Wingham Loyal Orange Lodge No. 794
Wingham, Ontario, Canada
Wingham Loyal Orange Lodge No. 794 received its warrant on December 4th, 1856.
In 1869-1870, the lodge met on the first Friday of each month. The Worshipful Master of the lodge was James Groves and the Recording Secretary, Robert Cornyn.
In 1873, a hall was erected on Edward Street on land donated by the widowed Mrs. John Cornyn, on the understanding that it would always be used as an Orange Hall. The Hall was dedicated on November 5th by some of Wingham's most distinguished citizens including Dr. J.E. Tamblyn, Justice of the Peace and Thomas Holmes, a member of the clergy.
One of Wingham's earliest Orange Parades in 1886 attracted what local historian John Pattison called "the biggest and hungriest crowds ever to gather" in town. In a town of under 2,000 residents, the town’s resources were taxed to the limit as the Queen’s Hotel fed 1,300 people, the Central Hotel, 1,100, the Brunswick, 800 and the Exchange and Dinsley House catered to 700 diners each. Other eating houses catered 50 to 200 each.
In 1889, the Wingham Times reported that the lodge "had prospered wonderfully" as during the past year, Wingham lodge's membership had "nearly doubled" with new members joining every meeting.
With one of the best fife and drum bands in Western Ontario, the Wingham lodge counted well over 100 members on parade in the quarter century before the Great War. More than just the twice monthly meetings, lodge members formed their own society. In addition to Orange Parades the lodge held dances, picnics, benefit concerts and fielded their own sports teams.
Beginning in 1895, the Wingham lodge families went on an annual holiday three-day excursion, usually in August to places like Sarnia, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan with special railroad rates for members.
In July 1899, the railways put on special cars to bring thousands of people to Wingham's Orange demonstration. The banners of upwards of 50 lodges paraded behind the fifes and drums of several bands around Wingham's streets. Heading the parade was the local lodge master who carried a sword and rode a white horse representing "King Billy" on the Boyne. The local papers complimented the Wingham lodge on their silk hats and tailed jackets in the parade.
Five cedar arches spanned Josephine Street bedecked in flags and slogans. Local shops and businesses decorated their storefronts with flags and bunting for the occasion. A merry-go-round at the rink entertained the hordes of children who attended.
Over 9,000 people assembled at Victoria Park to hear speeches, band competitions and sporting events. The Wingham Times said the town had "right royally celebrated" the Boyne that day.
Wingham's devotion to the Orange cause was rewarded with hosting the 44th annual meeting of the Grand Orange Lodge of Canada West in March 1903. Businesses did a brisk business and the hotels were filled for the three day event which brought together hundreds of delegates representing hundreds of lodges in Canada West.
The Wingham Orange Lodge grew in strength in the years before the Great War. In March 1908, the lodge initiated a record 21 members. In 1905, an Orange Young Britons chapter was established.
In July 1915, Wingham held the first war-time Orange Parade. An "orderly crowd" of 34 lodges and five bands paraded before 10,000 spectators, according to the Wingham Advance.
The Orders' orators called the war a struggle for British liberties and civilization. Lodge members who served overseas were forgiven their dues for the war's duration. The North Huron Lodge purchased a Lewis machine gun for the 33rd Huron Regiment in 1915. The Ladies lodge raised money for the Red Cross.
In the Interwar years, the Orange Lodge continued to be a powerful force in rural Ontario. The Wingham lodge continued to initiate new members. The annual Orange Decoration Day attracted hundreds for the service at the Wingham Cemetery's Orange mound to lay flowers for deceased members and their families.
During the Second World War, 15,000 people and 70 lodges attended Wingham's Orange Parade in July 1943. One speaker raised the Orange Order's ancient cry of "No Surrender" and beckoned the crowd to continue to fight against fascist tyranny.
When Wingham hosted it first post-war parade in July 1952, an impressive 29 lodges and 600 marches paraded before thousands of spectators.
