As published in the Revelstoke Mountaineer, Revelstoke Review and Revelstoke Current.
Look above Kids on Main next time you’re on Mackenzie Avenue and you’ll see the insignia of the Freemasons, a group steeped in history dating back to 1891 in Revelstoke.
This organization, one of the oldest in the world, does its good deeds here quietly. Most recently local district #9 donated $2,546 and about 300 pounds of food to the Revelstoke Women’s Shelter Society.
The fraternal group chose the women’s cause as a worthy non-profit. “We donate where we feel it’s required,” said Cyrille Marcil, WM (worshipful master) of Kootenay Lodge (Revelstoke).
The local Freemasons group raises money within their membership and last year donated $15,000 to Revelstoke’s Queen Victoria Hospital for a dental cart.
Some of Revelstoke’s early mayors were Freemasons and Marcil said the emphasis of the group is on looking out for each other.
“It’s a way of life,” he said. “To make good men better, be charitable and treat others with respect. We always put the family first, then your work and then the masonic organization.