Trepanier Lodge No. 83

Historical Sketch of Trepanier Lodge No. 83 (circa 1949)

by Wor. Bro. R. J. McDougall, PM - 1943

Trepanier, the Name

History does not relate how this Lodge came by the name Trepanier, as there is apparently no record on the minute book of early days to indicate why the choice was made; but it is a safe assumption that the Peachland Westbank Lodge took its name from the creek which flows into Okanagan Lake, a mile or so north of the Lodge building.

Then comes the natural query: "How did the creek get this name of French extraction?"

It is related by old-timers that the name "Trepanier" was originally applied to the creek south of the town; and "Deep", now carried by the southern stream, once belonged to the watercourse to the north, which certainly reaches the lake on a much less precipitate grade and, therefore lies deeply in the hills. Some time or other a switch in names was made in error.

Early maps of this part of the country refer to a large section of the mountains, west of Peachland, as the Trepange Plateau. It is reasonably evident that Trepanier and Trepanage, from their French derivation, and their somewhat common meaning, have a common application in this district.

The story of the pioneers is that, while on a bear hunting expedition from Kamloops through the Nicola and up the divide between the Nicola and the Okanagan, a fur trader performed a trepanning operation upon one of his Indian hunting companions, whose skull had been injured, perhaps by a bear, but possibly in a fall. It sounds better to say that he was hurt in an encounter with a grizzly. At any rate, the fur trader performed a crude operation with a hunting knife, lifted a portion of the man's broken skull and the injured chap lived. So great was the marvel of his recovery that the name, "trepan," a noun, meaning a small circular saw for skull operations, or the verb meaning to perform such an operation, was applied to the area, and to the stream which rose in that vicinity.

We can assume, then, that the Freemasons of Peachland, who gathered in scant but zealous numbers to form a Lodge those many years ago were inspired to name the local body after a landmark which had somewhat of an historical, or at least a romantic association, dating back to the eighties, and possibly even to the seventies (1880's or 1870's).

The First Meeting of Trepanier Lodge

The minute book says that what was described as the inaugural meeting was held on August 12th, 1913. Peachland was then a community about fifteen or sixteen years old. It dated from the time miners thought they had found pay gold in Glen Robinson, and it continued when these same miners, swelled in number by newcomers looking for California in Canada, planted fruit trees to harvest a golden crop of peaches.

The first meeting was held in a room above the old general store and which continued as a Lodge room until the construction of the present edifice. Permission for this inaugural meeting came from M.W. Bro. William Henderson, Grand Master. The District Deputy Grand Master of that day was Hamilton Lang, of Vernon. His brother, W. A. Lang, acted as Worshipful Master, and another brother, Grant Lang, a few years ago, D.D.G.M. for this District, was Senior Warden; A. Chilton was Junior Warden, and Thos. Powell was secretary. Among the names on the application to form a Lodge, in Peachland, were such old-timers of the District as Dr. William Buchanan, Alex. Miller, Octavius Pope, and A. N. Pope. It is related in the minutes that Dr. F. W. Andrew and K. S. Hogg, of Summerland, assisted at the inaugural meeting, as did also Dr. B. F. Boyce and D. W. Sutherland, of Kelowna. Truly, the infant was ushered into the Masonic world with a galaxy of godfathers.

Among the visitors at this original session was a brother of Waverley Lodge, No. 87, Saskatchewan, one Charles C. Inglis. He disappears from view in the porch book, but much more is heard of him in later Trepanier years. The new Lodge, having received authority to function, immediately became quite active. The first candidates were voted upon at the September meeting. They were B. M. Whyte, Ernest McKay, J. D. McGregor, J. Michael, and two other young aspirants, named Alex. McKay and William Coldham. Messrs. Alex. McKay, Bryson Whyte and James Michael received the Entered Apprentice Degree at that meeting.

Later that autumn, others received into the fraternity of the young Lodge were: J. S. Seaton, C. R. Somerville, B. F. Gummow, J. L. McLaughlan, and A. Town. 

