How To Join A Lodge

If you are a male age 21 years or older thinking about joining Freemasonry in the Ottawa area, welcome to this webpage. Selecting a Lodge is your first step and you indeed have many choices. Within the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario, there are two Masonic Districts in the Ottawa Region - District 1, and District 2 - our District.

This website covers the Lodges in Ottawa District 2, but there are two other jurisdictions in the region - Prince Hall Masonry and the Grand Lodge of Quebec (Gatineau area). If you choose to join us at Ottawa District 2, you several Lodges to consider, each with their own character and priorities.

This webpage is designed to help you in the decision making process when considering which Lodge to join. You will have to determine what location and which night of the week works best for you and your family. Click on the "Meetings & Buildings" tab above to review Lodges, locations and meeting nights.

Return to this page and read about the Lodges on your short list. Compare their descriptions and the categories they hold as priorities as are outlined in the table below. Then decide which Lodge works for you!

Click on the Lodge URL or click on "contact us" and send an email outlining your desired Lodge, and you should be contacted by a Lodge member in short order to arrange an initial interview. If the interview is successful, you will be invited to meet the Brethren of the Lodge at social events. Thereafter, you may be given an application for Initiation (the First Degree in our progression program), and "your" Lodge will lead you through the time-honoured initiation process.

Explanation of the Categories

Ritual

Conducts Classes for the newer Mason
Conducts Ritual Practices
Embraces Ritual Mentoring (assigning an experienced Mason to each new Mason)

Academic

Conducts Lodge Night Masonic Education on historical and philosophical topics
Conducts structured encouragement to research & present topics of interest
Holds off-night discussion groups

Structural

Focuses on correct protocol & etiquette
Establishes meaningful committees with defined mandates
Has an effective mentoring program

District Engagement

Embraces competition between Lodges
Active Engagement and Participation as a Lodge in District Events and Initiatives
If there isn’t an event to attend, push the District for one
Is involved in planning & executing District-wide efforts
Encourages travel to other Lodges for their Lodge meetings or off-night events

Social (Lodge Night)

Conducts Festive Boards (meals) as a matter of priority
Holds formal and informal functions
Encourages real, actual social interaction
Holds Lodge-initiated and schedule events outside of Lodge Night
If there isn’t an event scheduled, they schedule one

Charitable

Schedules events supporting District and Lodge charities,
Develops a Lodge plan for Charitable works and execute that plan
If there isn’t an event scheduled, they schedule one

Ottawa District 2 Lodges and Their Priorities

Renfrew Lodge

Instituted on December 19, 1859, Renfrew Lodge was the first Lodge established in the Upper Ottawa Valley. It now resides in the O'Brien Apartments in beautiful downtown Renfrew.

Priorities:

Ritual | Social | Structural

Pembroke Lodge

Warranted on July 12, 1860, this Lodge is famous for its collection of Past Grand Masters and District Deputy Grand Masters. Its ties to the community of Pembroke and its ties to the Canadian military characterize this lively Lodge.

Priorities:

Ritual | Academic | Structural

The Builders' Lodge

A vibrant Lodge with over 150 years of rich history – from founding members who constructed the Parliament buildings to internationally recognized mining pioneers and humanitarians. Today, as always, we strive to build our community one man at a time through fraternal events, self-improvement through association, charity and scholarships.

Priorities:

Social | Ritual | Structural

Madawaska Lodge

Madawaska Lodge was instituted on January 9, 1868, in Arnprior during an era when lumber and grist mills were burgeoning due to Arnprior's vital location at the meeting of the Madawaska and Ottawa Rivers This Lodge celebrates its 150th Anniversary this year.

Priorities:

Ritual | Social | Academic

Cobden Lodge

A small-town Lodge known for its hospitality
and very interesting meetings.

Priorities:

Social | Ritual | Academic

Ionic Lodge

Named after one of the orders of architecture, Ionic Lodge was instituted on December 9, 1913, in Westboro. Recently this Lodge has gained a reputation for excellence in ritual work and for its remarkable social events.

Priorities:

Ritual | Academic | Social

Ashlar Lodge

With interest in Masonry reaching a high point after World War I, a number of new Lodges were instituted in Ottawa to meet that demand. Ashlar Lodge was contituted in October 9, 1920 and will soon celebrate its centennial year.

Priorities:

Ritual | Structural | Social

Bytown Lodge

As one of our younger Lodges (constituted and consecrated on October 2, 1970), Bytown Lodge proudly carries Ottawa's former name. Located in Westboro, its meetings are very interesting and the Lodge - known as "The Friendly Lodge", always makes its visitors feel welcome.

Priorities:

Social | Academic | Ritual