CHETWYND MASONIC HALL

Once known as Little Prairie, this community adopted its name just prior to incorporation in 1962, in honour of Ralph T. Chetwynd, (MC), the former M.L.A. and Minister at various times of government operations, including Railways, Fisheries, Agriculture, and Trade and Industry. 

This building was originally constructed in 1961 as an Anglican “Church of Transfiguration”, which ceased operations in 1982.  In 1984, the Masonic brethren in the Chetwynd area began a Lodge of Instruction under the authority of Peace Lodge No.126 in Dawson Creek. The vacant church proved appropriate to hold these instructional “Masonic” meetings, and, in 1986/87, the brethren arranged to purchase the building for the soul use of the area Freemasons.  

One of the younger Lodges in the province, Chetwynd Lodge No. 187, received its Charter April 24, 1987, taking its name from the town and its well-known namesake.  The Lodge was Instituted on March 1, 1986, and Constituted on August 12, 1987 at a ceremony in the local Elks’ Hall, by Most Worshipful Brother Dennis G. J. Marsh and his Officers.

Prior to consecration many of the brethren in the Chetwynd area had formed and attended the Chetwynd Fraternal Club from 1965 - 1987. The majority had received their Masonic degrees and served as officers in Peace Lodge. Many early members, who sustained the fraternal club and later the Lodge, were pioneers of various industries in the fledgling community of Chetwynd. These brethren included industry principals from Westcoast Transmission, Pacific Great Eastern Railway (later B.C. Rail), the Chetwynd sawmill, the hardware store, hotel, and local trucking company owners.  

In October, 2004, the brethren of Chetwynd Lodge registered their Temple Society to oversee the general operations of the Lodge’s property.  

Chetwynd Lodge is a proud supporter of the local Dolly Parton Imagination Library and we donate each year to ensure its continued administration through the Chetwynd Library.  Our Lodge also offers two high school bursaries each year with preference to students studying at the local Northern Lights College.  The Chetwynd Hospital Foundation has received donations of thousands of dollars over many years from the Chetwynd Lodge and the Chetwynd Shrine Club No.51 to support the local hospital in buying equipment to stay here in Chetwynd.  

Each year, for the past decade, the Lodge has participated in the Chetwynd International Chainsaw Carving Competition taking care of clean-up and more recently doing the overnight security for the same. The competition is a world renowned community event that takes place over 4 days on the second weekend in June each year.  Our lodge continues to invite other lodges from the district to come help with the clean-up and to share in the fellowship.

Chetwynd Lodge membership, at its height, numbered near sixty brethren.  Membership has settled in recent years to the mid-thirties.  Our lodge meets on the first Thursday of the month, from September to June, and practices the Canadian Ritual.  Our lodge building continues to provide accommodation to the local Shrine club.