Making good men better: a look at the Masonic Brotherhood in Revelstoke
Written by Melissa Jamieson for the Revelstoke Mountaineer.
Popular books and movies may have you believing the Masonic Brotherhood is steeped in conspiracy and secrets. Speak to the members themselves, however, and the purpose of the organization becomes much simpler: to make good men better.
Freemasonry is a fraternal organization with roots tracing back centuries to guilds of stonemasons. Its more modern iteration began in the 18th century. In Revelstoke, the lodge formally known as Kootenay Lodge No. 15, came into existence in 1891. The first lodge meeting was held May 18, 1891, with J. Hamilton, W. Jowett, R. Howson, H. Creelman, D. Robinson and H.J. Bourne present as the first members.
Recently, the Revelstoke Mountaineer chatted with three current members of Kootenay Lodge No. 15, Josh McLafferty, Garry Resvick and Cyrille Marcil. McLafferty is a third-generation Mason and has been involved for 10 years. Resvick has been a member of the lodge for 30 years, and Marcil for 42 years.
Almost immediately, the men are eager to talk about the philanthropic efforts of the lodge. Philanthropy is one of the three pillars of Freemasonry, the other two being brotherhood and maintaining the historic rituals of the organization.
Marcil estimates the lodge donates close to $20,000 to local causes each year.
“Most people probably don’t realize it, but we make donations here and there,” he said. “It’s a big part of what we do.”
Locally, donations include contributing funds for the purchase of a fetal heart monitor and dental cart for Queen Victoria Hospital, as well as to the food bank and for the medical drivers’ program, which helps people without transportation get to out-of-town medical appointments. If an individual needs help, the Masons will try and help with that too. They also donate to regional causes like JoeAnna’s House in Kelowna, which provides accommodation for out-of-town families with loved ones receiving care at Kelowna General Hospital.
“When they’re doing a fundraiser and they need help we always want to try and help, especially the hospital and for kids,” McLafferty said. “We have a bursary program through the high school.”
Funds for philanthropic efforts are raised through annual dues, and from rent the lodge collects. In the 1950s, the lodge purchased a building on Mackenzie Street. Lodge meetings take place on the upper floor, and the lower building currently houses three local businesses.
Lodge provides a place to build friendships and camaraderie
Discussions about men’s mental health have become more prominent over the last decade, and the Masons, like other fraternal brotherhoods throughout history, are a place for men to gather and build camaraderie and friendships.
“It’s trying to help men,” McLafferty said. “By no means am I going to say, ‘oh, the poor old white guys’, but men’s mental health and emotional wellbeing is incredibly important. It gives all of us a place where we can talk.”
Masons have a rule that there is no discussion of politics or religion in the lodge. It is believed that those two topics cause division. While there is a requirement to believe in a supreme being, it doesn’t need to be any specific deity affiliated with any specific religion.
“The way it was explained to me, is it’s a way to show you aren’t the centre of your own universe in this world,” said McLafferty. “It’s just about having a belief in something besides yourself.”
It’s the ritual aspect of the Masonic brotherhood – the ceremonial components taking place behind closed doors for members only – that perhaps perpetuate the long-running conspiracies. Yet, it’s these rituals that help maintain the original principles of the organization. Told through allegory, they are intended to help the men lead better lives.
Prior to joining McLafferty recalls being at his grandfather’s funeral, where more than 200 men all wore a red fez with the tassel, making them instantly recognizable as Shriners. “I never knew what it was,” McLafferty said. “It was such a secret organization back then that even your parents didn’t talk about it or tell you about it. It was just kept very, very hush-hush and now we’re able to kind of talk about it a bit more publicly.”
It’s also the ritual that helps cement everything together according to ResvickElements like putting on the apron – essentially dressing the same — are intended to create equality among members of the lodge he explained.
“Everybody is equal, whether they’re a doctor or a dishwasher,” he said.
Kootenay Lodge No. 15 is currently welcoming new members. The lodge meets eight times per year, with the option to participate in other social activities, such as visiting other lodges. Men 18 years and older who are interested in learning more can email revelstoke15@gmail.com.