Thistle Masonic Lodge No. 34 to celebrate its 175th anniversary

Pictured is a recent degree ceremony at Thistle Masonic Lodge No. 34. Masons from as far as London came to participate. The Murray St. lodge is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year.

2024 is a milestone year for Thistle Masonic Lodge No. 34.

The lodge, which is based out of their Murray St. building, will be celebrating its 175th anniversary in mid-August. Worshipful Master Steven Atkinson said they will be celebrating their milestone with other Masons from the region and surrounding areas including lodges from Detroit and Toledo.

“We’re going to invite some of the lodges that helped found our lodge,” he explained. “We’re going to make it a cross-border celebration.”

While events to mark the Masonic Lodge’s 175th anniversary will largely be internal this year, Atkinson said they might have some events involving the community in 2025.

“We might do some public events next year,” said Atkinson. “It’s been a slow build back after COVID.”

The last major anniversary celebrated in Amherstburg was the 150th anniversary, when the Thistle Masonic Lodge No. 34 donated the gazebo in King’s Navy Yard Park to the town.

Atkinson explained it’s not a service club but a fraternity. They still try to help the community where they can, noting past initiatives were a bicycle helmet giveaway for Grade 1 students in partnership with Amherstburg police and Canadian Tire. They also have made donations to causes and individuals over the years. Historically, Masons in Ontario formerly funded hearing tests for babies until that was taken over by the Ministry of Health, he said. A Masonic Lodge in Detroit helped with the founding of the University of Michigan, he added.

There are also other organizations under the Mason umbrella, he indicated, such as the Order of the Eastern Star for women and youth organizations such as DeMolay for boys and Rainbow Girls. Atkinson said the Masons have been more open about their organization in recent years. There are lodges across the county and multiple lodges in Windsor, he added. Windsor-Essex County is considered one district, he noted.

Installation ceremonies are usually conducted in December, Atkinson added.

Thistle Masonic Lodge No. 34 to celebrate its 175th anniversary

By Ron Giofu