A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SAINT JOHN MASONIC TEMPLE
From the time that the Grand Lodge of New Brunswick was formed in 1867 the objective of erecting a Masonic edifice in the City of Saint John remained in the forefront. In 1869 a committee consisting of Robert Marshall and James McNichol Jr. were appointed to identify a suitable location to erect the new building.
The first location identified was the property belonging to the grammar school located at the corner of Horsfield and Germain Streets. Unable to reach a suitable agreement, negotiations were commenced with Mr. James Thomas to purchase property on Germain Street belonging to Mr. E. A. Wiggins at a cost of $8,000.00. As negotiations progressed it was discovered that the dimensions of the property that had been represented were incorrect and negotiations ceased. Finally in January of 1872 successful negotiatio