The First 100 Years

The Early Years

The story of Dominion Lodge #117 began in Edmonton in 1920, at a time when Freemasonry was already well established in the growing city. There were eleven Craft Lodges operating in Edmonton, many of them with large memberships, and a group of Masons—most with connections to Empire Lodge #63—came to believe there was room for another Lodge.

The first formal steps were taken by W. Bro. Thomas William Teape and Bro. William Gentle. On April 24, 1920, a group of interested Masons met and agreed to proceed with the formation of a new Lodge. Thomas Teape was chosen to serve as Worshipful Master, Edward Withinshaw as Senior Warden, Henry Taylor as Junior Warden, and Arthur Gentle as Secretary.

Finding a place to meet presented an immediate challenge. Three of Edmonton’s four Lodge rooms were already heavily booked. Acacia Lodge #11 stepped forward and offered the new Lodge the use of its facilities in the Richards Block at 10424 – 82 Avenue. Dominion’s early records specifically acknowledge the kindness, courtesy and assistance provided by the officers and members of Acacia during those formative months.

A petition carrying the names of 21 Brethren was prepared and presented for approval. The Lodge records identify its Charter Members as Thomas William Teape, Edward Withinshaw, Henry Taylor, Arthur Gentle, William Woodruff Ward, Herbert B. Collins, David Porter, Albert Lionel Williams, Francis Taylor, James Sisson Slater, Alfred C. Woodard, Alfred Leonard, Henry Parsons, George R. Blanchett, Hugh Hume, James Murray, John Eakin, Mathew Mower, Harold V. Wootton, George Alfred Johnson and Charles M. Camroux.

Approval was sought from Edmonton’s existing Lodges, and after the necessary support was obtained, the petition was forwarded on September 5, 1920 to the District Deputy Grand Master, R.W. Bro. Robert Moss. His approval followed quickly, and on September 24 word was received that the Grand Master had also approved the petition.

A final organizational meeting took place on September 29. The name “Harmony Lodge” had previously been considered, but the Brethren ultimately chose Dominion Lodge, reflecting the fact that its anticipated consecration would fall close to Dominion Day on July 1, 1921. The Lodge would work the Canadian Rite.

The remainder of the first officer team was also established. Alfred C. Woodard served as Chaplain, James Sisson Slater as Treasurer, Herbert B. Collins as Senior Deacon, David Porter as Junior Deacon, Albert Lionel Williams as Senior Steward, Francis Taylor as Junior Steward, Alfred Leonard as Director of Ceremonies, Henry Parsons as Inner Guard and George R. Blanchett as Tyler. Initiation fees were initially set at $50, with annual dues of $10.

On October 6, 1920, the ceremony of institution was held in Acacia Lodge’s rooms in the Richards Block. R.W. Bro. Robert Moss, DDGM of District 10, occupied the Master’s Chair for the installation and investiture of Dominion Lodge U.D.’s first officers, assisted by Grand Lodge officers and officers from other Edmonton Lodges.

The founders also agreed on three principles that would guide the new Lodge: that it would uphold the true spirit of Masonry, conduct its affairs in accordance with the Constitution, and avoid internal factions or cliques. The only “party” within the Lodge was to be Dominion Lodge itself. The Lodge operated under dispensation until its warrant was granted in June 1921.

Dominion’s earliest meetings were held in the Richards Block. In February 1922, the Lodge relocated to the downtown Masonic Hall on 102 Street, a replica of which can now be seen at Fort Edmonton Park. The meeting schedule also evolved during these early years. After initially meeting on the first and third Wednesdays, the Lodge eventually settled in 1925 on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month—a schedule that would remain familiar to generations of Dominion Brethren.

Another major move came on September 9, 1931, when Dominion held its first meeting in the newly constructed Central Masonic Temple, later known as Freemasons Hall. It would remain the Lodge’s home for the balance of its first century.

