Lodge "Progress" Dundee. No.967. originates in a meeting held in Camperdown Masonic Hall, Barrack Street, on 19th, November, 1903.

Opinion favourable to the formation of a Lodge on temperance lines was expressed, and steps were thereafter taken to present a petition to Grand Lodge craving a Charter.

The Lodge proper came into being on 4th February, 1904 the date on which the Charter was issued.

From the Treasurer's books, we learn that the following Brethren were at the founding of the Lodge:‑

Bros. J.D. Swan and Hugh Ruxton of Lodge 47; Bros. John G. McKelvie, John Lumgair, William Watson and James Simpson of Lodge 49; Bros. William Harvey of Lodge 76; Bros. R.G. Forbes, F. N. Gillies and George Wood of Lodge 78; Bros. W. R. Salmond (in Charter was Wm. Crammond), R. Gray, Sam McDowall and Alex F. Salmond of Lodge 158; Bros. T.M. Chalmers of Lodge 166; Bros. Alex Allan of Lodge 225; Bros. David Whyte of Lodge 254; Bros. Walter H. Currie of Lodge 262; Bros. James Thomson and William T. Brown of Lodge 309; Bros. William Smith, Robert Liddell, Arthur H. McKinnes, George I. McKinnes, Sydney Boyd, John W. Waterson, F. C.  Bissell, James Lawrie, David Millar, William R. Jackson and David Richardson of Lodge 317; Bros. Andrew Easson of Lodge 320; Bros. Alexander McLeod of Lodge 486; and Bros. Henry S. Hird of Lodge 684.

The first Office-bearers of the Lodge as set out in the Charter were as follows:- 

After the Lodge had been erected, the following further Office-Bearers were appointed: - Chaplain, J.S. Waterson; Bible Bearer, J.D. Swan; Bard, William Harvey; Bro. Henry S. Hird was adopted as first I.P.M.

At the beginning of its career, Lodge Progress, Dundee met in Camperdown Hall, Barrack Street. From there it moved to premises situated at No.8 Crichton Street. Having leased a dwelling house there, the Lodge transformed it into a hall of modest dimensions, which was dedicated to Masonic purposes on 23rd November1906.

Four years later, the Lodge was forced to find greater accommodation. This it eventually got at 73 Murraygate. A disused printing office was rented, the whole interior of which had to be reconstructed to form a suite of halls that would be suitable for Craft meetings, but this was successfully done and the premises were duly dedicated on 23rd September 1910. The Lodge entered upon a ten years lease, at the end of which notice was given that the building had been let for industrial purposes and that the lease could not be renewed. This time the Lodge resolved to acquire a building of its own, if possible, so that greater security of tenure could be enjoyed.

Such a building they found in extensive premises in Hilltown that had long been used as a Mission station by the Panmure Street Congregational Church and they entered into possession at Whitsunday 1920. But once again these buildings required extensive alterations to suit them for the business of Freemasonry. A scheme of entire reconstruction was entered upon and during the months in which this was in process, the Lodge met in the Masonic Temple, Shore Terrace. So much progress had been made with the work by November as to permit meetings being held within the new premises, and the Lodge, having received the necessary sanction from the Provincial Grand Master, made what may be regarded as formal entry into its new home on 2nd December 1920, when the Office Bearers for the ensuing year were installed. The actual consecration of the Temple was carried out with full ceremonial on 29th March 1921.

WILLIAM HARVEY PM

The Lodge prospered greatly from 1921, and in 1935 Bros. William Harvey, P.M. was appointed Provincial Grand Master of Forfarshire. From then until the outbreak of hostilities in 1939 Progress Hall was the scene of many well attended Masonic gatherings. In 1954, Lodge Progress celebrated its 50th Anniversary by purchasing a full set of new Regalia and by holding a social function attended by Lord Bruce and other members of Grand Lodge. However, after 35 years as a Masonic Temple, the property at 11 Hill Street was compulsorily purchased and demolished by Dundee Town Council to permit housing redevelopment in the area. Thereafter the members of Lodge Progress met in Caledonian Halls, 179 Hawkhill, until May 1962, when they moved to Central Halls, 97 Seagate.

JAMES C. SMITH P.M.

From Central Halls, Lodge Progress moved to 161 Princes Street on the 18th November 1964, renting premises from Lodge Operative 47. A further move to St David's Rooms, 86 Nethergate was made on the 1st September 1971.Premises were acquired at 8 Park Street, Dundee, a one-time industrial canteen, and on the 15th September 1976, the provincial Grand Master of Forfarshire, Bro. Stephen Gavin Fisher (P.M. of Lodge Progress No 967) assisted by officers of P.G. Lodge, carried out the Ceremony of Consecration. Alterations to Lodge Special Bye-Laws was approved by Grand Committee on 13th May 1976, when Lodge Progress deleted Bye-Law No.3, which did not permit liquor at Lodge Meetings or Functions, and made application for a Certificate of registration as a Club under the Licensing (Scotland) Acts as a Lodge of Free Masons.

Thomas Cathro (Secretary)

After five years at Park Street, on 7th October 1981, the Lodge was informed that a Street Widening Development would be taking place and unfortunately it would involve our premises. On 11th August 1982, we moved to St Salvador's Halls in Church Street. The Hall was consecrated on 29th September 1982. On 15th February 1984, the Lodge was successful in acquiring rented premises at 34 Commercial Street. There it was decided that we would apply for a Social Club Licence. The new halls were consecrated on 2nd May 1984, by the Provincial Grand Master of Forfarshire, Brother the Rev. William G. Burns and his Office-bearers. John T Henderson PM.

The Social Club, after an ambitious start, soon ran into severe financial difficulties. The Club was wound up and the Lodge, finding itself in premises too large for Masonic Purposes, decided to move to other premises. The let of the hall owned by Lodge Roineach Mhor, No.1308 in Downfield was negotiated and the Lodge moved there in September 1988. To be nearer the centre of town the Lodge moved in September 1994, to the new premises of Lodge Camperdown, no 317, in 1a Wellington Street. However, the Lodge found the room hired was too small for them, so they obtained the let of premises of Lodge Ubique, No.1192 at 2 Kinghorn Road. The Lodge had now returned to the Hilltown area of town.

100 years of Lodge Progress

Roll of Masters