HISTORY

 

Consecration & Allegiance:

Lodge Tyrrell Leith No.43, (formerly No. 2162 E.C.) was founded on 22nd April, 1886 . The first warrant from the United Grand Lodge of England was dated 27th May, 1886 . According to the records of The District Grand Lodge of Bombay, the Lodge was consecrated by late R.W. Bro. Edward Tyrrell Leith, the then the District Grand Master for Bombay on 27th October, 1886 . It was in his honour that the Lodge was named "Tyrrell Leith " Lodge. It is one of the Founder Lodges of the Grand Lodge of India and thus from 24th November, 1961 , bears No.43 & works under its warrant.

Calamity of Floods:

In 1927-28 there were unprecedented floods in Baroda city due to heavy rains for several days. The city was as if were divided into 4 islands and communication from one part of the city to the other had become impossible and hazardous. It is believed that most of the Lodge records, particularly the Minute-books, were destroyed by the flood waters.No Lodge records, prior to 1929 are therefore available. Miraculously, the General Register of members has remained intact with only a slight damage. It is from this book that the history of the early years of the Lodge can in some measure, be reconstructed.

Founder-Members:

The number of founder-members of the Lodge was 14. The first principal officers of the Lodge were: W Bro Charles Tudball, the first W Master, Bro J J White, the first S Warden, and Bro G A Collins the first J Warden. Some of the other founders were:W Bro N N Chinoy, W Bro J Franklin, Bro B S Ginwala and Bro P R Heera. Of the 14 founders, 8 belonged to the English Constitution and 6 to the Scottish Constitution. 9 were Britisher's and 5 were Parsees, 6 were from Baroda , 1 from Bombay , 1 from Surat , 3 from Viramgam. Most of them were civil servants. 7 were serving in the then B B & C I Railway, 1 each in P W Department, and Telegraph Department, 1 each from the British Army and Gaekwar Army, 1 was retired officer and 1 was merchant.

Distinguished Members:

The names of some distinguished Brethren many of whom occupied high positions in the Lodge as well as in public life.

1. Bro Prince Fatesinh S Gaekwar, eldest son of late Maharaja Sir Sayajirao Gaekwar and Grandfather of the present Shri Ranjitsinh P Gaekwar.

2. W Bro Prince Dhairyashilarao S Gaekwar, youngest son of the late Maharaja Sir Sayajirao Gaekwar, he was W Master of the Lodge in 1924.

3. Bro Maharana Ramsingji of Rajpipla.

4. Bro Kazi Sahaboodin, Dewan of Baroda .

5. W Bro Sir Manubhai N Mehta, Dewan of Baroda., He was W Master in 1918.

6. W Bro Raojibhai B Patel, Director of Agricultural, Baroda . He was W Master in 1987.

7. Bro Abbas Samshooding Tyabji, Chief Justice, Baroda .

8. W Bro R H Gokhale, Chief Justice, Baroda . He was W Master in 1916.

9. W Bro VK Dhurandhar, Legal Remberancer, Baroda . He was W M in 1930.

10. W Bro B D Amin,Director, Alembic Chemical Works, Baroda . He was WM in 1938.

11. Bro Allaudin Maualabux Pathan, Director of Music, Baroda .

12. W Bro J M Patel, President of the Privy Council, Baroda . He was WM in 1930.

13. W Bro Sampatrao K Gaekwar, brother of late Maharaja Sir Sayajirao Gaekwar, He was W M in 1904. The Mark Lodge in Baroda is named after him.

14. W Bro S M Dighe was W M in 1913. He was a keen Freemason and worked as Secretary of the Lodge for a number of years.

15. W Bro S V Mukerjee was W M in 1921. He was an impressive ritualist and a great speaker.He was elected Honorary Member of the Lodge in 1946.

16. W Bro Dr Bhalchandra Lele was WM in 1935. He had a doctorate in Sanskrit, was an impressive ritualist, a good speaker and worked very efficiently as Secretary of the Lodge for a number of years. Lodge Conclave' in Baroda is named after him.

17. R W Bro M D Purohit was W M in 1945. He was a leading Pleader of Baroda. He rendered services to Lodge in many ways. He was a pillar of strength to the Masonic Fraternity of Baroda.

