Cornerstone Lodge #19
              History

High River Times Nov.28/1905

For many months past, a number of Masonic brethren who inhabit this town , and
are enthusiastic in the cause have been endeavouring to institute a Lodge in High River .
After patient work arrangements were made complete, and on  Tuesday enening last, D.D.G.M.  J.T.Macdonald  of Calgary accompanied by a number of brethren,
instituted a new Masonic Lodge , the first one formed in the new Province of Alberta. This fact suggested the very appropriate name which it bears  Cornerstone
Lodge A.F.&A.M.
The evening train was late on that date, which prolonged the session somewhat.
The meeting place of the Masons will be above  Gilles and Richardson's store and will make most cosy and commodious quarters for members of this select society.
Organization was effected with the officers. WM. Percy Taylor  SW. W.C.Laycock
JW. Mr.Gould  Treasurer, WP Walker  Secretary Charles Clark  Chaplin Rev.Howcroft  SD. HE.Bedingfield  JD. WB.Thorne  Tyler W.T.Baird ,who will control the destinies of Cornerstone Lodge for the ensuing year.
After the interesting ceremony of forming a Lodge was over, the Grand Master and his associates from Calgary , and the local Brethren adjourned to the Astoria Hotel
where a banquet was tendered  the Calgary contingent by the local Craftsmen.
W.C. Armstrong was Toastmaster and, after proposing the toast to the King, he
coupled J.T.Macdonald's name  with the toast to Grand Lodge, In response  Mr. Macdonald  put into expression some noble ideas with respect to Masonary and impressed upon the members of the new Lodge the necessity of and practising the principles as enunciated in the Masonic Order. Mr.Barwis followed with a college song ,the chorus of which was throated by about thirty lusty lunged Masons.
The Sister's Lodge was championed by Messrs. Stuart,Winne,Blair, and Pattison ,
who spoke interestingly on the subject. The Brethren that carried the Hod ,had for its sponsors  Messrs. Walker,Thorne and Baird.They referred to the pleasure it afforded them to meet on such an occasion, for ever  since their arrival in High River  they had hoped to have a lodge started, and the favourable auspices under which Cornerstone Lodge was opened was gratifying to them.
Messrs. Taylor,Gould ,Bedingfield  and Rev. Howcroft replied to the toast "Cornerstone Lodge" after which Mr. Connacher  proposed the Jonior Wardens toast, HAPPY TO MEET, SORRY TO PART, HAPPY TO MEET AGAIN. which brought the happy event to a conclusion.
Cornerstone Lodge remained over the Gilles and Richardson's store until 1964 , at which time a new Lodge was built at 306 4th ST.SE.
The First Master of Cornerstone Lodge in the new Building was Wor. Bro. Dan
Hitchner . To date (April 18 2000) there have been 655 members to sign our By-laws , through Initiation's and Affiliation's, and on November 28/2001 We will be celebrating our 100 th. Anniversary.

                                                       Wor.Bro.Murray Hay
                                                       Secretary/ Treasurer