By Emily Kemp
Look above Kids on Main next time you’re on Mackenzie Avenue and you’ll see the insignia of the Freemasons, a group steeped in history dating back to 1891 in Revelstoke.
This organization, one of the oldest in the world, does its good deeds here quietly. Most recently local district #9 donated $2,546 and about 300 pounds of food to the Revelstoke Women’s Shelter Society.
The fraternal group chose the women’s cause as a worthy non-profit. “We donate where we feel it’s required,” said Cyrille Marcil, WM (worshipful master) of Kootenay Lodge (Revelstoke).
The local Freemasons group raises money within their membership and last year donated $15,000 to Revelstoke’s Queen Victoria Hospital for a dental cart.
Some of Revelstoke’s early mayors were Freemasons and Marcil said the emphasis of the group is on looking out for each other.
“It’s a way of life,” he said. “To make good men better, be charitable and treat others with respect. We always put the family first, then your work and then the masonic organisation.”
Revelstoke is one of eight lodges in the North Okanagan District 9. They meet for eight months of the year and men over the age of 21 can join. Email Cyrille at revelstoke15@gmail.com to find out more.
(From left) Freemasons Francis Latter and Eric Erickson, Revelstoke Women’s Shelter executive director Lynn Loeppky and Freemason Cyrille Marcil. Photo: Bill Gill.
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