About

Bytown Lodge is a Cornerstone-designated Lodge in Ottawa District 2 that belongs to the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario, within the global brotherhood of Freemasonry.

Who we are

Bytown Lodge is a group of men united by our commitment to practicing the virtues of fraternal love, charity and truth. We call ourselves “The Friendly Lodge” because it captures the fun and fellowship we enjoy when we get together.

Our lodge meets regularly, in the evening on every third Thursday of the month, from September to May, at the Westboro Masonic Hall (430 Churchill Avenue North, Ottawa).

We take pride in creating a warm and welcoming environment for one another and visitors alike, and encourage Brother Masons and others who are curious about Freemasonry to plan a visit by getting in touch with our Secretary.

Get to know our leader

I have lived in the Ottawa area my entire life. I currently live in Ottawa’s west end with my wife and children.

I spent over a decade working for Bell Canada in their High-Speed Centre. I currently work as a Senior Manager for a SaaS company, for whom I have worked for over 14 years.

Some of my hobbies include PC gaming, Maine Coon cats, Ottawa Senators Hockey and Miami Dolphins Football.

I was exposed to Masonry at a young age. I was a very active member of Ottawa Chapter, Order of DeMolay. DeMolay is a fraternal youth group for young men between the ages of 12-21.

I served Ottawa Chapter as Master Councillor, and was Provincial Master Councillor for the jurisdiction.

Through my involvement in DeMolay, I met many great Masons, some of whom I am still very close friends with to this day. These relationships made me curious about Masonry, and kick started my Masonic journey.

I have now been a Mason for over 20 years. Being a member of this fraternity has been very fulfilling to me. I have formed many lifelong friendships, and am very appreciative to have Masonry in my life.

If you are interested in Masonry, or would like to meet the members of Bytown Lodge, please be sure to reach out. Bytown calls itself “The Friendly Lodge”, and it’s not just a clever name, it is something that is truly present whenever we get together.

Sincerely and Fraternally,

V.W. Jeff Hawkins
Worshipful Master
Bytown Lodge # 721

 

Our membership

While many of our members serve or have served in the Canadian Forces, the brethren of Bytown Lodge represent a diverse range of backgrounds. Members have the opportunity to take on various leadership roles, like planning lodge events, sitting on various committees or taking on other duties based on their specific skill set or experience they bring to the Lodge.

Note: The following lists are updated annually. To communicate with a member, please contact our Secretary.

Elected and appointed officers

Worshipful Master: V.W. Bro. Jeff Hawkins
Immediate Past Master: W. Bro. Jean-François Legault
Senior Warden: Bro. Peter Ruttan
Junior Warden: Bro. Jon Orazietti
Chaplain: W. Bro. Ernest Nelson
Treasurer: W.Bro. Scott Macdonald
Secretary: W.Bro. Brodie Fraser
Senior Deacon: Bro. Howard Schwartz
Junior Deacon: Bro. Colin Boche
Director of Ceremonies: Bro. Cameron Arnot
Inner Guard: Colin Bosche
Senior Steward: TBD
Junior Steward: Bro. Peter Merry
Tyler: Bro. Sandy Mackie
Historian: Vacant

 

Our history

Bytown Lodge was founded in 1969 when a group of masons and members of the armed forces were posted home to Canada. Most had served in the Air Force in France and Germany, and then became stationed in Ottawa at the Rockcliffe Air Base.

With the goal of discussing their masonic future, Brothers Joe Johnston and Jim Heffel led the friendly group in a gathering somewhat akin to a Lodge meeting, rumoured to have taken place in someone’s basement—or possibly a recreation hall on the base. Not long after, the group applied to Grand Lodge for dispensation with the help of Acacia Lodge. The authorization was granted on October 11, 1969, launching the Bytown Lodge no. 721—a name that paid homage to British military engineer and founder of the City of Ottawa, Colonel John By.

On October 16, 1969, the first meeting was held at the Churchill Avenue Masonic Temple on the third Thursday of the month, a schedule that is maintained to this day. It was a packed house, led by Past District Deputy Grand Master Colin Lillico, who became the first Master of Bytown Lodge. Thirty-nine members were in attendance, rounded out by past Grand Lodge Officers from other lodges in the Ottawa district.

We are defined by the spirit of friendship upon which our Lodge was founded back in 1969, and honour that tradition through our practice of community-building. Hundreds of brethren of all creeds and backgrounds have been admitted to Bytown Lodge throughout our history, including two Grand Masters, five District Deputy Grand Masters, six Very Worshipful Brethren and one William Mercer Wilson Medal recipient.