About Cascade Lodge no. 5
Our Lodge was initiated in 1888, and has been meeting since then. Originally located in Anthracite (a small mining town between Banff and Canmore) the Lodge was known as Cascade Lodge # 42 of the Grand Registry of Manitoba (Alberta not yet a province). The Lodge moved to Banff from 1892 until 1897 when it returned to Anthracite. In the early days of the Lodge, meetings were often held in different locations amongst the surrounding mountains. One such meeting was held in 1901 at Tunnel Mountain.
From 1901 to 1905, the population of Anthracite all but disappeared and in 1905 the Lodge relocated to Banff. On October 12, 1905, the last meeting of Cascade Lodge # 42 was held and on November 23, 1905, the first meeting of Cascade Lodge # 5 of the Grand Lodge of Alberta was held.
Our present Lodge was constructed in 1924 and was first used in February 1925. It was designed by architect James A. MacDonald of Calgary and built by Arthur Unwin of Banff. The present Lodge has been in use as a Masonic Lodge for nearly 100 years.
Many of Banff’s most notable citizens have served as the Worshipful Master of the Lodge since it was chartered in 1888 (Grand Lodge of Manitoba 1888 – 1905; Grand Lodge of Alberta 1905 – present). These include W.H. McCardell, T.E. Wilson, P.A. Moore, J.I. Brewster, S.J. Unwin, W. Warren, L.S. Crosby, E.J. Langridge, H.A. Gourlay, T.H. Lonsdale and F.A. Gourlay. Dr. R.G. Brett was also a Lodge member.
Affiliated organizations associated with the Lodge have been the Order of the Eastern Star, Royal Arch Masons and the Banff Shrine Club. The Lodge was the centre of social activity in the town for many years being that most of the hotels would close for the winter season and it was one of the largest buildings in town.
The Lodge meets on the second Thursday of each month, except July and August.
Cascade Lodge is on the register of the Grand Lodge of Alberta.
Click here for a link to the Grand Lodge.
If you feel a connection to Freemasonry and are wondering if it is a good fit for you, the Grand Lodge website will give you an introduction.