ASHLAR LODGE, NO.3
AF&AM, GLBC&Y
Ashlar Lodge no. 3, is one of the nation’s oldest Freemason organizations and was founded in Nanaimo during 1865. Since that time, we have treated our history and ritual with great care and an onerous sense of respect.
ABOUT US
Formally, Ashlar Lodge No.3 under the Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon was founded on the Feast of Saint John the Evangelist, December 27, 1873. On that date, two historic lodges within the community, Nanaimo No. 1090 and Caladonia No. 478, decided to join as one under the name Ashlar.
Shortly thereafter, the Brethren of Ashlar purchased the land we now stand on and erected our first Masonic Temple. The cornerstone of which was laid on the 15th of October, 1873 and was the first cornerstone to be laid in the Province by the newly formed Grand Lodge.
50 years after such founding, our current building was constructed and its first formal meeting was held on November 2nd, 1923. Over the following 100 years, and to the present date, Ashlar has embarked on numerous conservation and restoration projects to the building. Thus, it now stands as a testament and vessel of all its original glory.
What Sets Ashlar Apart:
Freemasonry comes in many shapes and sizes and shares all the same diversity as our broader society. However, Ashlar Lodge No. 3 is set apart from the broader organization on three substantial fronts:
Our Culture
Every Freemason lodge is different. For some, the fraternal aspects take precedence over the symbolism of the Craft. At others, emphasis is placed on performing the respective degrees. Ashlar is hallmarked by our fellowship and the conservation of our tradition and Freemasonry more broadly.
Our Ritual
There are three different rituals recognized under the GLBC&Y: Emulation, Canadian, and “Ancient”. the Ancient work is inspired by the American Preston/Webb ritual. Over the past 150 years, Ashlar has remained the most vocal and diligent advocates in the preservation of the traditional, “Ancient”, Freemason ritual.
Our Regalia
Thanks to our founding Brethren, Ashlar Lodge is the only organization under the GLBC&Y that is allowed to deviate from the regular, sky-blue, standard of Masonic regalia. Instead, Ashlar inherited our royal blue colour from one of our founding Scottish chartered lodges, Caledonia No. 478.
A Culture of Preservation
and Respect.
Since our humble origin as Caledonia Lodge, the Brethren of Ashlar has always fought to preserve our tradition and the practice of the Original Craft in all its glory. For this, we are indebted to our esteemed and noble Worshipful Brother, William Stewart. As noted in the History of Grand Lodge:
W. Bro. Wm. Stewart, our good Scotsman from Prince Edward Island, made the new Lodge [Ashlar] as Scottish as possible. Not only did he give the Lodge a Scottish name, and saw to it that it used what he called “the Old Scotch work”, but he also had it copy the regalia of Lodge Canongate Kilwinning, No. 2, S.C. This was used later by Ashlar, No. 3, B.C.R. when the two little Lodges at last combined to form one Lodge in later days. Ashlar Lodge stuck doggedly to the “Scotch” work, just like Vancouver Lodge. The English Freemasons of standing had gone away, and the remaining members of the Lodge were satisfied with the American work.
THE “ANCIENT” WORK
Ashlar Lodge practices what is called the “Scottish”, “American”, or “Ancient Work”. The work is based on the Preston/Webb ritual practiced widely throughout America. Ashlar inherited this ritual from one of our founding lodges, Caledonia No. 478 — which prior to the formation of the Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon, was chartered under the Grand Lodge of Scotland. The then Brethren, and particularly Wor. Bro. William Stewart, fought hard to preserve the Scottish roots of Ashlar. As stated in the historical account of the formation of BC Grand Lodge:
The only conscientious objector [to forming the GLBC&Y] was W. Bro. Wm. Stewart of Caledonia Lodge. A letter has been found, written by him but not showing the name of the addressee, but probably to Heisterman. There was, to him, only one way in which the work of a Masonic Lodge could be carried on, the work which he called “The Old Scotch Work” being that now carried on in Ashlar Lodge, No. 3. He was suspicious of all English Freemasons; they might want to force the English ritual on the whole Fraternity; Burnaby, especially came under his ban. On June 28, 1871 he wrote as follows:
“One thing, the Ancient Work must not be molested… — we want the old work and nothing else — or we will remain the way we are at present.”
Again we are indebted to W. Bro. Stewart for a couple of flashes of light on those days. On 9th Feb. 1871, he writes to Bro. Heisterman that Caledonia Lodge has unanimously approved the resolution for the establishment of a Grand Lodge. But this alone did not entirely satisfy him. He, being a Scotsman, wanted to know if there were new fees to be paid for a charter from such Grand Lodge; if there would be any increase in the dues to be paid to it: and above all would the “Ancient” work be used and none other. (by which word we understand that he meant the work as still used in Ashlar Lodge No. 3, at Nanaimo).
History of Grand Lodge, 1871-1970, GLBC&Y, found here.
The Royal Blue Regalia
To much historical and modern contention, Ashlar Lodge No.3 is the only British Columbian — and perhaps Canadian — Lodge that wears royal blue regalia. For all other Craft Lodges in the Province, the colour of their regalia is a lighter shade of sky blue. This, again, was the result of our passionate Brother Stewart, who preserved the regalia worn in Caledonia lodge for Ashlar under the founding of the GLBC&Y and its Constitutions. Across the board, this has served as a talking point for members of Ashlar as they travel to neighbouring lodges domestically and abroad.
However, more importantly, at Ashlar Lodge this unique colour and quality serves us as a reminder of our history and the great Brothers paved the path to where we stand today.
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in the rich history of Ashlar Lodge, No 3.
Ashlar Lodge 