18. W Bro B D Shah, M B E joined our Lodge in December, 1965. He was W M of Lodge Guiding Star No. 5299 E C in 1947. He gave sterling services to our Lodge as secretary from 1968 to 1981.

19. W Bro A K Shah joined our Lodge in Feb 1963 and he was WM in 1975. He gave long service as Asst Sec of the Lodge and worked well upto last breath for up gradation of Masonic spirit.

20. W Bro P J Pandya joined our Lodge in January 1972 and He was WM in 1979. He gave long service of 15 years as Secretary of the Lodge, as well as all higher lodges. He was an Executive Director of GSFC.

All the above Brethren have been called to the Grand Lodge above.

Membershirp:

The total number of members of the Lodge from the beginning upto the date of this report i.e. 10th October 2005 is 1053. Leaving aside the founder and joining members, the Lodge has made about 9 to 10 new Freemasons per year. The years 1914, 1915 and 1916 were remarkable from the point of increase in membership. Thus in 1914 there were 19 initiation, 9 rejoinings and 14 joinings. The year 1915 shows 16 initiations, 2 re-joining and 9 joinings. In 1916, there is a record figure of 23 initiations, 6 re-joining and 3 joining. After that a steady rate of initiations of about 8 per year on an average was maintained. In 1935, the membership was 97. After 1949, the membership seems to have started to decline and it reached the comparatively low figure of 49 in the middle of 1954. After that there has been a steady increase and in 1960 it reached the figure of 100. At present, the total number of members on the Roll is 81.

Financial Position:

The land owned by the Lodge was purchased in 1916 and the amount required for the purchase seems to have been provided from the Lodge funds and contributions from members. The cost of the Lodge buildings, completed in 1922 seems also to have been met in the same way. Since then substantial amounts have been spent from time to time from the Lodge funds on additions, repairs and betterment of the buildings; renovation, electric installations, water, gas connections, etc. new regalia and other items of Lodge equipment have been purchased when necessary. The Lodge has at present a healthy investment in Fixed Deposits and comfortable working balance in Current and Savings Bank accounts.

Lodge Property:

For the first 35 years since the opening of the Lodge, its meetings used to be held at the residence of some members such as the late W Bro N N Chinoy, the late W Bro A A Kehimakar and the late W Bro Sampatrao K Gaekwar. The land at present owned by the Lodge was purchased in 1916. It has survey No.525.Foundation stone of the Old Masonic Hall was laid by R W Bro W A G Haig Brown J P; the then District G M of Bombay on 29.7.1916. On the same day Chapter Tyrell Leith No.2162 EC (Now No.28) was consecrated by him, while Mark Lodge Sampatrao No. 666EC (Now No.21) was consecrated by him on 10.9.1917. The opening ceremony of the building was also performed at the heads of R W Bro Haig Brown in 1922. The temple with a small ante-room and verandah is on the first floor. The ground floor consists of the dining hall, pantry and a small verandah with levatories.

In 1965, it was considered that in view of the prevailing prices of land in the adjoining areas, it was an opportune time to dispose of some portion of the Lodge land in order to provide for further needs and expansion of Lodge activities and to place the finances of the Lodge on a permanently sound footing. Members of the Lodge who desired to have a portion of the land for their individual requirement were to be given preference in the sale. Brethren interested in the purchase were advised to form an Association. The idea was generally approved by the Lodge. Accordingly, the Lodge sold between 1969 and 1973, land to Masons who needed same for their residential purposes.

Special Events:

The Lodge celebrated its Golden Jubilee on 8th January, 1938 . The late W Bro Khan Bahadur P N Davar, the then District Grand Secretary, represented R W the District Grand Master at the function.

A very large gathering was present and an oil painting of the late R W Bro Edward Tyrrell Leith was unveiled in the Lodge building at the hands of the Chief Guest.

On 19th May, 1970 , the then M W. The Grand Master, Late M W Bro Padma Bhushan, Prof. M S Thacker, OSM paid an official visit to the lodge. It was the first time in the history of the Lodge when it was visited by its Grand Master. Subsequently, M W Bro Hon Justice D P madon, OSM, Late M W Bro Sitaram Jaipuria, OSM, M W Bro Gautam R Divan, OSM, M W Bro Hariprasad Mathur, OSM and M W Bro Arun Chintopanth, OSM have also officially visited the Lodge as G.M.

