Great Scot! Center moves forward
History abounded on all sides as the change-over took place, first and foremost in a most impressive ceremony at Lodge St. George No. 200, situated as it is in the Old State House of Bermuda’s original capital and, of course, in the oldest stone building in the country.
But what was most significant was the fact that for the first time in living memory the Superintendence had been passed from an incumbent to his successor.
Scottish Freemasonry in Bermuda goes back to the 1700s. Previous Superintendents had literally died with their boots on. Such was the case with Rt. Wor. Bro. Bernard C.C. Manders. Upon his passing in 2001, Bro. Davis received that five-year Commission, which traditionally would have been extended.
Big and burly as Wor. Bro. Larry is, he took in good stead the butts of wit and humour at the festive board at the St. George’s Club that followed the lodge ceremonies.
His brethren were curious about whether or not there was something wrong with the Brother’s boots, and about why he did not go for the long haul like his predecessors in office.
In his own way, with his easy broad smile, he assured them he had no premonitions about going to what freemasons call “the grand lodge above”. He just felt that Bro. Center is the right man for the job in the changing times.
[obox] Leslie Taylor Center was initiated in 1977. He became Master of Lodge St. George in 1982 and served twice more in that capacity, in 1991 and again in 1996. He served as Director of Ceremonies for seven years. He received Honorary Grand Rank in 1996. In addition to serving his Mother Lodge Bro. Center is also a member of a number of higher Orders such as The Royal Arch, The Cryptic Council, The Royal Order of Scotland and The Knights Templar. He has served in Chair of The Royal Arch and The Cryptic Council.
[obox] Lawrence Meredith Davis, Past Grand Superintendent was initiated in 1971. He became Master of Lodge Civil & Military in 1980. He received Honorary Grand Rank in 1986. In addition to serving his Mother Lodge Bro. Davis is also a member of a number of higher Orders such as The Royal Arch, The Cryptic Council, Royal Ark Mariner, Rose Croix, Knights Templar and The Royal Order of Scotland. He has served in the Chair as well as Secretary of many of those bodies. He has twice been President of the Freemasons Fund for Bermuda. Currently Bro. Davis is Provincial Deputy Grand Master of The Royal Order of Scotland.
Freemasonry has existed in Bermuda since the beginning of the 18th century. Lodge St. George No. 200 received its charter from The Grand Lodge of Scotland dated August 7, 1797. Scottish Freemasonry has had a continual presence since that time.
Bermuda became the 34th Province under the Grand Lodge of Scotland in 1803, which was perhaps a little premature as there was only one Scottish Lodge at the time.
The other two Scottish charters were issued in 1885 (Civil & Military No. 726) and in 1955 (Somers Isles No. 1503). The Most Worshipful Grand Master accompanied by the Grand Secretary first visited Bermuda in June 1933.
Our pictures show Rt. Wor. Bro. Larry Davis cheerfully handing over his Superintendence of Scottish Lodges in Bermuda to Bro. Les Center (right) Grand Lodge Officers who took attended the change-over are seen below left.
Among them are Rt. Wor. Bro. St. Clair (Brinky) Tucker, the Provincial Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ireland in Bermuda; and Very Wor. Bro. John Hill. He was deputising for VW Bro. Robert W. Rego, JP, the Grand Inspector of the Bermuda Group of Lodges under the United Grand Lodge of England. Others are all VW Brethren, Travis Gilbert, Ernest Minors, Edward Robinson, Peter Haynes Calvin Smith, Timothy Taylor, Ernest North-Bourne, Vernon Clarke, Raymond O’Leary, Oliver Dickenson, Raynold Boorman, Cedric Smith, VWB L. St. George Moulder, Hon. Grand Treasurer; VWB David Mello, Hon. Grand Almoner.
