Society of United Fishermen Lodge SUF #1

The SUF Lodge #1 was designated a registered heritage structure because it has aesthetic, social and historic values.

The SUF Lodge #1 has aesthetic value because it is a good example of an early lodge building in outport Newfoundland. Founded in 1873 this mutual benefit society and fraternal order building was constructed as a meeting hall for members. The one storey structure has a mansard roof and an unadorned appearance. The simplicity of the building is broken by arched gothic windows and a triangular gable end window high above the wood plank main door. Directly above the main door is an arched sign with the organization’s triangular shaped logo and motto. The triangular shape was chosen to represent Newfoundland’s approximate shape. Within the triangle appears the Maltese Cross, symbolically representing the eight Beatitudes, which members are taught to learn and observe. The motto adopted for the society was Love, Purity and Fidelity represented by the colors red, white and blue, respectively. These colors are reflected on the exterior trim with white being the predominant color.

The SUF #1 is socially valuable because it provided fellowship and established a mutual support system for its members at a time when there were few services available to fishermen and their families. The building was designed by the SUF founder, Rev. George Gardner, and was constructed by members offering free labour and materials. The duties of the officers involved providing community aid in the forms of attending to the sick and bringing water and wood to those who needed it. They provided money and support for funerals to deceased members and their families which were made available through the collection of annual fees. The SUF also involved itself in projects to benefit individual communities through fundraising and charity work.

The SUF Lodge #1 has historic value because it is the founding lodge for the society that, at its peak, included 79 chapters in Newfoundland and 3 in Nova Scotia. The SUF is the only fraternal organization of its kind to have its roots in Newfoundland.