These names are detailed because of their special interest. A number of newly made Freemasons of that day are still active in Trepanier, or other Lodges of the Okanagan (at the time this was written). All of them were well known in the district, and many of them made an important impress on Okanagan life.

Application for a Warrent

Application for a warrant was made in May, 1914, and on August 25th of that year, a formal dispensation was received from M.W. Bro. Stark, Grand Master. Trepanier laboured for a long time under dispensation. The whole history of the Lodge can be summed up in a few sentences: It struggled for constitution; it rebelled constantly against its original inadequate premises until it finally achieved its own home; and it carried on through one Great War into another, through years of adversity, with respect not only to finance, but also to the number of local members. Finally, it gained success in a safe financial position, but more important still, in the determination of its older members, aided by new and younger brethren, to work together for the preservation of a permanent spirit of Freemasonry in this little community of Peachland-Westbank.

First Worshipful Master

Grant Lang is noted as being the first Worshipful Master, under dispensation from the Grand Master, and he had the promise of R.W. Bro. D. W. Sutherland, of Kelowna, then D.D.G.M., that he would recommend a charter. It may be noted that two young men previously mentioned as joining in 1913, became Senior and Junior Wardens respectively in 1914. They were Alex McKay and William Coldham. Such are the opportunities for progress in a new endeavour.

The first Divine Service attended was on October 4th, 1914; and the first funeral, that of E. D. Stewart, was on December 17th, 1914. Records show that, throughout its history, Trepanier Lodge has called members to many Divine Services, and alas, also to many funerals. There were many burials which the local members could not attend, the obsequies of Peachland men who fell overseas. The district has a proud, but mournful record for the First Great War. Its enlistment percentage was exceedingly high, and its death toll inevitably followed suit.

WWI (The Great War)

The young Lodge had a hard time in the war years in keeping up its attendance, such was the drain upon it, occasioned by the call to duty. The first joint meeting was that at Summerland, in March, 1915. In December of that year, the District Deputy Grand Master, R.W. Bro. James Kirkpatrick, of Orion Lodge, Penticton, agreed to recommend a charter. He was paying an official visit to Trepanier, and, according to the porch book, was accompanied by a host of Orion brethren. It may be remarked that a trip from Penticton to Peachland, 24 miles, was much more of an undertaking then than now, but the spirit was willing.

Lodge records of that day reveal the arrival of many letters from the boys at the front and the dispatch of many parcels overseas. There was a change in the East, as a Past Master, W. Bro. Alex. Miller, took charge of the Lodge, succeeding W. Bro. Grant Lang who had joined the military forces. Here and there, throughout the pages of the 1915 porch book, it can be observed that there was lack of a quorum.

In May, 1916, the Lodge applied for a renewal of dispensation, the charter not being forthcoming. At this meeting, there were sixteen visitors from St. George's Lodge, Kelowna; other lodges were apparently helping out in the matter of attendance. 

Coming to the end of the year, we find that on December 8th, 1916, the Lodge received a cheery letter from Earnest McKay, from overseas. On January 9th, there was word of his death, "somewhere in France."

The Grand Master of that year, M.W. Bro. William Astley, visited the Lodge on April 26th, 1917, and was the first Grand Master so to do.

Off and on, in the minutes of those early years, there crops up the question of rent( reminding one quite vividly of the war-time difficulties of today, regarding rent, in most of Canada) The rent for the room above the store had started at $150.00 per year, but the Lodge wore it down to $60.00, plus light. Then it got down to $3.00 per month, then back to $5.00. There were regular complaints about the unsuitability of the premises. From June, 1918, to November of that same year, there were no meetings, due to the pressure of the fruit business, and then to an outbreak of influenza.

Strangers appeared in May, 1919, when the Women's Institute was given permission to use the Lodge premises and to provide an organ, which, doubtless proved useful to the Lodge.

In July, the Lodge was getting desperate about its uncertain status, and passed a resolution to the effect that it could not see its way clear to remain under dispensation.

In September, the writer found himself a visitor from Orion Lodge, Penticton, accompanying R.W. Bro. H. B. Morley, then D.D.G.M., later Grand Master, and W. Bro. J. W. Jackson, then Worshipful Master of Orion.

