The idea of forming a Lodge working Emulation ritual was first mooted among the PM's of Lodge St. George 3072, the principal proponents being Wor. Bros. E De Vere Archer, George Otway and Basil Bayer.

The Brethren initiated the concept and their influence prevailed upon the other PMs and the brethren of Lodge St. George generally.

There may have been other considerations but more importantly their efforts culminated with the consecration of Conception Lodge No. 8346 on February 18, 1971

The consecration ceremony was conducted by Rt. Wor. Bro. L.E.R Gill and attended by brethren from the District of Barba­ dos, Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana.

The founding members were Wor. Bros. D.G Otway, G.B.W. Otway, B.W. Byer, A.L. Dopwell, M.D Bain, G.L. Brathwaite, and Bros. R.C Blamphin, R.E ]apal, M.A Bullen, H.A Robertson, E.S. Woodroff, G.A. Bain,].F Gaylord, H.E.L Hosten. The after proceedings was held at the Lion's Den at Richmond Hill.

The name "Conception" apparently was chosen to honour the original name of Grenada conferred by Christopher Columbus on sighting the island in 1492.

Significantly, the first WM was Wor. Bro. David George Otway, whose Masonic career has steadily been distinguished by his appointment first as ADGM for Barbados in 1989 and subsequently DDGM for Barbados & The Eastern Caribbean in 1996, an office he currently retains.

Interestingly, there were two (2) peculiarities of Conception Lodge in its formative years;

(1) The working of the Lodge being conducted at floor level i.e the dais was not then used as it is today.

(2) The dress attire tended to be "tropicalised", the brethren were permitted to clothe themselves in a formal shirt jac sillt or shUt.

While innovative, (render your heart not your garments) the lack of uniformity somehow mstracted from the solemruty of degree work in particular and with the passage of time, the code was discontinued. As to why the lodge initially "worked" at floor level and reverted to the dais in unclear.

The early years of Conception 8346 were beset \vid1 a illgh membersillp attrition rate despite new members. A stage was reached when the Lodge resorted to re-cycling of PMs into the chair.

This chronicity reached a frustrating level in the early 80's to the extent that the lodge was "labeled" a PMs lodge and concern was expressed as to it's future.

But dogged perseverance was rewarded in the post 1984 era and there has been a steady influx of young, dynamic and committed brethren, who have not only energised the fraternity, but hopefully, by extension, transformed an od1erwise turbulent soci­ ety whose manhood seems to be in eclipse.

Tills augurs well for the future and may this encouraging trend continue for the welfare of Conception Lodge 8346 in particular and the craft in Grenada as a whole.