In many small towns a century ago Freemasonry was often intimately linked to the founding and development of the community. In Oakville, this is certainly true, the town’s leading citizens were also dedicated members of the Masonic fraternity.
In 1827, William Chisholm purchased land at the mouth of Sixteen Mile Creek from the government. Here, along with settling his family and establishing businesses interests, he also founded the Town of Oakville.
Pioneering business wasn’t Chisholm’s only passion. He was also a dedicated Freemason who was a member of St. Andrew’s Lodge located in York (Toronto). You can begin to appreciate how important his involvement in Masonry was when you consider that attending the Lodge was a 22 mile trip by horseback, a two day commitment there and back. William’s sons George King Chisholm and Robert Kerr Chisholm also became members of the same Lodge in York.
By the 1850’s Oakville had grown into a thriving community. A number of the town’s business leaders and ship Masters who frequented the port were also members of Masonic Lodges in York. They gathered together under the leadership of George King Chisholm (Oakville’s first Mayor) and petitioned the Grand Lodge (Freemasonry’s governing body) for permission to establish a local Lodge.
On January 11th, 1868 White Oak Lodge No.198 was formed. The name was chosen to honour William Chisholm, as this was the name bestowed on him by the Mississauga Indians in recognition of his honesty and integrity. George King became the first Master of the Lodge and the membership list reads like a “Who’s Who” of the town.
Lodge meetings were monthly, on Tuesday closest to the full moon. The first lodge hall was in William Robertson’s hardware store located on the southwest corner of Lakeshore Road (was called Colborne St.) & Navy Street, where The Granary condominiums now stand. Later the lodge moved across Navy Street where they rented the second floor of John Barclay’s dry goods store on Lakeshore
A Fresh Start
In the 1870’s Canada was a very new country going through some expected growing pains. The Town of Oakville, like so many communities at the time became embroiled in political differences. Local Masons were not immune to the conflict and eventually membership in the Lodge suffered. Fortunately, members of White Oak Lodge recognized the danger their actions posed to the survival of the Lodge and what it stood for. In true Masonic fashion, they agreed to set aside their differences and make a fresh new start.
In January 1882, White Oak Lodge agreed to surrender its Charter to the Grand Lodge. At the same time, members sought permission to form a new Lodge. Members from opposing sides set aside their politics and worked together in harmony to build a solid Masonic community in their town. On November 16, 1882, a dispensation was issued and Oakville Lodge numbered 400 was registered by Grand Lodge. The first of regular meetings began on December 19, 1882, where 44 members of the former lodge were accepted as members of Oakville Lodge.
The first candidate to be initiated into Oakville Lodge was Mr. W. B. Chisholm, nephew of Colonel William Chisholm, the founder of our town. Nephew W.B. Chisholm was the original owner of the Oakville Basket Company which stood on Cross Ave. at Trafalgar Road until it was demolished around 1980. The future looked bright, but the fickle finger of fate was not finished. In April 1883, a fire started in the offices of the newspaper in the same building as the lodge hall. It destroyed the whole block except the Halton Inn which still stands today.
Within a year, the building currently at the corner of Navy Street and Lakeshore was erected and called the Romain Block. On January 28, 1884, the second floor was dedicated as the new Masonic Hall. The original exterior building name plaque above the top window at the west end of the building has now been replaced and a new plaque has been installed. The Square and Compasses are now easily seen.
As membership in Oakville Lodge grew, it became obvious that larger quarters were necessary and so in February 1919 a concerted effort was begun to obtain a new building. Later in July, this current property at Church and Thomas Streets was purchased.
Funding was a long and slow process, however in June 1923, Bro. Connery, an architect, submitted plans and specifications for this building. These were approved in September 1923. With the decision to proceed having been made, Bro. Connery very generously donated the plans for the lodge building.
In October 1923, the contract was awarded to Thomas Shields for $17,800. We do not know the details of the contract, but we do know that much of the labour was given freely by lodge members. We also know that this is still true today, because much of the maintenance of this building is given freely by the members. Foundations were completed by the end of 1923 and the building was completed during the summer of 1924. The dedication and consecration of the building was conducted on October 7, 1924, by the Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother W. J. Drope.
True to the dream, Freemasonry continues to flourish in the Town of Oakville. The combined membership in this building of the two Craft Lodges, Chapter and Shrine is more than 200 members, proving that the vision of the original founders was far reaching.
To Be A Mason, Ask a Mason…If you’re thinking about becoming a Mason, you’re likely already aware that the fraternity has many longstanding traditions and customs. Perhaps the first you will encounter is the prohibition against soliciting new members. Masons believe that those who show genuine desire and interest in becoming members are best suited to being Masons. Only YOU can really know if you are prepared to be a Mason and so it’s up to you to seek membership. It’s as simple as that… to be a Mason, ask a Mason.
Original author unknown, additional information by V.W. Bro. Carberry and edits by Bro. Norman. (2025)
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Oakville Lodge № 400 