SMITHERS FREEMASONS HALL

With the coming of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway to Smithers in 1913, the district was open for opportunities in mining, agriculture, and forestry. However, many young men had left in the fall of 1914 with the beginning of the First World War. By 1919, the population of Smithers had swollen to nearly six hundred residents. There were 25 to 30 Freemasons in the area that came together with the intention of forming a new Masonic Lodge.

Early in 1920, a petition was sent to the Grand Lodge of British Columbia requesting permission to form a Masonic Lodge in Smithers, Omineca Lodge. The name was taken from the land region of north central British Columbia, which had a history dating back to the gold rush of 1869 on the Omineca River. The petition was supported by two Masonic Lodges from Prince Rupert: Tsimpsean Lodge No. 58 on April 2, 1920, and Tyee Lodge No. 66, on April 13, 1920.

In June of 1920, at the annual communication of the Grand Lodge of British Columbia, the new Lodge became known as Omineca Lodge U.D. (under dispensation).  The Dispensation for Omineca Lodge was issued September 9, 1920, Instituted October 19, 1920, Warranted June 23, 1921 and Constituted September 24, 1921.

The first elected Worshipful Master was to be Mr. Allan Kilpatrick who resigned due to a job position change and Mr. Stephen H. Hoskins, the local government agent, was then elected to be the first Worshipful Master. The third Monday of the month was chosen for the meeting night to coincide with the train schedule from Prince Rupert. At that time several Freemasons lived in Evelyn and Hazelton. The Lodge found a suitable meeting room in the Community Centre (later the Elks Hall).

The new Lodge became known as Omineca Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and numbered No. 92 on the Registry of Grand Lodge of British Columbia. The charter, which is still proudly displayed in the lodge, was presented to forty-six members of Omineca Lodge on the evening of October 19, 1921. Following the Lodge meeting, a ball was held to celebrate the occasion and at midnight, a sumptuous dinner was served.  All presided over by Worshipful Master Brother Stephen Hoskins.

Omineca Lodge, over the years, owned several different pieces of real estate in Smithers, always with the intent of developing its own Lodge hall, however nothing ever transpired until November 1, 1998.

The Lodge purchased a building at 3883 4th Avenue. The building originally was built by the Canadian Reform Church in 1958 and remained a church until 1974. The building changed hands many times after that being used for a building supply, plumbing supply, flower shop and barber shop before being purchased by Omineca Masonic Association.

Renovations were led by Right Worshipful Brother Malcolm Chaplin and all the Brethren contributed to the renovations to build a home for Omineca Lodge. The official opening was on May 17, 1999, and was attended to by Most Worshipful Brother Harold C. Nordan, Deputy District Grand Master Right Worshipful Brother E.D (Ted) Bobb and Worshipful Master Worshipful Brother Kelly Jones.

Omineca Lodge No. 92 has been meeting continuously since 1921, on the 3rd Monday of the month.

On the 100th Anniversary of Omineca Lodge in September 2021, Very Worshipful Brother Murray Chapin celebrated his 50th Masonic anniversary and Right Worshipful Brother E.D. (Ted) Bobb celebrated his 48th Masonic anniversary with Omineca Lodge No. 92.  Both are still active and contribute to Omineca Lodge No. 92.