In 1879 Prince Albert was a small village on the south bank of the North Saskatchewan River. The closest contact with the outside world was Winnipeg, 700 miles away. A dispensation, dated May 22, 1879, was granted by the Grand Lodge of Canada to organize a Lodge in Prince Albert to be named Kinistino #381, “Kinistino” being the generic name of an indgenous Cree tribe. The first meeting was held over Bro Porter’s office on October 3, 1879. In 1882 the lodge surrendered its charter to the Grand Lodge of Canada and accepted a charter from the Grand Lodge of Manitoba as Kinistino Lodge #16.
In 1883 the Lodge moved its meeting place to quarters in the Tresson Building on River Street followed, In 1887, to a room over T.H. Campbell’s store. This was followed by another move to a building owned by Shenff O.E. Hughes on Government Road, this latter building later becoming the American Hotel.
An agreement was made with a contractor in 1904 to build a hall, which the lodge would rent for $35.00 a month with an option to purchase for $7,000.00 anytime within three years. The first meeting was held In the new hall on S1. John’s Day, December 27,1905.
The last meeting of Kinistino Lodge under its old designation as Lodge #16 was held on July 6, 1906.
Then on Fnday, September 7, 1906, it met for the first time as Kinistino Lodge #1 under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan.
On Friday, June 17, 1910, MW Bro W. B. Tate, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan, laid the cornerstone of the Masonic Temple erected on 10th Street between Central Avenue and First Avenue West. December 2, 1910, marked the first meeting in the new building.
The years have brought many changes and even another Temple which is now located on 15th Ave E in and has been our home since the 80’s.
The current groups that use the temple are:
Masonic Lodge
Kinistino #1 – GRS Saskatchewan AF&AM
Meeting: 2nd Friday of the month
Recessed: July and August
Royal Arch Masons
Prince Albert Chapter #2
Meeting: 3rd Tuesday every alternating month
Recessed: July and August
Wa Wa Shriners
Prince Albert Shrine Club
Meeting: As called by president