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About the Lodge
Grand Trunk Pacific Railway brings 50 Master Masons to Fort George.
The history of Freemasonry in Prince George is closely bound to the history of Prince George as a modern settlement. It does not appear that Freemasonry entered into this area on any organized basis during the earlier era of the fur trader or of the miner. In 1913, the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway moved its construction base of operation to Fort George, bringing approximately 50 Master Masons in its employ. These Masons met in Central Fort George and South Fort George. When the Great War broke out, the group fell apart, as Brethren left to go overseas.
In July, 1919, Masons began meeting as a Lodge of Instruction. At a meeting held on October 24, 1919, the Brethren voted to petition Grand Lodge for dispensation to form a new Lodge, to be named Nechako Lodge. On February 27, 1920, Nechako Lodge No. 86 was formally Instituted, and, on July 11, 1920, Nechako Lodge was formally Constituted and the Officers installed.
In January 1951, a committee was struck to investigate the feasibility of erecting a new building. In May of 1951, the Lodge also purchased the two lots that the Lodge building currently stands on. The Prince George Masonic Temple Limited was formed, and incorporated in November 1953. A meeting of Nechako Lodge No. 86 was held in this building on December 27, 1954, to elect the Officers for the following year. Finally, on April 20, 1955, Prince George area Freemasons commenced regular meetings in this building.
In 2018, the building was renamed The Hilliard Clare Masonic Hall in honour of a member who has served this Lodge for over sixty years. The building is home to the Order of the Eastern Star, Job’s Daughters, Royal Arch Masons, Scottish Rite, Shriners, Nechako Lodge No. 86 and Prince George Lodge No. 178.
Location
480 Vancouver Street, Prince George, British Columbia V2L 5N2, Canada
Province
Lodges that meet here
Nechako Lodge No. 86
Grand Trunk Pacific Railway brings 50 Master Masons to Fort George.
The history of Freemasonry in Prince George is closely bound to the history of Prince George as a modern settlement. It does not appear that Freemasonry entered into this area on any organized basis during the earlier era of the fur trader or of the miner. In 1913, the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway moved its construction base of operation to Fort George, bringing approximately 50 Master Masons in its employ. These Masons met in Central Fort George and South Fort George. When the Great War broke out, the group fell apart, as Brethren left to go overseas.
In July, 1919, Masons began meeting as a Lodge of Instruction. At a meeting held on October 24, 1919, the Brethren voted to petition Grand Lodge for dispensation to form a new Lodge, to be named Nechako Lodge. On February 27, 1920, Nechako Lodge No. 86 was formally Instituted, and, on July 11, 1920, Nechako Lodge was formally Constituted and the Officers installed.
In January 1951, a committee was struck to investigate the feasibility of erecting a new building. In May of 1951, the Lodge also purchased the two lots that the Lodge building currently stands on. The Prince George Masonic Temple Limited was formed, and incorporated in November 1953. A meeting of Nechako Lodge No. 86 was held in this building on December 27, 1954, to elect the Officers for the following year. Finally, on April 20, 1955, Prince George area Freemasons commenced regular meetings in this building.
In 2018, the building was renamed The Hilliard Clare Masonic Hall in honour of a member who has served this Lodge for over sixty years. The building is home to the Order of the Eastern Star, Job’s Daughters, Royal Arch Masons, Scottish Rite, Shriners, Nechako Lodge No. 86 and Prince George Lodge No. 178.
