Audio Transcript

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If you take a look across the street to the left, you'll see a red brick building with gray columns on the corner.

You’re looking at the Odd Fellows Temple, which as of 2020 was home to the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. This building was built in the Edwardian Classical style of the pre-first World War Europe. The Odd Fellows Temple represents the important role played by fraternal organizations in Calgary’s community in the early to mid 20th century.

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The building was designed by David McIlroy, the architect for such prominent Calgary landmarks as the Lougheed Building and First Baptist Church. As with the grain exchange in the Palliser Hotel, employing the classical style on a tall building like this demonstrated the city’s confidence during its boom period. The Odd Fellows Temple is a historical landmark in Calgary, and retains an excellent degree of architectural integrity.

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The Odd Fellows were introduced to Alberta by Calgary’s first mayor, with the creation of Lodge No. 1 in 1884. Fraternal organizations like these played an important role in providing a source of social and financial support for the influx of new immigrants to Calgary.

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