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About the Lodge
Salt Spring Island was settled by pioneers in 1859 and the name was changed to Admiral Island until 1905, when the name was changed back.
This is where the name Admiral Lodge came from and in 1958 a committee was formed and seven members donated a total of $1800 to finance and secure a permanent home for Admiral Lodge. In 1959 the committee along with all Lodge members became the “Salt Spring Island Masonic Society” and they purchased the half acre lot on Lower Ganges Road for $450.
Over the intervening years, although small donations came in, it was not until 1979 that a decision was made to start a building and the purchase of an old machine shop set the project in motion. This dilapidated structure with a corner cut off and no floor was moved to its present site and was sitting on some old timbers to make it one of Salt Spring’s major eyesores, in fact, one local resident pinned a note to it decrying the unsightliness of the building and the shame in spoiling the beauty of its surroundings.
Despite many difficulties and extremely limited funds the Lodge building took on a more liveable stature and our first official meeting in our new building was held on March 10, 1982. It is our pride and joy now and we feel it is a credit to the Craft and the Community.
Location
506 Lower Ganges Road, Saltspring Island, British Columbia V8K 2P6, Canada
Province
Lodges that meet here
Admiral Lodge No. 170
The first recorded Masonic meeting on Salt Spring Island was in 1938 but dispensation to form a Lodge was not granted until December 6, 1957, and Admiral Lodge received its Certificate of Dispensation from Grand Lodge at a Ceremony held in Mahon Hall. Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother Claude Green and District Deputy Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother Castley conducted the Ceremony. Past Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother J. Morgan, Grand Secretary read the Dispensation and a full slate of Officers were installed for the interim period of Dispensation. One hundred and seventeen Brethren attended, of which thirty three were Founding Members of Admiral Lodge, which left eighty four visitors from twenty two separate Lodges. Following closing of Lodge, a supper was held at Harbour House, given by the members of Admiral Lodge for all the visitors and all 117 attended.
On the evening of Saturday August 2, 1958, in Mahon Hall Salt Spring Island one of the most important and dignified gatherings took place—the Ceremony of “The Constitution and Consecration of Admiral Lodge #170” by Most Worshipful Brother Kenneth Reid, Grand Master of British Columbia, assisted by Grand Lodge Officers. This marked the successful result of long months of quickening interest and hard work. The meeting was attended by about 150 Brethren who witnessed the Ceremony of corn, wine and oil preformed with dignity and reverence. The Charter was presented and the officers of Admiral Lodge were duly installed. After Lodge was closed a buffet dinner was held in Harbour House where it was deemed a successful conclusion to a memorable evening.
Over the convening years, Admiral Lodge took on a proud status where they invited our community to attend and participate in Christmas banquets, formal parties, such as our annual Masonic Ball, and Remembrance Day celebrations.
Admiral Lodge No. 170, here on Salt Spring Island, has a long history of involvement with Community Charities. Lady Minto Hospital Foundation, Salt Spring Island Food Bank, Salt Spring Island Hospice, Salt Spring Island Hampers for Christmas, Salt Spring Island Pathfinders, Salt Spring Island Golf and Tennis Introduction for Kids, as well as Greenwoods Elder Care are some of the Charitable Organizations we support.
“Salt Spring Island Food Bank” is the charity we are most proud of as we were directly involved in the creation of the Food Bank building.
