1864
Institution by dispensation (A.L. 5864).
Heritage
History of Merritt Lodge No. 168
Merritt Lodge has deep roots in Niagara Masonic history, with records tracing back to the mid-19th century.
Lodge Timeline
Merritt Lodge Through Time
According to the historical by-laws record for Merritt Lodge No. 168, the lodge was instituted by dispensation on November 14, 1864 (A.L. 5864) and constituted by warrant of the Grand Lodge of Canada on July 13, 1865 (A.L. 5865). A published by-laws edition from 1876 preserves those early governance details and officer/member records from 1865-66.
1865
Constituted by warrant of the Grand Lodge of Canada.
1876
By-laws publication documents early lodge structure and membership.
Today
Merritt Lodge No. 168 remains active in Port Colborne and Niagara.
Regional Legacy
William Hamilton Merritt
William Hamilton Merritt (1793-1862) was a soldier, merchant, and political leader in Upper Canada who became the principal promoter of the first Welland Canal. Historical biographies describe his early surveys and organizing efforts that led to the chartering of the Welland Canal Company in 1824 and the opening of the first canal route in 1829.
His transportation vision helped shape communities across the Niagara Peninsula, including Port Colborne. While lodge records cited on this page confirm Merritt Lodge No. 168's founding dates, they do not explicitly state naming intent. Locally, however, the Merritt name is strongly associated with William Hamilton Merritt's regional legacy.
Why this matters to local history
- Links the lodge story to Niagara's 19th-century development
- Connects Port Colborne to the broader Welland Canal narrative
- Highlights enduring civic and fraternal heritage in the region
- Preserves context for future lodge education and outreach
Sources: Canadiana (Merritt Lodge No. 168 by-laws record), Dictionary of Canadian Biography (William Hamilton Merritt), The Canadian Encyclopedia (Welland Canal), and Niagara B District Lodges.