The Official Masonic Website of Ottawa District 2
The Official Masonic Website of Ottawa District 2

OTTAWA DISTRICT 2 MASONS - THINKING OF JOINING US? 
THIS IS THE PLACE TO START!

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

 

 

 

Each lodge has three of these categories listed in priority. 
If you see anything you llike, click on the "Contact" Tab on the menu.

 

 

 

District 2 Lodges and Their Priorities

Lodge Name

Description

Priorities

Renfrew Lodge No.122

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.

Ritual

Social

Structural

Pembroke Lodge No. 128

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.   

Ritual

Academic
Structural
 

The Builders' Lodge No. 177
 

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.

 

 

Social

Ritual

Structural

Madawaska Lodge No. 196

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.

Ritual

Social

Academic

Cobden Lodge
No. 459

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

Social
Ritual
Academic

Ionic Lodge
No. 526

 

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.  

Ritual

Academic

Social

Ashlar Lodge No. 564
 

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.

Ritual

Structural

Social

Defenders Lodge No. 590
 

Originally founded as a lodge for returning World War I veterans, Defenders is a cosmopolitan group that embraces diversity, and honours its military
past while looking forward to an interesting and fulfilling future.

Structural
Ritual

Social

Bytown Lodge No. 721
 

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.

Social

Academic

Ritual

Luxor Daylight Lodge No. 741
 

Luxor meets during the day to cater for those
who have difficulty meeting during the evening. They usually do not conduct the First Degree, but will make exceptions!

Social

Structural

Ritual

 

Last updated: April 2019


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