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About the Lodge
Nelson Lodge No. 23 was constituted in 1894. The first meetings were held in the Odd Fellow’s Hall on Water Street until it was destroyed by fire. In 1923, a new building for Nelson Lodge was constructed at this location. The antique Lodge furniture, within the Lodge, was donated by a Lodge from the United Grand Lodge of England.
The Masonic symbol adorning the exterior of this building has a different origin. Nelson had one of the largest Chinese communities in the province and a Lodge of Chinese Freemasons once resided on Vernon Street. In the early 1900’s, the Vernon Street Lodge moved to a location on Lake Street. Tragedy struck when this Lodge was also destroyed by fire. Right Worshipful Brother Gordon Webb, a true Craftsman, and well known to the Chinese Freemasons at the time, was presented the sign that had marked their building. In the early 1980’s, the sign was refurbished and re-installed on this building.
Location
329 Baker Street, Nelson, British Columbia V1L4H6, Canada
Province
Lodges that meet here
Nelson Lodge No. 23
Nelson Lodge No. 23 was constituted in 1894. The first meetings were held in the Odd Fellow’s Hall on Water Street until it was destroyed by fire. In 1923, a new building for Nelson Lodge was constructed at this location. The antique Lodge furniture, within the Lodge, was donated by a Lodge from the United Grand Lodge of England.
Nelson Lodge No. 23 grew to over 200 members. In 1954, a group of Brethren desiring a more manageable membership, and wishing to perform a different Masonic ritual, petitioned Grand Lodge to form Granite Lodge No. 154.
In 2010, due to declining membership, Granite Lodge joined Nelson Lodge. The last meeting of Granite Lodge was held in the Lodge Hall in December 2010. Their Charter was surrendered to Grand Lodge the following month.
On October 26, 2019, Nelson Lodge No. 23 and neighbouring Kaslo Lodge No. 25 jointly celebrated their 125th Anniversaries. The meeting for the official visit of Most Worshipful Brother Douglas Franklin, to District’s 6 and 7, was held here. The Brethren adjourned to a most beautiful formal banquet at the Waterfront, Prestige Inn Resort, in Nelson.
Nelson Lodge continues to provide support to the community and district, with annual Nelson Masonic Bursary Grants to L.V. Rogers Secondary and Mount Sentinel Secondary School. The Lodge consistently donates to a school in Mexico that serves children with various disabilities. The D.A.R.E. (B.C) Program, ALS Society, local food banks, and other worthy causes, are regular recipients of Nelson Lodge contributions.
