WILLIAMS LAKE MASONIC HALL

The concept of forming a Masonic Lodge in the new community of Williams Lake began prior to June, 2024, when an assembly of Freemasons from various Mother Lodges petitioned Quesnel Lodge No. 69 to sponsor them as a Lodge of Instruction.

To continue with the formation of a new Lodge a Past Master had to be among the founding Brethren. It was remembered that a rancher in the Miocene/Horsefly area had been the Master of Aagenteuil Lodge No. 67 in Quebec, some fifty years previous.

Worshipful Brother Joseph Phillip Patenaude, then 84 years old, agreed to join the group and served as the first Worshipful Master of Centre Lodge for the 1926-27 term.

This required a horseback ride of over 30 miles and an overnight stay in town to attend meetings. Our dedicated Brother passed away January 29, 1929. Reportedly, another founding Brother, James Wiggins, would travel from Horsefly to Barkerville (45 miles “as the crow flies") on horseback via the prospector’s trails to attend Lodge.

Centre Lodge No. 113 was Instituted January 26, 1926, and Constituted August 18th the same year, in Most Worshipful Grand Master D.W. Sutherland’s term of office.

The Lodge was named “Centre Lodge” with reference to its central location in the Cariboo. The Lodge chose the “Canadian Work” as practiced in Quesnel Lodge No. 69.

The founding members of the Lodge were from varying backgrounds, including ranchers, merchants and the forest industry. However, at least ten of the original twenty-four were associated with the PGE railroad, which arrived in 1919. A photo in the Lodge shows fourteen Freemasons standing near a steam locomotive, tender, and passenger car in Williams Lake prior a trip north to Lodge in Quesnel. (A very
convenient train service in those days!)

The original building was destroyed by fire in August, 1970. From that autumn until April, 1971, meetings and degree work were held in the basement hall of St. Peter’s Anglican Church. The last meeting there was an Emergent April 24th to receive Most Worshipful Brother Nicolas Mussallem on his Official Visit to District No. 4.

The May and June meetings of that year were held in the refreshment room, as the new wool carpet had not arrived from Scotland. The regular meeting in September and those since have been in the new Lodge room. The new building was officially opened November 20, 1971, with Deputy Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother Coffin in attendance.

At the regular meeting June 02, 1971, a motion was made and passed “That Centre Lodge give our sanction for them (!00 Mile House Fraternal Club) to operate under us as a Lodge of Instruction.” Thus began Mt. Begbie Lodge No. 183 in 100 Mile House, BC.

In addition to support to Brethren and Widows of Freemasons, Centre Lodge and the Temple Association annually provide $1500 in bursaries to graduating students in School District #27.

As with many fraternal and service organizations, membership has declined over the years from fifty-four on the records in 1930 to thirty-seven at the end of 2023.