Constitution

On August 10th, 1920, the Lodge was constituted, with R.W. Bro. Morley officiating. Fifteen members were present, and forty-seven visitors. Dispensation had lasted for seven years. Truly, Jacob had laboured for Rachel.

By-laws were passed on October 12th, and on December 27th, there was a joint installation at Penticton with Orion and Summerland. Worshipful Bro. Grant Lang became W.M. again in the East. Bro. William Coldham was seated as Senior Warden, and Bro. A. McKay as Junior Warden, reversing the positions of earlier years.

Preparation came the next year of a Great War Honour Roll. There was also the burial, on May 4th, 1921, of Bro. James Michael, and on May 6th, of W. Bro. W. A. Lang, who had occupied the East at the inaugural meeting back in 1913.

New members presented themselves. They included John Percy Long, W. H. H. Moffat, Harold Miller, W. D. Miller, and W. B. Gore. The influence of new blood from Westbank began to manifest itself, and the Lodge grew out of a purely Peachland organization.

The strangers were banished when the Lodge voted 10 to 7, on January 10th, 1922, not to have the Hall used for purposes other than Masonic. However, the closeness of the vote indicated that the influence of the women was still strong somewhere.

Rent was raised by the landlord, in February, to $6.70 per month, and members were told they would have to use the back stairs. There was a church parade in June. Messrs. J. T. Long and Cudmore joined about this time. It was decided to discontinue meetings in July and August, due to Okanagan heat in the low-ceilinged Lodge room. There was another church parade on June 10th, 1923.

Rent raised its ugly head at the first meeting in 1924, but nothing much occurred. There was another church parade at 10:30 in the morning of July 6th.

Brothers Dr. Buchanan and J. Powell were commissioned to write a history of the Lodge that autumn. It may be extant, but where it is deponent knoweth not.

Divine Service was attended on December 21st, 1924.

There was considerable discussion about safeguarding the finances, and steps were taken, but what these steps were the minutes do not reveal.

M.W. Bro. the Hon. A. M. Manson, Grand Master, paid an official visit to Summerland on August 27th, and Trepanier Lodge participated in the meeting.

On September 20th, 1925, there was another church parade.

The social life of the Lodge was encouraged, in arrangements made from time to time, either for a social or a picnic, according to the season, sometimes at Peachland, or at Westbank, or with St. George's, at Kelowna.

In May, 1926, the Lodge placed $300.00 in the Savings Bank. Ventilation of the Hall was a topic for serious discussion.

The brother from Saskatchewan who had been present at the inaugural meeting in 1913, was a visitor again, on October 12th, 1928. He was C. C. Inglis, of Waverley Lodge. A long time between visits, but he became a member the following year, as he had taken up local residence.

The Grand Master, M.W. Bro. D. W. Sutherland, visited on October 22nd, 1926.

It was decided that autumn to install a home. Negotiations were opened up with the Royal Bank to purchase ground for a building, so it can be seen that the $300.00 in the Bank had some significance.

The funeral of a Lodge veteran, Bro. Thomas Powell, was held on December 26th.

The next year, on St. John's night, Trepanier installed with St. George's at Kelowna, and Bro. Dr. Buchanan ascended the East.

The funeral of the beloved member, W. Bro. Alex. Miller, was held on June 6th, 1928. He was the maker and donor of the altar now used in the Lodge.

It is to be noted that about this time, many visits were paid to the Lodge by W. Bro. S. Dairies, of Orion, and his assistance in Lodge work proved very helpful; and now again, another discussion about rent, the poor condition of the roof of the building, and the unsuitability of the back entrance.

The installation on December 27th, was at Summerland, with Summerland and Orion Lodges, but in 1930, Trepanier was again installing at home.

In 1931, a school room was examined as a possible Lodge premises. There had been a previous examination of the upper section of a packing house. In September of that year, church service was again held, that is, on the 21st of the month.

