- Share
- Get directions
- prev
- next
About the Lodge
Fort St. John Lodge No. 131 was Constituted on November 5, 1948. From 1948 until 1950, the Brethren of the Lodge rented a room above the Northern Motors building, for which they paid $30.00 per month. During this time the desire for a permanent building to meet in came into fruition.
In 1951, the Fort St. John Temple Society was formed, and sufficient monies were pledged and collected that allowed the brethren to purchase a building out at the airport and move it into town onto one of two lots donated by a brother of the Lodge.
The building was very cold and was without plumbing. The Brethren had to bring their own water to make coffee and ensure that they left nothing to freeze when they left.
In 1965, fundraising began again towards the construction of a new Lodge building on the lot adjacent to the existing one. The new Lodge was purpose build by Freemasons over the next four years and in January of 1969, Fort St. John Lodge No. 131 moved into its present location. The old building was demolished, and the lot is now used for parking.
In later years the building was expanded to the rear to allow for additional storage below and to provide an office space for the Secretary above. The Secretary’s office was never used so the Job’s Daughters took it over as a preparation room and to store their regalia. Following the closing of Job’s Daughters in 1990, the North Peace Shrine Club No. 25 Clown unit used the room to prepare for their circus and other community appearances.
The Brethren of Fort St. John Lodge are pleased to have the Child Care Resource and Referral (C.C.R.R.) as a long-time tenant in the building, as this organization has been an exemparly addition to the building and offers numerous valuable resources to the Fort St. John community. The CCRR currently occupies the office space at the rear of the building and bottom floor for various activities and programs.
Our building is also home to the North Peace Shrine Club No. 25, and Alcan Chapter No. 91 of the Order of the Eastern Star. The Brethren of Fort St. John Lodge have hosted an annual Masonfest (Oktoberfest) in this building since the early 2000’s.
Location
10441 100 Avenue, Fort St. John, British Columbia V1J 1Z1, Canada
Province
Lodges that meet here
Fort St. John Lodge No. 131
In 1805, the village of Fort St. John was a North-West Company trading post established by Simon Fraser, located on the Alaska Highway, north of Dawson Creek, and at the beginning of the Sikanni Trail.
Fort St. John Lodge N0. 131 has been an integral part of the Fort St. John community since its inception in 1945. It all began when a group of local Masons shared a vision of establishing their own lodge in the area.
Early in August 1946, the Grand Master had received a request from a number of Brethren in Fort St. John for a dispensation to form a Lodge. Believing the time not opportune for the granting of a dispensation, the Grand Master chose, on September 17, 1946, to issue a license to hold a Lodge of Instruction under the auspices of Peace Lodge No. 126 at Dawson Creek. This terminated on May 2, 1947, when a dispensation was issued and the Lodge instituted by the Grand Master, in person.
On June 19, 1947, the dispensation was continued until the next regular Communication. The District Deputy Grand Master for District 19, Peace River, reported several visits to the Lodge while it was under dispensation, when he found that the affairs and accounts of the Lodge were in a most satisfactory condition. On June 17, 1948, Grand Lodge ordered the Charter to Fort St. John Lodge No. 131. The Lodge was constituted by the Grand Master in the Masonic Hall at Fort St. John on November 5, 1948. The Lodge adopted the Canadian ritual for its work and took its name from the town.
The first meeting was held in November on a bitterly cold day, when the temperature inside the Lodge Hall was not much higher than it was outside. Initially meeting in rented spaces, our dedication to having a permanent home led to the formation of the Temple Society in 1951. Through their efforts, a building was purchased and relocated to a lot generously donated by Brother Moore, where our lodge resided until 1969 when we moved to our current premises.
In addition to our regular meetings, we are deeply committed to charitable endeavours. Every member contributes to the Community Charities Fund, which supports charitable initiatives. Locally, we also support the Christmas Hamper fund, the Women’s Resource Centre, and volunteer with the Shriners in their fundraising activities.
Our involvement extends beyond charity work as well. We have hosted the Robbie Burns Night for 57 years and participate in events like the "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" night hosted by the Order of the Eastern Star.
Through our history and ongoing community engagement, Fort St. John Lodge No. 131 remains dedicated to serving both its members and the broader community.
