi Lodge. M.W. Bro. Dominic Di Stasi, Grand Master & Sovereign, Grand Orange Lodge, Canada was also in attendance but fulfilling the duties of Recording Secretary, a position he has held for many years. During the course of the evening, M.W. Bro. Dominic Di Stasi presented the Worshipful Master (who has held that office for more than ten years), with a 60 Year Service Pin in acknowledgement of sixty years of dedicated service to the Orange Order beginning with his inititation into the Junior Orange Association. The lodge was then presented with a suitably inscribed plague by R.W. Gerry Darrock on behalf of R.W. Bro. D. Dailey,. I.P.G.M./Ont. W. in recognition of attaining the largest percentage of initiations during 1994. The Guest Speaker was R.W. Bro. John Chalmers, Provincial Grand Master, who delivered a very educational and inspiring message giving a somewhat detailed history of the Italian leader "Giuseppe Garibaldi" whom the lodge was named after. Bro. Dominic Di Stasi gave a resume of the lodge's sixty-five year history and noted the difficulties and struggles endured during its formation. Towards the end of the meeting, a large birthday cake adorned with 65 candles was brought into the room as the brethren rose and sang "Happy Birthday". From the Sentinel, Volume 121, May/June 1995. |
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