Ancient Brethren Masonic Lodge o

On June 21 hundreds of masons gathered at Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg Ontario to witness the ancient cornerstone laying ceremony which marked the official opening of Ancient Brethren Masonic Lodge. Throughout the morning masons from all over North America arrived and registered after which they were free to stroll the village . The parade began at 2:00pm led by the pipes and drums of the South Glengarry Pipe Band with more than 500 masons participating. The parade which was estimated to be over half a kilometer long wound it's way through the village until it reached the Lodge where a tripod was set up holding the cornerstone. After a few opening words from project coordinator R.W. Bro. Wes Libbey The Grand Master, M.W. Bro. Allan J. Petrisor addressed the assembly and gave some background into the origins of the ceremony. The cornerstone was then laid and anointed according to ancient custom.

The ceremony was followed by a lemonade social on the lawn in front of the lodge followed by a church service presided over by R.W Bro Rev John Moor and V.W. Bro. Rev Gary Stokes.

This quotation from our Deputy Grand Master, R.W. Raymond S. J. Daniels, says it all:

"The presence of Freemasonry on this major tourist site in North America will provide a wide open window on the world of Freemasonry to the thousands of visitors that pass through the Village every year. It is an unparalleled opportunity to show Freemasonry to the public."

Please click here for a selection of candid photos in no particular order which I hope that you will find interesting. More will be added as they are received.

Read more about the Upper Canada Lodge Project