Masonic Cornerstone

            The corner stone of the new Masonic Temple was laid last Monday morning between 11 and 1 o’clock, and set aside from members of the order present from various points in the district. M.W.P.G. M.  J. H. Schofield, Acting Grandmaster, M.P.P. and A.S. Goodeve, M.P., Acting Deputy Grand Master, were in charge of the ceremonies. The people of Cranbrook were pleased to have these two gentlemen present on an occasion of this kind; they are well known here and have many friends. Mr. Goodeve’s cognized as one of the best orators in Canada and in his talk in regard to the origin of Masonry he gave those present the history of the order in a most eloquent manner. Perhaps there is not a man in western Canada better fitted to speak at a time like this and the Masons of Cranbrook were fortunate in having Mr. Goodeve present at this time. Mr. Shofield is a member of the local house and is a gentleman who has many friends throughout the province and the people of Cranbrook were pleased to have him here at assist in the ceremony.

            The following is the official report sent to the Grand Secretary at Victoria B.C. by Acting Grand Secretary E. Elwell, of this city:

            As Acting Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge, formed for the purpose of laying the foundation stone of the Masonic Temple in this city. I beg to make the following report to you.

            Grand lodge was opened on October 25^th, 1909, in the Lodge room of Cranbrook

Lodge No. 34 the following officers being in attendance, together with 70 brethren from the various lodges in the neighborhood:

The Grand Master- M.W.P.G.M. J.H. Schofield

The Deputy Grand Master W.Bro. A.S. Goodeve

The Senior Grand Warden W. Bro. J.D. McBride

The Junior Grand Warden W. Bro. M.A. Beale

The Grand Chaplain W. Bro. S. H. Hoskins

The Grand Sup. Of Works W. Bro. R. McNab

The Grand Director of Ceremonies Bro. W. F. Attridge

The Grand Treasure W. Br. W. H. Wilson

The Grand Secretary W. Bro. E. Elwell

The Grand Pursuivant W. Bro. C. H. Allison

The Grand Steward W. Bro. G. T. Rogers

The Grand Steward W. Bro. H. Chapman

The Grand Deacons W. Bro. A Shankland

The Grand Deacons. W. Bro C.H. Abbott

The P.M. with the three lights – W. Bro J. Birtch

The P.M. with the book of constitution W. Bro. B. T. McGregor

The Grand Tyler Bro. P. Coe

            The procession formed at 11:30 am headed bony the Cranbrook band and marched to the site of the new temple, where a very impressive ceremony was performed by M. W. Bro. Schofield and his assistant W. Bro. A. S. Goodeve. The foundation stone was lowered into its resting place after the following contents were placed in the casket:

The “Moyie Leader,” dated April 1898, and the October 1909 Grand Lodge proceedings 1909.

The “Prospector” dated July, 1895 and October, 1909.

The Cranbrook Herald, “dated October 21, 1909

Silver coins of Edward VII, dated 1908, 50c, 25c, 10c (1907) 10c (1909) and 5c 1907.

By – Laws

Constitution

            After the conclusion of the ceremony, the procession marched back to the lodge room, where the Grand Lodge was closed in form.

            A very hearty vote of thanks was tendered to W. Bro. Schofield and Goodeve for their kindness in coming over to perform this important function.

            Trusting this info will be to your satisfaction and with fraternal greeting

            Yours faithfully and fraternally Acting Grand Secretary.