Lodge St. Patrick No. 239 was originally chartered on 5th March, 1791 and our first regalia was black with red and blue chequered edging, including similar coloured sashes. There were nine Founder Office Bearers, vis: Master; Depute Master; Secretary; Treasurer; Senior warden; Junior Warden;Senior Steward; Junior Steward & Tyler.
Our number was changed to 178 during a general revision of the lodges then on the roll of the Grand Lodge of Scotland in 1816, while of name was changed to Scotia on 3rd August, 1863. Our colours became those presently in use during April 1865, and we discontinued the use of sashes in 1912.
During the Nineteenth Century, it was not uncommon for multiple degrees to be worked, and this practice was particularly highlighted in March 1871 when four separate degrees were conferred during one meeting
From the outset, we met on second Wednesdays of each month, and this continued until September 1894 when we moved to Tuesdays, and finally, during 1945, changed to the present format of meeting on second and fourth Tuesdays, with a summer recess included for the first time.
Until 1912, the tenure of R.W.M. was entirely at the whim of the brethren, but from that year onwards, it was set at one year only.
Our present meeting place, erected in 1894, is the oldest purpose-built Masonic Temple in use throughout the West of Scotland, and is probably only headed in seniority throughout Scotland by Lodge Dalkeith Kilwinning, Lodge Fortrose and Lodge Trafalgar's respective premises...... although I look forward to hearing otherwise from visitors to this site!
To commemorate our Bi-Centenary, Glasgow City Council honoured us with a Civic Reception within the City Chambers on 5th. March 1991, to which 400 people, including guests and brethren, were invited.
© Bro. William D. Morrison, P.M.