Guelph, Ontario - On Saturday, the Masonic Temple on Chapel Lane participated in Doors Open Guelph, offering the public a rare glimpse into the enigmatic world of Freemasonry. Despite the centuries-old mystique surrounding the fraternity, the Masons aimed to dispel misconceptions and shed light on their organization.
Mason Rob Gray of Waverly Lodge 361 humorously remarked, "There's a bit of a joke. If you think Masons rule the world, you should see them try to put together a barbecue. We're not that much of a threat."
The Masonic presence in Guelph dates back to 1849, with the current temple, built in 1860, becoming the new Masonic Centre in 1914. The limestone building underwent a $1 million renovation in 2000, modernizing the facilities while preserving its historical charm. Today, Guelph is home to around 350 Masons across six local lodges.
Visitors were treated to tours of the temple's notable rooms, including the red room, used for plays, and the blue room, used for general meetings. The blue room features ornamental carpet designed by a Mason and manufactured in Guelph, as well as antique wooden furniture from the old lodgings on Wyndham Street.
Central to the Masonic journey are the degrees, each representing a moral lesson. Masons progress through three groupings: the Lodge of Perfection, the Chapter of Rose Croix, and the Consistory. Degrees are earned by witnessing or participating in morality plays, which can involve costumes, blindfolds, and symbolic props.
Many prominent Guelphites have been Masons, including Colonel David McCrae, Alexander Petrie, James Goldie, William Tytler, Garnet Johnston (creator of the Yukon Gold potato), and George Drew, a former mayor of Guelph, premier of Ontario, and leader of the Progressive Conservative Party.
As Mason Gary Stewart of Wilmot Lodge 318 noted, "Freemasonry didn't produce these (men), but each of them believed that their involvement in their lodge was meaningful and worthwhile."
The Masonic Temple's participation in Doors Open Guelph provided a unique opportunity for the public to learn about the fraternity's history, traditions, and the role it has played in the lives of notable Guelph figures.
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