There was some discussion again about the outside staircase, towards the end of 1932, but after discussing it at several meetings, no satisfaction was obtained.

On April 11th, of the following year, the Lodge discussed the advisability of having a new building, with the members taking up debentures. That was in 1933.

On February 13th, 1934, note was taken of the fact that Dr. Buchanan was absent because of an accident, and that it was his first absence in a period of over twenty years.

Lodge members attended the 25th anniversary of Orion Lodge in 1933, and of Summerland in 1934. Trepanier itself, in a sense, became of age-21 years—in 1934. It held a picnic at Kelowna on July 10th.

Permanent Residence for the Lodge

On October 9th, a committee recommended the purchase of a building, next to the Government wharf, for Lodge premises, but nothing came of the plan. Estimates were later obtained for a new building, 22'x60'. That same month an estimate of $4,000.00 was given for a two-storey structure 30'x50', and a committee was appointed for the purpose of buying a lot. Members present promised donations totaling $385.00. Later, a more modest estimate of $1,500.00 was given for a smaller Lodge building. It can thus be seen that the Lodge was getting down to business in the matter of a new home. Report was made on February 12th, 1933, of the purchase of two lots from the municipality. Presently, building discussion became desultory, but was revived by June, 1937. In April, 1938, a committee was empowered to borrow up to $1,200.00 for a period of ten years for building purposes.

Tenders for a new building were considered on June 14th. At that time, it was decided to buy the McCall lot, the present site, for $130.00, and J. T. Long donated the funds for the purchase. The two lots previously obtained from the Municipality were allowed to revert. Construction of the new home was started, and the first meeting in it was held on September 13th, 1938, and we were in our own Lodge premises but something still remained to be done, such as: a coat of stucco on the exterior, the completion of the interior of the lower floor, more lodge furnishings, and washroom facilities on the Lodge floor; but, we had our own home, and it was free of any mortgage debt.

Here are some figures on the project. The lot cost $130.00, the building cost $2,350.93, and the interest on the mortgage during the life of the instrument was $395.65. The project was financed by a five-year mortgage for $1,500.00, now retired. There were cash contributions of 8413.00, and members took up certificates amounting to $1,500.00. These were repayable at the discretion of the Lodge, and the matter of interest, if any, was also at the Lodge's discretion. At the time the building plan was launched, the Lodge had $416.00 in savings account, and 8219.00 in current account.

Despite the expense of the undertaking, Lodge finances are today ( 1949) in a sound position, and Trepanier may well congratulate itself upon its success in this modest achievement; and, while modest it may appear in the light of larger undertakings elsewhere, it marks a real milestone in the progress of this little organization. It has meant labour and worry, perhaps some heart-burnings, but it has united the brethren in the will to do, to overcome all difficulties, raise ignorance from despair, and establish happiness in the paths of science.

May we continue on the principle of friendship and brotherly love, which guard the precincts of our temple, that nothing may enter to disturb the peaceful sanctity of that holy place.

With the ending of the Second Great War, and the return of young men from overseas, Trepanier Lodge, in common with other Masonic bodies, experienced new life and vigour. Its members who had been overseas resumed their stations in Lodge, and in consequence, much activity was experienced. Quite a number of desirable young men of the Peachland-Westbank community were received into membership; various improvements to the building, and additions to the Lodge furniture were provided; and, above all, a fine growth of fraternal feeling among a wider circle was experienced.

The Lodge has found no difficulty in financing its new building, and values, since the time of construction, in 1938, have more than doubled.

Its investment decision has been a wise one, not only financially, but also in the added interest created among the members. It has excellent tenants, including a bank, on the ground floor. The Lodge room itself has a handsome square-pattern linoleum for floor covering; and it is sufficiently provided with furniture for ordinary needs. Objectives in this department are new seats for the officers 'entrance pillars, and also there is needed ,an extension for the Lodge room to the west, in order to provide a more suitable preparation room.

Lodge members have noted with pleasure that one of their number, Worshipful Brother W. H. H. Moffat, of Westbank, was named District Deputy Grand Master for this District, No. 10, for the year.

1950 - Present

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