The formation of the Lodge materialized from a meeting of several Freemasons residing in and around San Fernando, which took place early in 1920, at the office of Bro Claude Ernest Burrows, who was afterwards installed as a Master of the Lodge in 1922.
It was decided to apply to the Grand Lodge of England for the necessary Charter to carry out the work of a Masonic Lodge in San Fernando and the application was made under the sponsorship of the Royal Prince of Wales Lodge, No.867 E.C. The proposed name of the new Lodge was “St. Andrew Lodge.”
During the period which elapsed between the application for and the ultimate receipt of the Charter, the building originally intended and named as the meeting place was no longer available. This was a building on the south side of the lower part of High Street, San Fernando, on the site now occupied by The Bank of Nova Scotia. The Officers and Brethren of Alexandra Lodge, No.1 044 S.C. courteously allowed the new Lodge to hold its meetings at their Temple, Mon Chagrin Street, San Fernando, and this continued for some years.
The ceremony of Consecration of the new No.3963 E.C. Lodge was held at the above Temple or Monday, 3l st May 1920, being conducted by WBro The Very Rev. Dean E. J. Holt, Past Master of Royal Prince of Wales Lodge No.867 E.C., Port of Spain, Trinidad, W.I., who was assisted by the following Officers:
WBro Thomas Boyd was the first Master
Regular Meetings continued to be held in the above-mentioned Masonic Temple, Mon Chagrin Street, San Fernando, until 1930. In 1928,a Committee of Past Masters was appointed to consider the possibility of building our own Temple. A suitable site for this purpose was obtained at Les Efforts. San Fernando.
At the Regular Meeting of the Lodge held on Monday, 8th April, 1929, it was resolved that the Report of the Building Committee be adopted and that they be authorised to proceed with the erection of the building in accordance with the Plans and Specifications prepared by Bro E. R. Gammon of the Royal Prince of Wales Lodge, and that the tender of the Trinidad Trading Co.. Ltd., for Ten Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty Dollars be accepted.”
At this meeting the Lodge was authorised to issue debentures up to the sum of eleven thousand dollars at 6% interest per annum to provide the necessary funds for the election of the Temple. The building was completed in 1930.
The debenture bonds were issued in units of fifty dollars each and many have since been redeemed from the general funds of the Lodge. In addition, a further considerable reduction of the outstanding debt has been made possible by the munificent gifts of Brethren of the Lodge in returning fully paid ap bonds for cancellation
The remaining balance of $1,650 debentures was liquidated from an issue of $1 4,800 5% debentures in 1953. This money was required for extensive repairs to the roof of the Temple, alterations and additions to the amenities, and the construction of a caretaker’s cottage. At the 31 sI December 1962, debentures to the value of $9,450 remained outstanding.
The Ceremony of well and truly laying the foundation stone of the new Temple was performed by WBro Thomas Boyd, the First Master of the Lodge, on Wednesday, 18th June, 1930.
The first regular meeting was held in the new Temple on Monday 11th August 1930, when the consecration Ceremony was conducted by WBro Robert A. Torrance (Master of the Lodge for the years 1921 and 1930) assisted by Very WBro G. F Huggins, Grand Inspector, who gave an Oration, and by WBro Mallalieu, Acting Chaplain.
During the life of the Lodge many generous gifts, other than the debenture bonds referred to above, have been presented by the Brethren, especially of furniture for the present Temple at Les Efforts. Notable amongst earlier gifts were the VS.L. presented by WBro Thomas Boyd and Working Tools by WBro the Very Rev. Dean E. J. olt