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Mount Hermon
Mount Hermon
Mount Hermon, which serves as our lodge's namesake, sits at 9232 ft above sea level in the Anti-Lebanon mountain range. Mount Hermon, actually a cluster of summits, has been considered a sacred place since antiquity. Dozens of ancient temples and altars from the Neolithic, Canaanite, and Greco-Roman periods are found there. During the Byzantine period it was identified with the site of Christ’s Transfiguration, and an early medieval church was built near earlier pagan sites. Near the foot of Mount Hermon is the Banias spring which itself has been considered a sacred site for thousands of years.
Mount Hermon, which serves as our lodge's namesake, sits at 9232 ft above sea level in the Anti-Lebanon mountain range. Mount Hermon, actually a cluster of summits, has been considered a sacred place since antiquity. Dozens of ancient temples and altars from the Neolithic, Canaanite, and Greco-Roman periods are found there. During the Byzantine period it was identified with the site of Christ’s Transfiguration, and an early medieval church was built near earlier pagan sites. Near the foot of Mount Hermon is the Banias spring which itself has been considered a sacred site for thousands of years.
Beginnings in Moodyville, North Vancouver
Beginnings in Moodyville, North Vancouver
In the year 1862, when British Columbia and Vancouver Island were still British colonies, a sawmill was founded on the north shore of Burrard Inlet on a site immediately west of the present Second Narrows Bridge. This sawmill was purchased in 1864 by Sewell Prescott Moody and the relationships that developed at the Mill became the catylist for the establishment of a Masonic lodge. The Grand Lodge of Scotland granted a dispensation, and on 15 January 1869, Mount Hermon Lodge, the first Masonic Lodge on the Burrard Inlet was established. Since almost all prospective members were connected with the mill, a lodge hall was built directly north of it (pictured below). The original location of the lodge is now part of the City of North Vancouver.
In the year 1862, when British Columbia and Vancouver Island were still British colonies, a sawmill was founded on the north shore of Burrard Inlet on a site immediately west of the present Second Narrows Bridge. This sawmill was purchased in 1864 by Sewell Prescott Moody and the relationships that developed at the Mill became the catylist for the establishment of a Masonic lodge. The Grand Lodge of Scotland granted a dispensation, and on 15 January 1869, Mount Hermon Lodge, the first Masonic Lodge on the Burrard Inlet was established. Since almost all prospective members were connected with the mill, a lodge hall was built directly north of it (pictured below). The original location of the lodge is now part of the City of North Vancouver.
Sewell Prescott Moody
Sewell Prescott Moody
Sewell Prescott Moody appointed Josias Charles Hughes to take charge of clerical duties for the sawmill. After Hughes settled in Moodyville, met Moody and learned that he was a Freemason, he conceived the idea of starting a Masonic lodge. Josiah Hughes was elected the first Master of Mount Hermon Lodge, and Moody was satisfied with the humble office of Inner Guard. Coote Mulloy Chambers (see photo) was also a founding member of Mount Hermon Lodge, serving as its first Secretary in 1869. Chambers went on to serve as Grand Master of British Columbia in 1881–82.
Sewell Prescott Moody appointed Josias Charles Hughes to take charge of clerical duties for the sawmill. After Hughes settled in Moodyville, met Moody and learned that he was a Freemason, he conceived the idea of starting a Masonic lodge. Josiah Hughes was elected the first Master of Mount Hermon Lodge, and Moody was satisfied with the humble office of Inner Guard. Coote Mulloy Chambers (see photo) was also a founding member of Mount Hermon Lodge, serving as its first Secretary in 1869. Chambers went on to serve as Grand Master of British Columbia in 1881–82.
Mount Hermon Lodge remained in Moodyville until 1886, when it was relocated to the south shore of the city of Vancouver. The original lodge building is no longer standing, and Moodyville too has been incorparated into the City of North Vancouver.
Mount Hermon Lodge remained in Moodyville until 1886, when it was relocated to the south shore of the city of Vancouver. The original lodge building is no longer standing, and Moodyville too has been incorparated into the City of North Vancouver.
Vancouver
Vancouver
The lodge moved to the south side of the Burrard inlet in 1886, as Vancouver began to expand and the need for a Masonic Lodge increased. After the move the lodge initially met at Keefer's Hall, which burned down in the great fire of Vancouver in June that year. After several other temporary homes, Mount Hermon Lodge leased the third floor of the Springer-Van Bramer Building at the corner of Camibe and Cordova Street in 1888. The building still stands today. In 1898 the lodge moved to the McKinnon block at the corner of Hastings and Granville Street. Desiring to have their own building rather than lease, Mount Hermon Lodge along with Cascade and Acacia Lodges, built a new Masonic hall at the corner of Seymour and Georgia Streets. In 1968 that building was sold, and after residing temporarily by Dunbar Lodge, Mount Hermon moved into the Masonic Centre at the corner of West 8th and Granville Street, where it continued to meet until moving to the Kerrisdale Masonic Hall where it continues to meet today.
The lodge moved to the south side of the Burrard inlet in 1886, as Vancouver began to expand and the need for a Masonic Lodge increased. After the move the lodge initially met at Keefer's Hall, which burned down in the great fire of Vancouver in June that year. After several other temporary homes, Mount Hermon Lodge leased the third floor of the Springer-Van Bramer Building at the corner of Camibe and Cordova Street in 1888. The building still stands today. In 1898 the lodge moved to the McKinnon block at the corner of Hastings and Granville Street. Desiring to have their own building rather than lease, Mount Hermon Lodge along with Cascade and Acacia Lodges, built a new Masonic hall at the corner of Seymour and Georgia Streets. In 1968 that building was sold, and after residing temporarily by Dunbar Lodge, Mount Hermon moved into the Masonic Centre at the corner of West 8th and Granville Street, where it continued to meet until moving to the Kerrisdale Masonic Hall where it continues to meet today.
Kerrisdale Masonic Hall
Kerrisdale Masonic Hall
The history of Mount Hermon's multiple homes is illustrative of Vancouver's development during the twentieth century. Click here to visit the website of the new Vancouver Masonic Centre.
The history of Mount Hermon's multiple homes is illustrative of Vancouver's development during the twentieth century. Click here to visit the website of the new Vancouver Masonic Centre.
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