By Phil Egan for The Sarnia Journal
(2016) The years from 1860 to 1920 were known as the “golden age of fraternalism.”
Like most cities in Canada and the United States, Sarnia was replete with fraternal organizations.
The Royal Arch Masons describe themselves as being “the heart, root, backbone and marrow of Freemasonry.” The Wawanosh chapter of Royal Arch Masons was established in Sarnia on Oct. 12, 1859, making it the oldest fraternal organization in the city. Sarnia founder Malcolm Cameron was one of thirteen founding members.
Inspired by the Greek story of Damon and Pythias, Sarnia’s Johnston Lodge No. 46 of the Knights of Pythias was part of this organization, which still exists today. Early in the group’s history, when a man was inducted into the Knights, he received a ceremonial sword. Most swords were inscribed “FCB”, which stands for the Pythian motto Friendship, Charity, and Benevolence.
The Loyal Black Knights of Ireland chapter of the Orange Order was first founded in Sarnia in the early 1870s, transferred to Sarnia from Parkhill. This Protestant fraternal organization was founded in Northern Ireland in 1795. The highlights of the Orange year are the parades leading up to its annual celebrations on the “Glorious Twelfth of July.”
Sarnia’s Orange Association had its own building at the corner of George and Christina streets, where it became known as “Orange Hall.” During the 1930s in Sarnia, the lodge owned a three-storey property on North Front Street.
Randall Kenny was the first president of the Orange association in Sarnia. The Kenny name was well known in early Sarnia history. Their little grocery store on Front Street ultimately grew into National Grocers.
The Good Templars was an organization founded in Utica, New York and active in Sarnia. The Good Templars promotes total abstinence from alcohol. They were active during the Temperance Movement in Sarnia, and met in the old Methodist Church at Lochiel and Mechanic streets.
The Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal society, still exist in Sarnia. They first formed a local chapter on June 7, 1909. Initial membership was about 50 persons. In 1916, the local council purchased a building on the south side of Lochiel Street, just east of Christina Street Many charitable works were undertaken, particularly after the Great War.
The Lodge of Odd Fellows originated in England in the latter part of the 18th century, later encompassing the globe. Active in Sarnia until the 1960s, the Odd Fellows promote the United Nations Pilgrimage for Youth throughout Canada, the United States, and many countries globally. Numerous lodges still exist throughout Ontario today, including Petrolia.
In their day, these old fraternal societies did great work for the community. Some still carry that on today – an intriguing chapter in Sarnia’s social history.