Masonic Temple may be shut by high tax bill
Property now valued at more than $8M, taxes heading toward $150,000 a year
An iconic piece of Calgary’s history is in serious jeopardy, as the century-old Freemasons Hall faces rising property taxes and possible closure of its Masonic Temple.
Built in 1928, the impressive brick and stone-covered building in the Beltline has seen nearly 100 years of meetings, events and secret rituals that pay homage to the ancient fraternity of Freemasons.
The mysteries and secrets of the Freemasons date back as far as the 1300s. Today, the local lodges focus on charity work, education and self-improvement of its membership.
But with their property now valued at more than $8 million, Calgary’s Freemasons are facing city taxes as high as $120,000 this year, with an expectation the number will rise to $150,000 by next year.
“We’ve been here for nearly a century, and it’s our obligation to preserve that history for future generations,” said Ilya Raykhlin, Master Mason of the local Bow River Lodge of Freemasons and organizer of the annual Freemasons Day.
“But our taxes here have become unmanageable.”
Coun. Jeromy Farkas, who has advocated for lower property taxes since he was elected to council last fall, said the Freemasons Hall is yet another example of a commercial property tax burden that is spiralling out of control.
“It would be such a shame to have a historic building like this replaced by another highrise,” Farkas said.
“This is another key organization that is being overburdened by rising taxes, an important part of our city’s can-do history.”
Farkas says he wants to work closely with the Freemasons to see what their options are in terms of a tax exemption.
One possibility, he explained, would be to change their designation from Masonic Temple to Masonic Museum.
But Raykhlin said that could introduce a whole new set of administrative and financial challenges.
“It means we have to hire a tour guide, a security guard, and handle all the administration connected with actually being a museum.”
Raykhlin added that because the Freemasons Hall is open to the public, they welcome local groups to rent their impressive halls and meeting rooms for private events.
Right now, only half of the days in each month are booked with Mason-related events and any additional rental revenue is welcome.
Within the century-old temple are two ornate meeting halls, decorated with art-deco checkerboard tiling, velvet-covered chairs, and one with a theatrical stage used for ritual ceremonies and rites of passage for members.
Above the main-floor hall is a massive pipe organ, dating to 1910, which would have to be destroyed if the Masons are forced to move.
“You can’t just a move a piece like this,” Raykhlin said, pointing to the colourfully painted pipes built into an upper wall.
“If we are forced to leave, the organ would be gone, too.”
Downstairs is a large dining hall and liquor services, often used for weddings and other private dinner functions.
Calgary’s legacy of Freemasonry began shortly after 1905, when a Grand Lodge of Alberta was constituted, followed by several Calgary Masonic lodges, along with the construction of the downtown temple in 1928.
Calgary’s Masonic lodges became extremely popular venues for men to meet socially, regardless of their political leaning or religious affiliation, to share a common moral vision of the world and a common goal toward selfimprovement.
Today, there are also local Masonic divisions for women and young children.
Masons have played an integral role in shaping Calgary’s history, including Sam Livingston, an early pioneer of our city and George Murdoch, Calgary’s first mayor. Several other mayors after him were also Masons, as well as Peter Lougheed, former premier of Alberta, and Richard Bennett, Canada’s 11th prime minister.
“Calgary’s Freemasons Hall is a building of unique character and history that has served as a meeting place for Calgary Freemasons and other community groups for over a century and continues to provide historical character to the ever-changing Beltline,” said Brian Shantz, president of the Calgary Masonic Temple.
“While the benefits of Freemasonry are unique to every individual Mason, Freemasonry provides a tremendous opportunity for education and growth in all aspects of life, and the opportunity to meet and socialize with welcoming individuals of impeccable character.”
Annual Freemasons Day is June 24. Members of the public are welcome to tour the building at 330 12th Avenue S.W.