650 Fisgard Street, Victoria Masonic Temple – Masonic History of Victoria, British Columbia

BUILDINGS ASSOCIATED WITH FREEMASONS IN GREATER VICTORIA

The Victoria Masonic Temple at 650 Fisgard Street was originally built in 1878 for the two Masonic Lodges in Victoria at the time (Victoria-Columbia Lodge, No.1 and Vancouver & Quadra Lodge, No.2) by architect John Teague, a member of Victoria’s oldest Masonic Lodge, Victoria-Columbia Lodge, No.1.

It has been owned by Victoria’s Freemasons since 1878.

The Victoria Masonic Temple was formally recognized by the Canadian Register of Historic Places in 1995 and listed in 2005.

The Victoria Masonic Temple, 650 Fisgard Street, was designed by architect John Teague and built in 1878. A significant addition was built on the west side of the building in 1909. [photo: Mark Anderson]

Here is map showing the location of the Victoria Masonic Temple, 650 Fisgard Street:

Here is a Google Street View image of the Victoria Masonic Temple, 650 Fisgard Street:

In 1909 a major addition was undertaken to the west end the building. The building permit for these additions, issued by the City of Victoria in May 1909, describes a “three storey, brick and stone building, 6 rooms” with an estimated construction cost of $15,000. Work on the addition was started in July 1909 by contractors Dinsdale & Malcolm and completed in December 1909.

We have not been able to confirm which architect designed the 1909 addition.

1901 architect's drawing of the south elevation of the Victoria Masonic Temple, 650 Fisgard Street, showing the original 1878 building *right) with the 1909 addition (left) — 1901 architect’s drawing of the south elevation of the Victoria Masonic Temple, 650 Fisgard Street, showing the original 1878 building designed by John Teague (right) with the 1909 addition (left)

The new additions were dedicated in a Masonic ceremony on 14 December 1909, attended by over 400 Freemasons.

Here are links to some historic photos of the Victoria Masonic Temple:

BC Archives photo F-07566 – Laying the Corner Stone of the Masonic Temple, 23 April 1878
City of Victoria Archives photo M07645 – 1914
City of Victoria Archives photo M00035 – Douglas Street, 1920
BC Archives photo H-04268 – Fisgard Street, 1971
BC Archives photo H-04269 – Douglas Street, 1971

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