St. Alban's Lodge, Toronto, was instituted on the 16th of June 1913, by M.W. Bro. Aubrey White, Grand Master, who was assisted by a large number of distinguished brethren. R.W. Bro. F.W. Harcourt, K.C. was placed in the Chair as the Worshipful Master. The workings of the Lodge, while under a Dispensation, were most successful.

​

Having had its Warrant granted at the meeting of the Grand Lodge held at Niagara Falls, Ontario, in July 1914, the Lodge was constituted and consecrated by M.W. Bro. W.D. McPherson, K.C., Grand Master, on October 19th 1914. On this occasion the lodge room was beautifully decorated, and many prominent brethren were present, including many of the Masters of the city lodges.

​

The name selected for the Lodge is an interesting one in Masonic lore and was well chosen. St. Alban was proto-martyr of England, as the legend sets forth. He was born in the third century at Verulanium, now St. Alban's, in Hertfordshire, England. In his youth he visited Rome and served seven years as a soldier under Emperor Diocletian.

​

On his return to Britain, he embraced Christianity, and was the first who suffered martyrdom in the great persecution which raged during the reign of that Emperor. Freemasons of England have claimed St. Alban as being intimately connected with the early history of the fraternity in that country.

​

In an old manuscript it is said: St. Alban loved Masons well and cherished them much, and made their pay right good; for he gave them two shillings per week and four pence to their cheer; whereas before that time, in all the land, a Mason had but a penny a day and his meat until St. Alban mended it. And he got them a charter from the King and his Council to hold a General Council, and gave it to name Assembly. Thereat he was himself and did help to make Masons and gave them good charges.

 

If the brethren of the Lodge will live up to the ideals so beautifully exemplified in the life of the proto-martyr, St. Alban, then will they truly be Masons in spirit as well as in name.