The officers who established Dominion Lodge were experienced Masons, and the Lodge quickly developed a reputation as a well-managed Canadian Rite Lodge. Its membership also reflected the changing character of Edmonton itself. At different times, Dominion included significant numbers of men working in the railway industry, law enforcement and meat packing. As the decades passed, that concentration gave way to a membership drawn from an increasingly broad range of occupations.

The physical Lodge itself was also built, in part, through the generosity of its members, their families and friends in other Lodges. Early records note numerous gifts of furnishings and regalia. Bro. A. Leonard donated Wardens’ Columns and gavels in 1922; the officers provided Deacons’ and Stewards’ wands in 1926; Bro. Benjamin Leibovitz donated the High Twelve gong in 1927; and later gifts included a Volume of the Sacred Law, officer collars, gavels, furnishings and other Lodge equipment—many of which remained in use for decades. Dominion, in turn, made donations to other Lodges and to the Central Masonic Temple, continuing a tradition of practical support within the wider Masonic community.

Social Events & the Dominion Day Festival

From its earliest years, Dominion Lodge understood that fellowship extended well beyond formal Lodge meetings. Picnics, camp-outs and Family Nights all found their way onto the calendar, but two traditions in particular became closely associated with Dominion.

The first was Ladies Night, an annual occasion created to recognize and thank the spouses of Dominion Brethren. Beginning in 1924, it remained one of the Lodge’s social highlights until interest gradually declined in the mid-1970s.

The second became one of Dominion’s most recognizable traditions: the Dominion Day Festival.

The first celebration was organized in 1935 under Worshipful Master W. Bro. Ernie Figg. Conceived as a celebration of Dominion Lodge’s birthday in conjunction with Dominion Day, the event quickly proved popular with both members and visitors from across the jurisdiction.

In 1944, R.W. Bro. Ernie Foster assumed leadership of the event and transformed it into the pancake supper that generations of Dominion Brethren would come to know. Held during the pleasant weather of June, the gathering could spill outdoors into the area around Freemasons Hall. The Lodge’s strong representation from Edmonton’s meat-packing industry also proved useful, with Brethren supporting the supper through food donations. At its height, attendance exceeded 200 Brethren.

The pancake recipe itself became part of the tradition, passed from one group of Lodge officers to the next as a way of helping ensure the event would continue.

Over time, the evening’s program took on a distinctly Canadian character. Guest speakers addressed Canadian themes from a variety of perspectives, and for a period the banquet hall was arranged with tables representing the different Canadian provinces. Brethren seated at each table would share information about the province they represented.

Dominion Night, as the event eventually became known, remained a defining feature of Lodge life for approximately 75 of Dominion’s first 100 years. By 2009/10, the longstanding tradition was giving way to an annual June Family BBQ, which would itself become an important part of Dominion’s social calendar.

Early Foundation Builders

A Lodge that survives for a century is built by far more people than can ever be named in a single history. Dominion was no exception. Brethren gave money, furnishings, equipment, time, skill and countless hours of service. Some contributions were highly visible; others happened quietly and simply became part of the fabric of the Lodge.

Two men received particular recognition in Dominion’s 75th Anniversary history.

Bro. Benjamin Leibovitz, known widely and affectionately as “Uncle Ben,” served as Treasurer of Dominion Lodge from 1925 until 1975—half a century in the same office. He died in September 1981 at the age of 95.

R.W. Bro. Ernie Foster made his mark in several different ways. He was responsible for establishing the annual City Police Night, during which the Police Degree Team performed degree work for Dominion. He also directed Dominion Night celebrations for many years, served as Lodge Secretary from 1948 to 1962 and was District Deputy Grand Master in 1962/63. He died in January 1985.

Dominion’s influence also extended into the creation of another Lodge.

Just as Dominion had grown from the initiative of Masons with roots in Empire Lodge #63, Dominion later helped provide the foundation for Balmoral Lodge #185. R.W. Bro. Alex Sollanych, Dominion’s Worshipful Master in 1956, joined with Masons from Dominion and other Edmonton Lodges who lived in St. Albert to petition for the creation of a Lodge there.

