Exchange District in Winnipeg, Manitoba — Canada’s Prairie Region (North America)

Northern Light Lodge

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 16, 2022

1. Northern Light Lodge Marker

Inscription. Near this spot
on the 8th of November
1864
was instituted “Northern Light Lodge”
the first Masonic Lodge in
the Red River settlement.
The officers were
John Schultz • Worshipful Master
A.G.B. Bannatyne • Warden
William Inkster • Warden

This tablet was erected by
The Grand Lodge of Manitoba, A.F. & A.M.
to commemorate that event
1925

Erected 1925 by The Grand Lodge of Manitoba, A.F. & A.M.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is November 8, 1864.

Location. 49° 53.787′ N, 97° 8.298′ W. Marker is in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is in the Exchange District. It is on Lombard Avenue just east of Main Street (Provincial Route 52), on the right when traveling west. Marker is mounted at eye-level near the west end of the south facade of the Union Tower Building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 191 Lombard Avenue, Winnipeg MB R3B 0X1, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Manitoba’s Historic Winnipeg.

It is also in the Prairies.

Globally, it is in North America,

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the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Union Tower (here, next to this marker); The Great-West Life Building / L’édifice de la Great-West (within shouting distance of this marker); Bank of Hamilton (within shouting distance of this marker); Robert Atkinson Davis (within shouting distance of this marker); Early Skyscrapers in Winnipeg / Les gratte-ciel de Winnipeg (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Rowand Block / Canada Life Building (about 180 meters away); Imperial Bank of Canada (about 180 meters away); Whitla Building (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winnipeg.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. Freemasonry in Manitoba: the Northern Light Lodge.

Among the founding members of this Lodge were John Schultz, who was later to become Lieutenant Governor of the Province
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 16, 2022

2. Northern Light Lodge Marker
of Manitoba, A.G.B. Bannatyne, a prominent merchant, and William Inkster. The formation of this Lodge was the beginning of organized Freemasonry in the Red River Settlement and, ultimately, in the prairie provinces of Canada. Today approximately 2,075 Members of the Craft meet in the 43 Lodges spread out throughout Manitoba to practice their ancient ritual, study the symbolic meaning and history of the Craft, and determine ways or means to improve themselves, and contribute to their community.

(Submitted on January 31, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Organized Freemasonry in the Red River Valley.

Organized Freemasonry came to the Red River Valley in November 1864, over five years before Manitoba became a province and over two years before Canada became a nation. Initially the “Northern Light Lodge” was a branch of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota, with John C. Schultz (protagonist to Louis Riel and later Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba) as Worshipful Master and A.G.B. Bannatyne and William Inkster as Wardens. In 1866, the lodge received its own charter from the Grand Lodge of Minnesota as No. 68. In
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 16, 2022

3. Union Tower (south elevation)
(marker is on second column from the left)
May 1875, the Grand Lodge of Manitoba, the governing body for all other lodges in the province, received its charter.

(Submitted on January 31, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 213 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 31, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.