The Founding

Pioneers and Founders - what visions these words have conjured up in the minds of men down through the ages. Our story in this early stage of the twenty first century is not concerned with the daring exploits of intrepid explorers who have crossed the burning sands of the desert, the frozen polar regions, or the penetration of the jungles in the humid tropical countries, but it is concerned in kindling in the hearts of all the members of Lodge Craigielea a greater appreciation of the boundless heritage and opportunities left to us by the brethren, who by their vision and untiring efforts, founded our Lodge.

These brethren whose faith in Freemasonry was built on an unshaken belief, veneration and reverence for brotherly love, desiring the good of all men, and at this time, it is with grateful hearts we pause to pay tribute, and honour the founder members of our Lodge, who built an edifice in their native town founded on the principles held dear to them, a system of morality, as their contribution to their day and generation.

What manner of men were these founders of Lodge Craigielea, and what were the conditions prevailing in the town of Paisley, which prompted these brethren to further the interests of Scottish Freemasonry, by accepting the herculean task of founding and establishing a new Lodge? It can be said that our Founders sought no fame or acclaim in the task which they had dedicated themselves. Their vision was the realisation of brotherly love, creative and all pervading. They were without doubt, brethren of sincere modesty, and they were endowed with their native spirit of personal independence, together with an admiration for the dignity of daily toil and craftmanship.

Our Founders faced their heavy responsibilities, pledged equally to participate in the pleasures of real happiness, and to offer sympathy and render help to their fellow men, who were less fortunate than themselves. The brethren of Lodge Craigielea reverently salute all our Founders, we offer thanks to The Great Architect, that these brethren, by their efforts and their faith in the tenets of our Order, enabled their successors in Lodge Craigielea, to further the interests of our Craft, and we in our gratitude now hail them as true disciples of brotherly love who kept the faith.

The Time and Place

The 11th November, 1918 and as the eleventh hour of that fateful day struck, the town of Paisley, in common with the cities, towns and villages of our country, were quite unable initially, to fully appreciate that an armistice had been signed. In the spring of the following year a great resurrection was beginning throughout the length and breadth of country, men who had fought in the defence of their country were being demobilised and returning home to their loved ones, resolved to devote their energies, where the dignity of all men would be the prime consideration and it was significant that a number of these returning service men would become interested in Freemasonry.

Since the consecration of the first Masonic Lodge in Paisley, the members have always been pillars of strength in the furtherance of the principles and tenets of the Order as laid down by the Grand Lodge of Scotland, and a great source of help to the guiding hands of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Renfrewshire East. In 1919, the town of Paisley had three Masonic Lodges within its confines, Paisley St.Mirrins No. 129, Renfrew County Kilwinning No.370, and Paisley St.James No.1116, and it was from the membership roll of these Lodges, that most of our Founder members of Lodge Craigielea came. It is with a sense of gratitude we record that the success in the early years of Lodge Craigielea's history was due in no small measure to the help and guidance so freely given by the brethren of these three Lodges.

As the year 1919 progressed, an embarrassing situation developed in Paisley's three Masonic Lodges, by the numerous applications for membership from the returning servicemen who were anxious to make their contribution through Freemasonry in building a better world. Despite the fact that Lodges at that period had no limit on the number of initiates at their meetings, they found they were unable to cope with the applications for membership. These conditions led to the inevitable demand from the brethren of the Order that a new Lodge should be formed.