The Quaker Meeting House

457 Kingston Road West (at Mill Street)

Ajax, ON L1S 6M1

Hall Rental: Town of Ajax (905) 619-2529 ext.7200

 

The Meeting House  

The Meeting House in Pickering Village was purchased from the Society of Friends (Quaker) congregation in 1943 by Doric Lodge No. 424 G.R.C.and named Doric Pickering Masonic Hall

The building was erected in 1867 by the Society of Friends Congregation at a cost of $6000. A fire caused by lightening on June 24th, 1908 destroyed all but the outer walls which are 20 inches thick. The building was rebuilt within these walls the same year for the Quakers by an Oshawa contractor.

By the 1920’s services at the Meeting House had been discontinued. The building was used by several groups before falling into disuse in the 1930s. Negotiations for purchase by Doric Lodge were begun in late 1942. The purchase was completed in May 1943 and the work of renovating in order to make it suitable for Masonry was carried out. Much of this work was contributed by the members. The chestnut benches contributed to the original Society of Friends building by the Quakers of Philadelphia were retained and are still in use.

The Lodge Room was dedicated May 18th 1944 by M.W. Bro. T.C. Wardley and his accompanying Officers.

Over the years the members of Doric Lodge made many changes to improve the amenities within the building while maintaining the integrity of the structure. In 1991 “The Doric Pickering Masonic Hall Corporation” was formed as the legal entity to maintain and manage the property for the members. The Board of Directors elected by the Brethren of Doric Lodge continued with this philosophy in preserving and upgrading their beloved building until 2016.

In July 2016 the Doric Pickering Masonic Hall Corporation was absorbed into Doric 424 Inc.  The building was sold to the Town of Ajax with continued exclusive use of the lodge room given to Doric Lodge 424 Inc.  The town re-named the building “The Meeting House”

The building is currently being renovated to add a basement, accessible washrooms, a kitchen and lodge room upgrades.  Meetings are temporarily being held at the Mill Street Community Centre, 25 Mill Street, Ajax.

...based on excerpts from The Story of Doric Pickering 1890-2001 by David V. Radley

There is an Ontario Historical Plaque on the property near the Mill Street entrance and another across the street noting the Society of Friends Graveyard located there.

Contact:
John T. Houghton, Secretary, Doric Lodge 424, houghton1@sympatico.ca   905-668-1116

 

For Banquet Hall rentals:  Town of Ajax