In 1780, an intrepid group of Masons in Halifax, a city which was then less than 40 years established, decided that they wanted to expand their awareness of Masonry, and a Chapter of the Holy Royal Arch was erected, under the authority of the Lodge warrant (as was done in those days). Those intrepid sojourners are the ones we have to thank for our presence here tonight.
That early Chapter continued meeting, as change swirled across North America. Wars came and went (the American Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the American Civil War, the Boer War, the Great War, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and countless smaller conflicts) and still the Companions of Royal Union Chapter, as it became known, continued to meet. Sometimes, many of her members were off at sea, or fighting somewhere else, but still a hardy core of Companions kept the light burning for the expected return of her members.
Our predecessors did so well that Royal Union Chapter is the Oldest Continuously Meeting Royal Arch Chapter in the British Commonwealth Overseas. (There are older Chapters in England, but only a few!) A few years ago (Well, it SEEMS like only a few years ago), we celebrated our First 200 years of existence. The golden bars on our sashes are testimony to our service, each bar representing fifty years. At that time, our membership was in the range of 200! Today, we have suffered from the Grim Reaper, and many old friends who we remember with fondness are no longer with us. Others have been posted away, and have moved their memberships to other Chapters across Canada and around the world. Our numbers are much reduced; we have even had to resort to "re-cycling", in our own way, (asking Past High Priests to take additional years at the helm), but we go on, and the atmosphere here at Royal Union remains the same - Always happy to see new and old friends come through the door.
This year, we are well into our third Century of service to the Masonic Community of Nova Scotia, and I, at least, look forward to our next Centennial meeting, in 2080! I intend to wear one of THOSE medallions, properly earned! I will look to see each of you at that meeting.
J. Douglas Welsh, PHP
Grand Historian
District Grand Lecturer
Delivered by J. Douglas Welsh, PHP
Grand Historian
to Royal Union Chapter #1
March 22, 2001
Copyright© 2001 J. Douglas Welsh. All rights reserved
Note: Anyone wishing to use this lecture has the permission of R.Ex.Comp. J. Douglas Welsh to use it but credit must be given to The Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Nova Scotia for it's use.