Balmoral Lodge was instituted in April 1962 and warranted one year later. Its name reflected the fact that several of its Charter Members lived on Balmoral Drive in St. Albert, and R.W. Bro. Sollanych became its first Worshipful Master.

More Recent Highlights

When Dominion Lodge celebrated its 75th anniversary in November 1995, the milestone naturally prompted Brethren to look back at what had been accomplished—and forward to the Lodge’s eventual centennial.

The following years tell the story of that final quarter-century: periods of strong participation and periods of concern, experiments that became traditions, changes in Lodge administration, renewed emphasis on education and mentorship, and eventually the challenge of guiding the Lodge through a global pandemic and into its second century.

Where Brethren are identified in this history, their current rank is used and may not necessarily reflect the rank they held at the time of the event described.

1992 / 93

October 1992 provided Dominion Lodge with a memorable evening of degree work. The officers conducted a Master Mason’s Degree for V.W. Bro. Brian Supervich, who was a family member of Alberta’s sitting Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Gordon Towers. As a former Grand Master, the Lieutenant Governor accepted an invitation to attend.

The evening was coordinated by R.W. Bro. Don Hart and carried a little more pressure than an ordinary degree night. With distinguished guests in the room, Dominion’s officers had every reason to want their work to be at its best.

Visitation was also receiving considerable attention during this period. The District had recently been renamed Athabasca District by Grand Lodge, replacing its former designation as District 19. Dominion officers and Past Masters actively supported two programs intended to encourage Lodges to visit one another: the Balmoral Stone, which promoted inter-Lodge visitation with an emphasis on education, and the Travelling Gavel, which recognized strong visiting attendance.

In March 1993, fifteen Dominion Brethren travelled to Barhead Lodge and returned home with possession of the Travelling Gavel.

1994 / 95

Participation and communication became pressing concerns in 1994. Lodge officers were trying to encourage greater involvement from the membership, and V.W. Bro. Jim Berry’s frustration was captured rather dramatically in his May Master’s Message. It consisted of only two words: “WHO CARES.”

At the same time, renovations at Freemasons Hall required support from the building’s tenants. Dominion’s officers and several Past Masters considered whether the Lodge should relocate, but the idea was ultimately rejected.

By 1995, attention was increasingly focused on Dominion’s approaching 75th Anniversary. Planning was led by V.W. Bro. Don Dobie and became an important priority for R.W. Bro. Bhajan Deol and his officers. The work culminated in the November 4, 1995 anniversary celebration and banquet at Freemasons Hall, which proved to be a great success.

1996 / 97

The officers entered 1996 determined to strengthen the Lodge and encourage greater involvement. Worshipful Master W. Bro. Bill Gillies challenged the Brethren through his own commitment to contribute twenty-five cents per day to the Bursary Fund.

Administrative changes followed as well. The Lodge’s bylaws were adjusted so that dues could be reviewed alongside the annual financial report, allowing rates to reflect the Lodge’s financial circumstances. Elections were moved to October, and a five-year planning committee was formed to encourage longer-term thinking about Dominion’s activities and development.

At the same time, the Lodge began experimenting with new ways of bringing Brethren together. The first Great Canadian Chicken Wing Contest was introduced. Friends Night gave members an opportunity to bring a non-Masonic friend to an informal social and information evening. Birthday cakes became part of monthly festive boards, group attendance at the Kananaskis Spring Workshop was encouraged, and a special Lodge meeting and Ladies Night was held at the Fort Edmonton Masonic Hall.

Communication also improved. In 1997, the officers produced the first Dominion Lodge Agenda and Members Roster, beginning a practice that continued annually for many years.