R W The District Grand Master and the Regional Grand Master of W I and their officers have been paying official visits to the Lodge almost once every year.

New Temple Building :

Out of the proceeds of the excess land disposed off, it was decided by the Lodge to build a New Temple for the Lodge. A Building Committee consisting of eminent architect members of the Lodge prepared the plans for the new building and after the same were approved by R W the RGM of WI and M W. The Grand Master, Grand Lodge of India , the Bhoomi-Pujan was held on Friday, the 18th January 1974 . The Foundation stone Laying Ceremony was performed by the then M W The G M Late M W Bro Padma Bhushan Prof M S Thacker, OSM on Monday, the 16th December, 1974. The building was completed in February, 1976 and the New Temple was consecrated by the then R W The RGM of Western India, R W Bro Hon. Justice, D P Madon, OSM on Saturday, the 20th March, 1976 .

The 200th Anniversary of Freemasonry in India was celebrated on 13th April,1974 .

Amin D M Manasvi RAM Lodge was consecrated on 6th March, 1977 by the then RGM of Western India. R W Bro Noshir Mehta, OSM, Establishment of this Lodge made Baroda a complete Masonic Centre.

An especial convocation of Regional Grand Lodge of Western India were held under the auspices of the Lodge on Saturday, the 10th November 1979 and 25th September 1993 . Brethren in large numbers from Lodges all over the Western Region, attended this convocation.

The RGM of Western India , R W Bro Noshir Mehta, OSM consecrated Lodge Baroda No.239 on Sunday, the 11th November, 1979 .

Joint meeting of all the Lodges in Gujarat was held under the banner of the lodge on Sunday, the 22nd April, 1984 . This meeting was graced by the then M W the G M Late M W Bro Sitaram M Jaipuria, OSM and the then R W The RGM of W I R W Bro Dadi Engineer, OSM, Brethren from Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Surat and Baroda attended this meeting in large numbers.

The Lodge celebrates each year functions such as the anniversary of the inauguration of the Grand Lodge anniversary of its foundation day, ladies' night.The Lodge started get to-gether like Delhi Chat Ujani, Makai Ujani, New Year get to-gather, 31st Dec eve. The Lodge also started sports complex having facilities of TT, Carrom, chess, cards etc.

Charity:

On occasion such as installation etc., the Lodge has been making special contribution from the Lodge funds to the Regional Fund of Benevolence. Natural calamities earthquakes, floods, etc. have evoked prompt response from the Lodge. When requests or appeals for donations for special purposes as war-relief, flood relief etc. are received from the Regional Grand Lodge, brethren have very generously responded and this Lodge also has contributed. The Lodge has sponsored heart-valve operations, skin diseases camps eye camps, orthopedic surgery camp, etc. Donations have also been made to Orphanage, Distribution of food grains, Woolen Blankets, Refrigerator have been donated to Boys' & Girls' Remand Homes. Scholarships are being given to deserving students. The Lodge has donated generous funds to M S University and Chief Minister's Fund for natural calamity.

Noteworthy Incident:

In 1939 a Lodge of Instruction was opened with the sanction of the Dist. Grand Lodge, Bombay and its first meeting was held on 3rd March, 1939 . As a result of the increasing difficult situation created by the second world war, the attendance began to decline in 1942 as members had little time to spare from their routine and extra war-time work. The Lodge continued to pull on till 1944. The last meeting was held on 5th August, 1944 , after which the Lodge of Instruction was closed.

Completion of 100 Years:

By the continued grace of Great Architect of the Uinverse, good will and cooperation of Fraternity, the Lodge completed its 100 years of progressive functioning and the Centenary Celebrations were held on 14th December, 1986 . R.W. Bro. Noshir N. Mehta, O.S.M. the then Dy. G.M. represented M.W. the G.M. A very large gathering was present and it was a memorable function.

The 110th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Lodge was held on 22nd April 1996 . R W the RGM RGL of WI, RW Bro P K Maheshwari precided the meeting.

The Special Meeting of RGL of WI held in 1998 was graced by M W the G M M W Bro Hariprasad Mathur and RGL of W I – N I – E I – S I all together.

The Area Meeting held on 7th December 2003, was precided by R W the R G M of WI R W Bro G L Shahu with august presence of M W the G.M. M W Bro Arun Chintopanth O.S.M.