Key Number:	HS 25906
Site Name:	Odd Fellows Temple (Chamber of Commerce)
Other Names:
Site Type:	0203 - Social and Recreational: Community Centre or Hall 2002 - Office Building

Location

ATS Legal Description:

			Twp	Rge	Mer
			23	1	5

Address:	517 Centre Street SW
Number:	17
Street:	Centre SW
Avenue:	5 SW
Other:
Town:	Calgary
Near Town:

Media

Type	Number	Date	View	Source

Architectural

Style:	Classical Revival
Plan Shape:	Rectangular
Storeys:	Storeys: 4 or more
Foundation:	Basement/Foundation Wall Material: Unknown
Superstructure:
Superstructure Cover:
Roof Structure:	Roof Type: Unknown
Roof Cover:
Exterior Codes:	Wall Design and Detail: Pier or Pilaster Wall Design and Detail: Ionic Capital Wall Design and Detail: String or Belt Course
Exterior:	South and east elevations: engaged marble pilasters on first storey with engraved designs and ionic capitals, moulded metal string course between first and second storeys, smooth dressed stone pilasters from second to forth storeys; sandstone string course between third and fourth storeys, semicircular window surrounds each with circular and semi-circular windows, parapet entablature with decorative soffit, flagpole on southeast corner, southeast main doro with semi-eliptical surround, engraving and keystone, recessed east doors with decorative moulding, door surrounds have engaged pilasters with carved corinthian capitals. * * * The architect who designed the Temple was David Suttie McIlroy, who also designed the Lougheed Building and First Baptist Church during this same period. Like many other commercial buildings of this era, the four storey Odd Fellos' Temple displays classical elements of Revival detailing on its facade. For example, the gound floor is divided into bays through the use of marble covered piers with Ionic capitals. The first floor is set off from those above it by a prominent string course, and the next two storeys continue the division into bays through the use of sandstone pilasters. The combination of sandstone and red brick infill creates a pleasing contrast, which was also used by McIlroy in some of his other designs. The fact that the Odd Fellows' activities on the fourth floor constituted the building's central function was reflected in the fact that the top storey was set off from those below by a broad stone moulding and by the series of round-arched windows, each paired with a small circular window above. The top floor was also distinguished by the carved pillar caps, although only three of them were completed because the hardhead stone proved too difficult and time-consuming to work with at the price originally named by the sculptor.
Interior:	The hall was by far the largest room in the building and occupied the entire south side of the fourth storey, facing sixth Avenue. It was finished in a classical style with plaster pilasters and cornice, elaborate woodwork, and gas lamps. There were large sliding doors on the east side which could be used to close off a portion of the hall and the west end was dominated by the massive throne, behind which was the regalia room, where the ceremonial clothing was kept. The fine woodwork was continued throughout the other facilities, which included a library and smoking room.
Environment:	On the corner of 6th Avenue S.W. and Centre Street.
Condition:	N/A
Alterations:	The building has not been changed in any significant way since its construction. There have been some minor changes to the exterior: basement windows along the east side have been filled in with painted wood panels and the copper rail that ran along the top of the windows has been painted. The most serious alteration has been the changes brought about by the 'Mr. Submarine' store. (July 1978) There has been little interior alteration to the building since its construction, partly due to the fact that the interior walls are fire brick covered with plaster. An automatic elevator was installed in approximately 1960 to replace the manually operated one. It is interesting to note that it took two days for workers to cut through the floor to accomodate the automatic elevator when it was expected to take no more than half a day. The thickness and hardness of the steel used at the time of construction caused these difficulties. The major interior alteration has been the removal of the thrones and benches from the great hall. They have been moved to a new hall and are therefore available for viewing . Photographs exist of the original hall and provide us with and excellent view of the importance of the room itself. The interior of the four floors consists of three meeting halls, regalia room, small banquet room (board room), assembly office, library, smaking room, two kitchens, living quarters for the caretaker, offices for the different lodges, and office space that was rented out to private business and professional concerns on the lower floors. The Chamber of Commerce bought the building in 1978 and undertook an immediate and extensive renovation program. Mechanical systems were updated and the woodwork and brass fittings were restored. On the second and third floors much of the interior was gutted, but in many cases original doors, glass panels and brick walls were re-used. In the hall on the fourth floor, which became a dining room, the Chamber installed new frosted windows bearing their insignia, and a large and colourful stained glass window has become the focal point of the lobby. The doors at the entrance to the building have recently been replaced with finely crafted, duplicate 1 3/4 inch oak doors, and the surrounding woodwork has been refurbished. Several other projects, such as improvements to the heating and ventilating systems, the replacement of windows on the north side, and repairs to the crumbling cornice in the dining hall still remain to be undertaken. The exterior has been cleansed and restored, though perhaps with some damage to its decorative features. Its appearance is seriously marred only by the presence of a large 'Mr. Submarine' sign which will likely dominate the south east corner of the Odd Fellows' Temple until the proprietor's lease expires in 1991.