The period was not without difficulty. The 1997 Worshipful Master was frequently absent, including a last-minute absence from a Second Degree that required the visiting Worshipful Master of Tawatinaw Lodge #71 to step into the Chair. In October, the Lodge summons went out without a Master’s message because one had not been prepared in time. Morale within the Lodge was very low.

1998 / 99

Rather than abandon the initiatives introduced during the previous two years, Dominion continued and expanded them. Regular degree work carried on alongside the Lodge’s growing collection of social and fraternal activities, and weekly lunches with the Worshipful Master at Freemasons Hall were added to the calendar.

The Kananaskis Spring Workshop became particularly important. In 1998, Dominion received recognition for the highest per-capita attendance at the Workshop. Strong participation developed into an annual bonding experience and helped build a renewed sense of fraternity within the Lodge.

Summer planning retreats also continued, giving incoming officers an opportunity to establish priorities and a theme before beginning their year. For 1999, the Worshipful Master and officers selected a straightforward theme: “Back to the Basics – Good Ritual – Good Hosts – Good Visitors.”

2000 / 01

The arrival of the new millennium brought Dominion into a new era of communication.

In the years leading up to 2000, widespread concern about the so-called Y2K problem had raised questions about whether electronically stored information would survive the transition from dates beginning with “19” to those beginning with “20.” Against that backdrop, W. Bro. Richard Bigelow encouraged Dominion Lodge to move ahead with the development of a Lodge web page.

It proved to be an important step. The decision began a transition in how Dominion managed and shared information—one that would become increasingly significant in the decades ahead.

A Millennium Roll Call was also undertaken, with certificates distributed to everyone who was a member of Dominion Lodge in the year 2000.

Popular events from the preceding years continued, including the Chicken Wing Contest, Kananaskis Workshop participation, Dominion Night and the summer planning gathering. There were also a few experiments. Dominion Brethren constructed a raft and entered the annual Edmonton Klondike Days raft race, an adventure that left more than a few members soaked and, perhaps tellingly, did not become an annual tradition.

In 2001, W. Bro. Wayne McMillian and his officers also coordinated a Family Night at Fort Edmonton Park.

2002 / 03

Dominion began 2002 with an impressive turnout. More than 100 guests attended the installation of R.W. Bro. Earle Sharam as Worshipful Master.

As a professional educator and accomplished orator, R.W. Bro. Sharam placed renewed emphasis on Masonic education. Educational content became more visible during Lodge meetings, and the monthly summons began serving not simply as a notice of upcoming business but as a source of information and inspiration for the Brethren.

Fraternal life continued to evolve as well. Pre-meeting dinners were introduced, and after many years away from the calendar, Dominion once again held a family picnic. A special evening was also organized to recognize life members, with certificates presented to selected Brethren.

One Brother remembered particularly from this period was W. Bro. Ted Arklie, a Past Master and Honorary Life Member who had served for many years as an organist for Dominion and other Edmonton Lodges. In 2003, he donated an organ to Freemasons Hall. His declining health eventually prevented him from continuing as Dominion’s organist, and he died in 2005. His music, however, remained a fond memory for many Brethren.

Despite the number and variety of events being organized, poor attendance was beginning to emerge once again as a source of concern.

2004 / 05

The centennial of both Alberta and the Grand Lodge of Alberta in 2005 gave Lodges across the jurisdiction an opportunity to undertake centennial projects of their own. Dominion devoted considerable attention to its project throughout 2004 and 2005.

Attendance at Lodge meetings and events remained troublesome, although there was no shortage of new members entering the Craft. At one meeting during this period, six Brethren were raised to the Degree of a Master Mason at the same time—a considerable logistical exercise for the Lodge officers.

At the same time, waning participation created a gap in the normal progression toward the Master’s Chair. Two Past Masters stepped forward: V.W. Bro. Richard Bigelow and V.W. Bro. Brian Supervich, who served second terms as Worshipful Master in 2005 and 2006 respectively.

