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A Brief
History of Isis Lodge
The
Isis Masonic Lodge in Childers is a two storey timber building constructed
in two stages, the first in 1897 and the second in 1909, to the design
of Bundaberg architect Frederick Herbert Faircloth. Located in Macrossan
Street, a block behind the main street of Childers, the building survived
a major fire in the town in 1902 and remains as one of the oldest
buildings in the town.
The
Freemasonry movement was an integral part of community life in the
19th century and the establishment of a Lodge was a local event representing
progress and consolidation of the community. The first meeting of
Freemasons in the Childers district took place in 1894 and was called
by Constable Richard Henderson and Thomas Gaydon, a local chemist.
Early
members came from all three constitutions of the time, the English,
Scottish and Irish and a vote was taken at a second meeting in January
1895 which resolved to establish a Lodge under the English constitution.
This was achieved in April of the same year with the inauguration
of the Corinthian Lodge No. 2573 EC. There were 14 founding members
and the Master was Worshipful Brother Robert Henry Blissett who had
been master of the Star of the East Lodge in Maryborough.
The
opening ceremony and consecration of the Corinthian Lodge took place
in the Isis Divisional Board's Office on 4th April, 1895. Subsequent
lodge meetings were held in the Childers schoolroom, with furniture
and regalia provided by sponsor Lodges in Maryborough and Bundaberg.
Members paid a joining fee of £1/1/- for members of English
Constitution Lodges and £1/11/6 for members of other constitutions,
a portion of which went towards a building fund.
A
hall committee was formed in July 1896 and the land in Macrossan Street
was purchased in April 1897 upon this committee's recommendation,
at a cost of £30. Members of the lodge cleared the land and
donated money and goods towards the new hall. A single storey timber
hall was proposed and funding was provided in the form of a loan from
Wor. Bro. Blissett who matched the interest rates offered by the Bank
of North Queensland.
The
first Lodge meeting was held in the new hall on 8 October 1897. By
1908 it became apparent that the hall was not big enough and Faircloth
was again approached to provide plans for an additional storey to
the hall. J.E Sharpe's tender of £368 was accepted and the enlarged
hall was consecrated on 9 July 1909.
Two
storey halls were a popular form for Lodges in Queensland - the upper
floor would be reserved for Lodge meetings and the lower floor provided
space for a range of public events, such as dances, euchre and smoke
nights, picnics and sports days. Founded on principles of fellowship,
charity and "the practice of moral and social virtue", Freemasonry
thrived in the absence of Government welfare and Freemasons supported
each other and their families, particularly in country areas.
In
1920, the two Grand Lodges of Queensland merged to form the United
Grand Lodge of Queensland, ending years of division within the Freemasonry
movement in Queensland. As a consequence, the name of the Corinthian
Masonic Lodge in Childers was changed to it's current name - the Isis
No.93 UGLQ first appearing in the minutes of 11 November 1921.
Minor
alterations have taken place over the years, including the installation
of electricity in 1915, replacement of weatherboards in 1956 and rewiring,
re-stumping and replacement of the corrugated iron roof in 1976. A
kitchen and toilet have been added to the rear of the building.
