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Ionic Lodge No. 328 - Napier, Ontario - Established 1875


Meeting Info
Third Wednesday at 7:30pm (new time)
Closed July and August
Location
26005 Napier Road, Adelaide-Metcalfe, Ontario
Contact
Ionic Secretary



Ionic Lodge No. 328
A Brief History

On February 24, 1875, several devout Masons from communities surrounding Napier held a meeting in the village for the purpose of organizing a Masonic Lodge. It was decided that the newly formed lodge should be named Ionic Lodge. A room in the uppoer storey of a cabinet shop was obtained. After a dispensation was issued by M.W. Bro. William Mercer Wilson in 1875, R. W. Bro. W. D. McGloghlon reported that he had, on June 10, 1875, “. . . opened Ionic Lodge at the village of Napier” and that he felt it had started under very favorable conditions and a Warrant was recommended. The Board of General Purposes recommended that a Warrant be issued to Ionic Lodge and Warrant No. 328 was approved.

Five members of the Lodge served the colours during World War I and all survived their war service. During its existence, eight members of the Lodge have served as District Deputy Grand Master, including: R. W. Bros. W. S. Calvert (1888 - 1889), Eldon C. Freer (1934 - 1935), Johnson Frederick Richardson (1941 - 1942), Stuart C. Rowe (1960 - 1961), Bruce A. Patterson (1975 - 1976), Leonard H. McNeil (1985 – 1986), Ronald B. Glithero (2002 - 2003) and Jamie Robert Ireland (2010 - 2011).

Other members have served as Grand Steward, including: V. W. Bros. Alexander Cameron (1889 - 1890), Johnson Frederick Richardson (1935 - 1936), Archibald A. Fisher (1942 - 1943), William E. Denning (1961 - 1962), W. H. A. Thomas (1963 - 1964), Gordon E. Taylor (1976 - 1977), Clarence Winter (1984 - 1985), John K. Whiting (1986 - 1987), Ray McPhail (1993 - 1994), Bud R. Orr (1993 – 1994), Brian Payne (2003 - 2004), Alexander H. McLean (2011-12) and John C. Nywening (2024 – 2025).

Additional appointments to Grand Lodge rank include: V.W. Bros. Lyle O. Smith, Grand Sword Bearer (2024 – 2025), and James L. Patterson, Assistant Grand Organist (2024 – 2025). In July of 2024 the Masons of Ontario elected M.W. Bro. Jamie R. Ireland to be the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Canada in the Province of Ontario. M.W. Bro. Ireland was born in Strathroy and runs the family farm with his wife Kelly. They have raised four sons and welcomed a daughter-in-law as well as twin grand-daughters.

As a young boy M.W. Bro. Ireland started farming with his grandparents on the family farm. He completed high school in Strathroy and earned a diploma in Field Crops and Livestock from Ridgetown College. He worked for 29 years as an equipment operator for the local municipality, retiring to continue farming full-time. M.W. Bro. Ireland uses a 1947 McCormick Deering tractor in plowing competitions across Ontario.

In 1996 he knelt before the altar of Ionic Lodge No. 328 in Napier. His grandfather welcomed him and saw him be made a Master Mason before passing to the Grand Lodge Above. M.W. Bro. Ireland was WM of Ionic Lodge No. 328 in 2003. He received the support of Ionic Lodge in the election to be DDGM of Sarnia District in 2010, and that support continues.

There was a proud moment when, as DDGM, M.W. Bro. Ireland welcomed his son Matthew into the fraternity as a member of Ionic Lodge No. 328.

M.W. Bro. Ireland accepted an appointment to the Board of General Purposes in 2015 and was elected to the Board in 2017 and again in 2019. He has served as a leader of several committees and traveled across our jurisdiction to share information and encourage others. In 2022 he was elected Deputy Grand Master.

M.W. Bro. Jamie R. Ireland becomes the 11th elected Grand Master with a strong connection to Sarnia District. The expectation of excellence that is ingrained in our communities and our fraternity is fulfilled.

As a moon lodge, Ionic Lodge No. 328 met on the Friday on or before the full moon. In 1938 - 1939 it changed its meeting night to the third Thursday. In 1963 - 1964 it again changed its meeting night and now meets on the third Wednesday of each month from September to May inclusive in the Masonic Hall, Napier.