For its Grand Lodge centennial project, Dominion chose to create a Lodge Standard. Designed by W. Bro. John Newman and W. Bro. David Clarke, the Standard was produced under the leadership of W. Bro. Bigelow with significant support from the Brethren. It became a proud and lasting part of Dominion Lodge.

Dominion Night in 2005 also included an appropriate connection between speculative and operative Masonry: the Lodge presented an award to NAIT’s highest-achieving graduate in bricklaying.

2006 / 07

In 2006, Dominion established a Lodge Mentorship Committee, an initiative that would eventually have a significant influence on how the Lodge welcomed and supported new members. W. Bro. Keith Kibbler became its first chairman.

The annual summer planning event was also revived after several years of inactivity. Festive Boards received renewed attention, with presentations being added to make the time after Lodge both social and informative.

Dominion’s connection with the Kananaskis Spring Workshop remained strong. In 2007, Worshipful Master W. Bro. Karl Horak accepted the per-capita attendance award on behalf of the Lodge.

That same year brought another addition to Dominion’s social calendar when W. Bro. Albert Yule hosted a wild game BBQ. The gathering proved popular enough to continue for a number of years.

2008 / 09

Another gap in the officer line appeared in 2008, and V.W. Bro. Jim Berry returned to serve a second term as Worshipful Master. His year placed renewed emphasis on traditional Masonic activities, particularly visitation and active participation in Lodge events.

For the second consecutive year, Dominion was recognized for having the highest attendance at the Kananaskis Spring Workshop.

Dominion Night continued, although its familiar pancake supper was replaced with a more conventional evening meal.

The Lodge’s online presence was also becoming more important. Dominion’s website was updated and a formal webmaster role was created. What had begun as an information tool increasingly became an important point of contact for men interested in learning about Freemasonry and potentially becoming members of the Lodge.

In 2009, W. Bro. Terry Baskier and his officers adopted the theme “Bringing the Lodge Together as a Family.” Brethren were invited to share personal biographies during meetings, giving members an opportunity to know one another beyond their Lodge offices and ritual work. The Family BBQ was also reintroduced as part of the effort to strengthen those connections.

2010 / 2011

Communication continued to change during 2010 and 2011. Dominion’s summons included more educational material, while an increasing number of Brethren began receiving their monthly notices by email. These developments offered an early indication of how important digital communication would eventually become to the Lodge.

Bro. David Clarke’s year as Worshipful Master was affected by a change in the office of Secretary midway through his term.

Dominion continued its strong association with the Kananaskis Workshop. In both years the Lodge was recognized for its attendance and support, with Dominion Brethren participating not only as attendees but in the delivery and coordination of portions of the program.

One longstanding tradition did come to an end. Dominion Night was discontinued and replaced by the annual summer Family BBQ, an event that would establish a popular tradition of its own.

Administrative practices were also being strengthened. In 2011, attention was given to financial reporting, the assignment of degree work and the way Dominion responded to men expressing an interest in membership. During this period the term “Seeker” entered Dominion’s vocabulary for men exploring the possibility of becoming Freemasons.

2012 / 13

Bro. Ashley Kuehn served as Worshipful Master for two consecutive years during this period. That had happened only twice previously in Dominion’s history: with the Lodge’s first Master, R.W. Bro. Thomas Teape in 1920–21, and W. Bro. B. Bruyer in 1990–91.

When the Senior Warden expected to advance to the Chair in 2013 demitted shortly before the election, W. Bro. Kuehn remained as Worshipful Master for a second year.

Membership was growing quickly, and the Lodge was conducting degrees every month. With assistance from Exemplar Lodge #175, some Dominion Brethren received their Master Mason’s Degree through Exemplar’s outdoor Autumnal Equinox Degree.

Masonic education also remained prominent. V.W. Bro. Brian Supervich facilitated a seminar titled “Putting the Words into Action,” examining how lessons contained in Masonic ritual could be applied in everyday life.