Historical

Construction:	Construction Date:
Construction Started Constructed Ended	1912/01/01 1914/01/01
Usage:	Usage Date:
Independent Order of Odd Fellows Stores / Calgary Chamber of Commerce Retail shops / offices	1912/01/01 1977/04/01 1978/06/01
Owner:	Owner Date:
Alberta Oddfellows Temple Co. Ltd. Mr. Perry Calgary Chamber of Commerce	1922/01/01 1973/04/01 1978/09/28

Architect:	D.S. McIlroy
Builder:	N/A
Craftsman:	N/A
History:	1884 - Independent Order of Oddfellows founded in Calgary. 1895 - Grand master was Mayor George Murdock. 1912-1971 - Oddfellows owned temple. Building permit issued Aug. 25, 1911 to the I.O.O.F., owners, for a business block on this site; estimated cost $100,000. * * * The Oddfellows Temple was built by Alberta Lodge No. 1-1.O.O.F. for an approximate cost of 60,000 and was started in 1912 and completed in 1914. Mr. W.H. Cushing, a prominent Calgary citizen of that era, was Chairman of the Lodge Building Committee. In order to finance the building shares were sold for $10.00 each. Alberta Lodge No. 1 with a membership of over 200, were experiencing difficulty in meeting payments and in 1922 they sold the Building to the Alberta Oddfellows Temple Co. Ltd. under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Alberta, for $1.00. During his tenure as Mayor Bro. John Mitchell P.G.M. took an active interest in the construction and administration of the Temple. To finance the Mortgage payments the Grand Lodge borrowed substantial amount from their home fund and assessed all the Members of the Order in the Province of Alberta $1.00 per year each. The Building was apprainsed in 1973 at $80,000 and was sold to Mr. Perry in 1973 for $155,000. * * * Historical Significance: The Odd Fellows' Temple was built in 1912 to provide a permanent meeting place for several Calgary lodges of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The Order, which originated centuries earlier in Great Britian, was introduced to Alberta in 1884 when George Murdock, Calgary's first mayor, founded Alberta Lodge #1. Membership soon grew to several dozen and, as immigration to the west encreased, the Order spread throughout the province and attracted thousands of men and women. The organization's emphasis on fellowship, mutual aid, Christian faith, and personal morality gave newcomers a sense of belonging, guaranteed assistance in times of adversity, and provided a means of establishing a reputation for respectablility and good character in a new community. The Order attracted some wealthy members, including R.B. Bennett, who remained a member of Alberta Lodge #1 all his life, as well as many working and middle class people. Women participated in the Rebekah degree, which began meeting in the temple when Esther Rebekah Lodge #1 was founded in 1907. Erected during Calgary's pre-war building boom, the Odd Fellows' Temple was intended to pay for itself through revenue earned from the commercial premises on the first three floors. The shops and offices were rented to a variety of businesses, service groups, and religious organizations over the years, and the use of the third floor lodge rooms reflected the Odd Fellows' connection with the world of friendly societies and trade unions. The top floor was devoted to the activities of the order itself, and the main hall and other facilities were an ideal setting for the solemn ceremonies, practical business and social gatherings which were all a part of Odd Fellowship. After World War I, the emphasis on financial assistance to members in distress gradually decreased, and throughout the twentieth century the I.O.O.F. has expanded its role as a service organization which supports activities which are of benefit to the community at large, such as research into diseases of the eye. Despite the long term problems experienced by the Order in paying for the Temple after Calgary's real estate boom collapsed, it remained in the Odd Fellows' possession until 1973. For Calgarians who know something of its history, it serves as a reminder of the importance of the fraternal or 'friendly' society in their city's past. * * * Press Release Edmonton, Alberta The Honourable Greg Stevens, Minister of Culture, and Multiculturalism, announced today that the Odd Fellows' Temple in Calgary has been designated a Provincial Historical Resource. The Odd Fellows' Temple was built in 1912 to provide a permanent meeting place for several Calgary lodges of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The Order, which originated centuries earlier in Great Britain, was introduced to Alberta in 1884 when George Murdock, Calgary's first mayor, founded Alberta Lodge #1. Membership soon grew to several dozen and, as immigration to the west increased, the Order spread throughout the province and attracted thousands of men and women. The organization's emphasis on fellowship, mutual aid, Christian faith, and personal morality gave newcomers a sense of belonging, guaranteed assistance in times of adversity, and provided a means of establishing a reputation for respectability and good characted in a new community. The Order attracted some wealthy members, including R.B. Bennett who remained a member of Alberta Lodge #1 all his life, as well as many working and middle class people. Women participated in the Rebekah degree, which began meeting in the temple when Esther Rebekah Lodge #1 was founded in 1907. Erected during Calgary's pre-war building boom, the Odd Fellows' Temple was intended to pay for itself through revenue earned from the commercial premises on the first three floors. The shops and offices were rented to a variety of businesses, service groups, and religious organizations over the years, and the use of the third floor lodge rooms reflected the Odd Fellows' connection with the world of friendly societies and trade unions. The top floor was devoted to the activities of the order itself, and the main hall and other facilities were an ideal setting for the solemn ceremonies, practical business, and social gatherings which were all a part of Odd Fellowship. The Temple was designed by David McIlroy who also designed the Lougheed Building and First Baptist Church during this period. Like many other commercial buildings of this era, the four storey Odd Fellow's Temple displays elements of the Edwardian Classical style. Its facade is divided into bays through the use of marble covered piers on the ground floor and sandstone pilasters or simulated columns on its upper storeys.

Internal

Designation Status:	Designation Date:
Municipal A List Provincial Historic Resource	1987/10/16

Register:	01-171

Links

Internet:
Alberta Register of Historic Places:	4665-0559