In 1869-1870, the lodge met on the first Friday of each month. The Worshipful Master of the lodge was James Groves and the Recording Secretary, Robert Cornyn.
In 1873, a hall was erected on Edward Street on land donated by the widowed Mrs. John Cornyn, on the understanding that it would always be used as an Orange Hall. The Hall was dedicated on November 5th by some of Wingham's most distinguished citizens including Dr. J.E. Tamblyn, Justice of the Peace and Thomas Holmes, a member of the clergy.
One of Wingham's earliest Orange Parades in 1886 attracted what local historian John Pattison called "the biggest and hungriest crowds ever to gather" in town. In a town of under 2,000 residents, the town’s resources were taxed to the limit as the Queen’s Hotel fed 1,300 people, the Central Hotel, 1,100, the Brunswick, 800 and the Exchange and Dinsley House catered to 700 diners each. Other eating houses catered 50 to 200 each.
In 1889, the Wingham Times reported that the lodge "had prospered wonderfully" as during the past year, Wingham lodge's membership had "nearly doubled" with new members joining every meeting.
With one of the best fife and drum bands in Western Ontario, the Wingham lodge counted well over 100 members on parade in the quarter century before the Great War. More than just the twice monthly meetings, lodge members formed their own society. In addition to Orange Parades the lodge held dances, picnics, benefit concerts and fielded their own sports teams.
Beginning in 1895, the Wingham lodge families went on an annual holiday three-day excursion, usually in August to places like Sarnia, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan with special railroad rates for members.
In July 1899, the railways put on special cars to bring thousands of people to Wingham's Orange demonstration. The banners of upwards of 50 lodges paraded behind the fifes and drums of several bands around Wingham's streets. Heading the parade was the local lodge master who carried a sword and rode a white horse representing "King Billy" on the Boyne. The local papers complimented the Wingham lodge on their silk hats and tailed jackets in the parade.
Five cedar arches spanned Josephine Street bedecked in flags and slogans. Local shops and businesses decorated their storefronts with flags and bunting for the occasion. A merry-go-round at the rink entertained the hordes of children who attended.
Over 9,000 people assembled at Victoria Park to hear speeches, band competitions and sporting events. The Wingham Times said the town had "right royally celebrated" the Boyne that day.
Wingham's devotion to the Orange cause was rewarded with hosting the 44th annual meeting of the Grand Orange Lodge of Canada West in March 1903. Businesses did a brisk business and the hotels were filled for the three day event which brought together hundreds of delegates representing hundreds of lodges in Canada West.
The Wingham Orange Lodge grew in strength in the years before the Great War. In March 1908, the lodge initiated a record 21 members. In 1905, an Orange Young Britons chapter was established.
In July 1915, Wingham held the first war-time Orange Parade. An "orderly crowd" of 34 lodges and five bands paraded before 10,000 spectators, according to the Wingham Advance.
The Orders' orators called the war a struggle for British liberties and civilization. Lodge members who served overseas were forgiven their dues for the war's duration. The North Huron Lodge purchased a Lewis machine gun for the 33rd Huron Regiment in 1915. The Ladies lodge raised money for the Red Cross.
In the Interwar years, the Orange Lodge continued to be a powerful force in rural Ontario. The Wingham lodge continued to initiate new members. The annual Orange Decoration Day attracted hundreds for the service at the Wingham Cemetery's Orange mound to lay flowers for deceased members and their families.
During the Second World War, 15,000 people and 70 lodges attended Wingham's Orange Parade in July 1943. One speaker raised the Orange Order's ancient cry of "No Surrender" and beckoned the crowd to continue to fight against fascist tyranny.
When Wingham hosted it first post-war parade in July 1952, an impressive 29 lodges and 600 marches paraded before thousands of spectators.
The Wingham Advance-Times, May 27th, 1965
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