The social calendar included a Family Christmas Party, Hockey Night, Super Bowl gatherings, Family BBQs and picnics.

Growing interest generated through the Lodge website also required a more deliberate approach to potential members. A Greeting and Membership Committee was established to develop processes for working with the increasing number of Seekers. Degree scheduling became more controlled, and Dominion took another step toward modernizing its administration through the purchase of software to automate Lodge records.

2014 / 15

March 2014 brought an opportunity to recognize one of Dominion Lodge’s most respected long-serving members, R.W. Bro. Don Hart. A Past Master of Dominion from 1951 and Athabasca District Deputy Grand Master in 2000, R.W. Bro. Hart was honoured for 70 years as a member of Dominion Lodge.

His family joined the celebration, along with Grand Master M.W. Bro. John Cameron and Brethren from across Alberta.

Dominion’s long enthusiasm for the Kananaskis Spring Workshop was beginning to decline, although the Workshop’s 50th Anniversary in 2015 drew strong attendance and was considered a worthwhile event.

Bro. Brandon McCready and his 2015 officer team chose “Back to the Basics” as their theme. The emphasis showed in the Lodge’s ritual work, which was increasingly being noticed by others for the quality of its delivery.

Mentorship also continued to develop. The Greeting and Membership Committee evolved into one focused on Guidance and Mentorship, placing greater emphasis on helping Brethren through their work in the three degrees.

Administrative practices were refined through the introduction of a consent agenda designed to streamline business meetings. New officer training was introduced and would eventually develop into Officer Manuals that clearly described the responsibilities and expectations associated with each Lodge office.

Bro. McCready also introduced a Poker and Ribs Night, which became a popular summer event for both Brethren and Seekers.

By the end of this period, the results of years of work were becoming increasingly apparent. A strong fraternal spirit had taken hold within Dominion Lodge.

2016 / 17

In 2016, Worshipful Master R.W. Bro. Matt Evans continued his leadership of a complete renewal of Dominion Lodge’s summons and website, drawing on his professional background in website design and graphic arts.

The renewed website continued to generate considerable interest from prospective members. As the number of Seekers increased, so too did Dominion’s emphasis on welcoming them, getting to know them and ensuring that mentorship was part of their experience. Mentorship responsibilities were formally incorporated into the assignments of specific Lodge officers through the Officer Manuals.

Bro. Will Meyers, Worshipful Master in 2017, reinforced the Lodge’s educational focus by creating an expectation that officers would deliver educational presentations during meetings. Breakfast education seminars that had originated in 2012 were also revived and developed into the regular program that became known as the Five Points Seminars.

Two senior Dominion Brethren, V.W. Bro. Jim Berry and W. Bro. Don Gardener, were recognized during this period with their 60-Year Bars.

Not everything was quite so formal. June 2016 saw Dominion’s first Hawaiian Shirt Night, held during the final regular business meeting before the summer recess. It proved popular and became an annual attraction.

Family BBQs continued, and the Dominion Day tradition was revived in another form with a lawn-bowling event—a new challenge for many of the Brethren.

There were still administrative concerns, particularly delinquent dues. Yet the broader sense within the Lodge was increasingly positive. Fraternal bonds had strengthened, participation had improved, and Brethren were beginning to say openly that “Dominion was doing things right.”

2018 / 19

With the centennial approaching, W. Bro. Ryan White and W. Bro. Cory Imppola placed increasing priority on preparations for Dominion Lodge’s 100th Anniversary in 2021. A committee began meeting regularly, building upon earlier preparations that had already included the purchase of appropriate regalia.

Bro. Rick Emas later stepped forward as committee chairman, and numerous Brethren participated in fundraising to help meet the budget established for the celebration.

The Lodge also had the opportunity to celebrate a remarkable personal milestone. R.W. Bro. Don Hart turned 100 years old in 2018, and Dominion members attended his family-hosted birthday celebration in significant numbers at Strathearn United Church.

