CASTLEGAR MASONIC HALL

Sentinel Lodge No.146 was Instituted by the Senior Grand Warden, Right Worshipful Brother  W. A. Curran on February 16, 1952.

Warrant or Charter granted by the Grand Lodge on June 19, 1953. Consecrated and Constituted by the Deputy Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother Karl P. Warwick on September 19,1953.

On August 20, 1947, a meeting of some 19 Master Masons had been held at the Parish Hall in Castlegar, with Right Worshipful Brother Copeland presided and Brother S. H. Humphries served as Secretary.

Many distinguished Masons were present, including the District Deputy Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother G. W. Webster; Right Worshipful Brother Jamieson; Right Worshipful Brother Frank Moran and Brother Tom Bloomer.

Little progress was made until October 16, 1950 when a group of twelve Master Masons convened by Brother J. C. Waldie met in the office of “Wm. Waldie and Sons” in Castlegar.

At this meeting Worshipful Brother W. L. Wright presided. Brother W. H. Houston acted as Secretary.

An organization committee consisting of Brother Wright, Brother Waldie and Brother Houston was appointed. The new Twin Rivers Hall was considered a suitable (Lodge Hall) meeting place and it was decided to use Canadian ritual.

On October 26, 1950, a meeting was held at the Legion Hall which was attended by many representative Freemasons from Nelson, Trail and Rossland. The Junior Grand Warden Right Worshipful Brother Curran was present and advised the Brethren to form a Lodge of Instruction.

On December 7, 1950, the first meeting took place in the Twin Rivers Hall. A Lodge of Instruction was formed to be sponsored by Emulation Lodge No. 125 of Trail.

The name Sentinel was suggested for the Lodge by Brother J. C. Waldie, and after much discussion was adopted.

A petition with 29 signatures was finally forwarded to Grand Lodge by District Deputy Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother C. E. Fenton.

The Letters of Dispensation were issued by the Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother J. Murray Mitchell, and were presented on February 18, 1952, by Right Worshipful Brother W. A. Curran, Senior Grand Warden, at the Ceremony of Institution with Most Worshipful Brother J. H. N. Morgan, Grand Secretary with Right Worshipful Brother Warwick, Jr., Grand Warden, and Right Worshipful Brother C. E. Fenton, District Deputy Grand Master assisting.

Many Lodges and individuals were most generous with their gifts of Lodge furniture and regalia.

During the period under dispensation five Brethren received the Master Mason degree and two others were received by Initiation. Favourable report of the work were given by the District Deputy Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother C. H. Carr.

Request for a Charter was granted at the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge in June 1953 and Sentinel Lodge No. 146 was constituted.

On September 19, 1953, at 3:00 pm, Consecration took place in the Masonic Temple. Deputy Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother Karl P. Warwick, assisted by Grand Lodge officers; Right Worshipful Brother G. A. V. Sandercomb District Deputy Grand Master; Most Worshipful Brother J. H. N. Morgan, Grand Secretary; Right Worshipful Brother O. H. Nelson, Grand Director of Ceremonies; and, Brother Retired Reverend F. P. Clarke, Grand Chaplin. (The Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother W. A. Curran, was unable to attend due to illness.)

Sentinel Lodge No. 146 provides annual bursaries to Stanley Humphries Secondary School Graduates, donations to the Jim Lamont Legacy Bursary Program for Selkirk College and makes regular annual donations to the Castlegar Food Bank and Royal Canadian Legion Branch No.170.