Masonry is a part of the fabric of the Battlefords. Two Lodges were formed by the early settlers moving to the area. Battle Lodge #19 was formed in the late 1800s in Battleford and, in North Battleford, the Ionic Lodge #31 in 1906. In recent years the two lodges were amalgamated.
In 1906 Ionic Lodge meetings were held in Victoria Hall (later the location of Victory Motors, now 1192-100th St.), and in 1913 moving to the Empire Hall. Then in the 1940s they met in the Odd Fellows Hall, which was located in the Dominion Fruit Warehouse at the corner of Edward St. and 1st Ave (presently 102nd St. and 11th Ave.). When the I.O.O.F built a new hall at 1392 Main St. (100th), the Masons continued to rent from them.
It had been suggested that the Lodge build their own building, so in 1960, when Jack Greenwood was Worshipful Master he appointed a building committee made up of Bill Lloyd, Al Granger and Les Guthrie, later also appointing Jake Schroeder and Bert Prafke to the committee. Greenwood instructed the committee to report back with a feasibility report.
The committee toured the new Masonic Hall in Brittannia Lodge #23 in Lloydminster who offered their plans and discussed costs of the project. The feasibility report was presented at the next meeting and after much debate a motion was passed to erect a new building. The committee was given the responsibility of getting the building built.
The Ionic Temple Co. was formed with Bill Lloyd president; Les Guthrie vice-president; Jake Schraeder and Bert Prafke directors. Cec Davis C.A., was the auditor and in charge of all monetary transactions. Thus began the campaign to sell $100 shares. Three lots on 92nd St. were bought: one for the building, one for parking and one that could be sold in the future if necessary for monetary reasons, which eventually came about. A.F (Al) Macdonald, the most senior Past Master, turned the sod May 30. It was incorporated Feb 17, 1961.
Art Girling, superintendent of Miners Construction, got the contract to erect the building. The workers were some of his staff and volunteers. He also lent his top foreman, Ren Miller, and his top carpenter. The heating and plumbing was awarded to Laborde Plumbing and Heating. While excavating the basement alkali was found, so they had to use calrete instead of concrete. They used weeping tile when they hit a spring. All this added to the cost. The basement was excavated deep enough so apartment sized windows could be legally installed. A suite for a live-in-janitor was connected to the kitchen. This suite had its own bathroom, now a library, named after Bro. J.R. Chisholm, 1st Worshipful Master of Ionic Lodge, and also used by the Battlefords Shrine Club.
Carpet was installed in the main floor, which was recommended as it would be quieter than tile. Alex Smith offered to order and install it at his cost. New furniture was donated by members. Jack Marshall had closed the Empress Theatre. He offered the theatre seats that were needed and showed members how to take the seats apart and reassemble them. The Corner Stone was laid Oct. 26, 1961 by Grand Lodge Officers. By this time the building was almost completed. Only the basement was left unfinished.
In November the building committee, after doing a fabulous job, met with the board of directors and appointed an executive to take over the administration of the Temple Company. The December meeting was held in the new Hall.
Of interest are some of the projects they organized to raise money to pay off the mortgage: a $100-a- month Club; renting the janitor's suite to Ducks Unlimited for their office; raffling a Honda motorbike donated by Harry Bondar; and renting the basement to the United Commercial Travelers to hold bingos. When the U.C.T. left, the Lodge ran their own bingos for several years. With hard work, fellowship and lots of luck, the mortgage was burned Jan 18, 1977, and a banquet was held to celebrate.
Over the years the members have maintained and improved the Temple. The basement has hosted many gatherings, teas, lunches and banquets. On the main floor many pictures and plaques can be seen. In the anteroom you see the pictures of the Past Worthy Matrons and Past Patrons of North Battleford Chapter No.2 Order Of The Eastern Star and Past Honoured Queens of Job's Daughters No.6. In the lodge room, photos of the Past Masters of the Ionic Lodge grace the walls along with the photos of five Past Grand Masters of Saskatchewan A.F. & A.M., members of Ionic Lodge.
Friends and families joined with Ionic members on May 14, 2011, to help them celebrate the 50th birthday of the Temple. We enjoyed a steak or lobster meal and had a lovely time. What sticks out most in my mind was the address given by the guest speaker Les Guthrie, Past Master of Ionic Lodge and only surviving member of the building committee. He did an admirable job and he kindly loaned me his speech so I could use it to let others know of some of the history behind that impressive building at 1482-92nd Street.
Submitted by Leola Macdonald, member of the North Battleford Historic Archives Committee