Within the Lodge, R.W. Bro. Hart was presented with his 75-Year Bar by the Grand Lodge of Alberta—an honour the Lodge’s history records as one that no Mason in the jurisdiction had previously received.

Administrative development continued. Dominion began developing policies intended to preserve good management practices over time, beginning with a clear process for handling delinquent dues.

In 2019, W. Bro. Cory Imppola and his officer team extended that approach to the way Seekers progressed toward petitioning for initiation. A defined series of steps was established and recorded in a “Passport” that a Seeker would complete in support of his petition.

Dominion’s website and monthly members’ notice continued to develop as well. The secure Members Only area was upgraded, while the monthly notice grew into a substantial publication containing thoroughly researched educational articles.

The Lodge’s social traditions carried on. The popular Family BBQ had been hosted by W. Bro. Gord Hostland and then W. Bro. Ryan White before the responsibility passed to Bro. Shane Miners. Dominion also added a new charitable and fraternal initiative: the Dominion Lodge Blood Drive.

2020 / 21

When W. Bro. Ryan Falkenberg and his new officer team conducted a Second Degree in January 2020, Dominion had nine Fellowcraft Masons awaiting advancement. No one in the Lodge could have known how long that wait was about to become.

By April 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic had brought in-person Masonic activity to a halt. Like every Lodge in the jurisdiction, Dominion was unable to hold in-person meetings or confer degrees. Regular Lodge life would not resume until September 2021.

Six of those nine Fellowcraft Masons were finally raised to the Third Degree in October 2021, well into what had become the 2020 officer team’s second year leading the Lodge.

The pandemic also disrupted plans for one of the most important events in Dominion’s history. The Lodge’s 100th Anniversary celebration and re-consecration ceremony had been scheduled for July 3, 2021. Public-health restrictions made the event impossible, and it had to be postponed.

Once in-person meetings could resume, centennial planning began again, this time for a ceremony and banquet on March 26, 2022.

Throughout the nearly two-year interruption, Dominion relied on technology to preserve as much fraternal connection as possible. Virtual meetings and online social gatherings allowed Brethren to remain in contact. Lodge notices continued to be produced with an emphasis on education, supplemented by virtual educational presentations.

Virtual interaction was not equally comfortable for everyone, but it gave many Brethren a way to maintain their connection with the Lodge during an extraordinary period.

Returning to the Lodge room brought challenges of its own. Sanitation requirements, masks and physical distancing were a significant change for Brethren accustomed to much more open expressions of friendship and fraternity.

That made the first in-person Festive Board following the October 2021 degrees particularly meaningful. After such a long separation, simply being together again carried unusual significance.

The installation of W. Bro. Jim Newman and his 2022 team of officers provided another clear indication that the strong sense of brotherhood that had developed over the preceding years had survived the interruption.

Dominion Lodge had reached its second century. Despite everything that had delayed the celebration, there was good reason for optimism.

2022/2023

The centennial celebration that had been postponed by the pandemic was finally held on March 26, 2022. Members from across the jurisdiction attended the long-awaited event, allowing Dominion Lodge to formally mark a milestone that had been more than a century in the making.

Another extraordinary milestone followed on September 8, 2023, when Dominion Lodge and members from across the jurisdiction gathered at the Al Shamal Shrine Centre to celebrate R.W. Bro. Donald Hart’s 80-Year Bar.

The period also brought Dominion full circle geographically.

In early 2023, the Lodge voted in favour of leaving Freemasons Hall and relocating to Acacia Hall in Old Strathcona. On June 28, several members gathered to move Dominion’s belongings.

Then, on September 13, 2023, Dominion Lodge held its first meeting back at Acacia Hall since 1920—the same Acacia Lodge whose members had opened their doors to Dominion’s founders more than a century earlier while the new Lodge was still finding its footing.

It was a fitting place from which to continue the story of Dominion Lodge #117 into its second century.