A Brief History of Wavlery Lodge No. 361

Wavlery Lodge No. 361 was founded in on September 13th, 1877, Waverley Lodge No. 361 was granted its Warrant by the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario. For a period of 80 years, Waverley Lodge had the distinction of being the youngest lodge in the City of Guelph until awarrant was granted to Wyndham Lodge No. 688 on July 17th, 1957.

The first Master of Waverley Lodge was W. Bro. Wm. Tytler, who for many years was Inspector of Public Schools in this district. Tytler School in St. Patrick’s Ward was named in his honour. It was to him that the choice of the name “Waverley” was attributed, for in a previous history it is stated “knowing Dr. Tytler’s literary tastes, we may safely assume that it was he who suggested the name “Waverley” after Sir Walter Scott’s novel of that name.” 

The first initiations of the lodge were held on September 3rd, 1877. On that evening, two brethren were initiated, R.G. McLellan and M. MacGregor. Since this date there have been many men who have added their names to the Members Roll Book.

At Waverley Lodges 25th anniversary, The Roll had already reached 217 members, at the century mark, in 1977 a total of 1,293 men would have passed through the doors of Waverley Lodge. The first Members Roll Book was closed on October 6th, 1986 with 1,344 signatures and was in use for a total of 109 years.

Waverley Lodge has been very fortunate in the honours which have been gained by its members, many of whom have been outstanding in their fields of Government, education, business and other professions. There have also been several members of Waverley Lodge which have significantly contributed to Freemasonry. On July 20th, 1977, 20 members of Waverley Lodge attended the 122nd Communication of Grand Lodge in Toronto.

As a fitting way to close out the lodge’s first 100 years in existence R.W. Bro. N.R. Richards was elected to the office of the Deputy Grand Master, a first for Waverley Lodge and, at the time, only the second preferment for Wellington District. R.W. Bro. N.R. Richards would become M.W. Bro. N.R. Richards in 1979 as the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada, in the Province of Ontario.