One hundred years ago, the Loyal Orange Lodge No. 1654 opened its brand new hall in the heart of what was then the Town of Strathcona. This weekend, the Order celebrates its 100th anniversary with an open house.

Well have artifacts and regalia on display as we celebrate the first century of the Lodge, explains secretary-treasurer Doug Robbins. Were pretty proud of our history and our place in the community.

Its a place that actually began in 1893, when the Loyal Orange Order, Chapter 1164, was formed. For the next ten years, meetings were held in the homes of members, until the resources could be raised to build their own building.

H.W. Nash, a Strathcona grain buyer and prominent local businessman, played host to the first sessions at his home. Originally a partisan group supporting the cause of Protestantism in England, the Loyal Orange Order in Canada today operates primarily as a benevolent association, raising funds for various childrens charities.

Some of Strathconas leading citizens were among the fraternity's founding membership. According to the lodges incorporation charter, dated 1895 and mounted on the wall left of the stage podium, Rev. Robert A. Munroe was the first Grand Master. R.W. Pettipiece, the editor of the South Edmonton News was the first Recording Secretary and Robert McKernan, who built the Dominion Hotel in 1903, organized several Orangemen's parades and was subsequently Grand Master of the Lodge. McKernans son John was to build the Princess Theatre in 1914/15.

The first Orangeman's parade in Strathcona was held on the Glorious 12th of July1895, in honour of William of Orange, a Protestant who became King of England in place of James II, a Catholic. Some 60 Orangemen strutted down Whyte Avenue by 60 Orangemen to the accompaniment of fifes and drums.

By 1904 the group's membership had grown considerably, and an impressive 2,500 Orangemen from all over Alberta participated in that year's procession. With that kind of popularity, its no wonder the Orange Hall became a Strathcona social centre.

It went up in 1903 on land purchased by members for $150. They were still precariously short of money, so completed most of the construction work themselves.

While other buildings from the early days of the 20th century have been lost to the march of time, good fortune and good stewardship have combined to preserve the hall at 10335 84th Avenue. One hundred years on, is still boasts its original hardwood flooring, wainscotting and stage with podium and carved wooden arch.

With its simple white clapboard looks, the Orange Hall is the sort of building that many might not view as historic. But it endures as a rare example of a style of architecture seldom found in todays urban centres.

A report from the Edmonton Planning Department calls the building representative of simple mission style architecture and notes that it lacks the ornate embellishments of a later era. But thats not to say that this little building is without its charms and artistic flourish.

In the upstairs hall, the arch over the stage is adorned with ornate carvings in the woodwork. Wood panelling, with reaches half way up the walls, adds a homey touch. The Queen's photograph overlooks the hall over the lodge's unfurled banner, while historic photos and charters decorate the walls. The piano is reported to be the original.

The halls white clapboard siding was originally painted a dark colour and was later painted its distinctive white and orange. The front porch was closed in and a basement was added sometime after it was built (perhaps in the 1940s).

The basement, which now houses a kitchen and storage facilities, was poured with concrete made from gravel in the river valley, which still contained little chunks of coal and Robbins says the Order decided to pour a new floor a few years ago. Weve also sanded and refinished the wood floor and insulated the upstairs. Until five years ago, it wasnt insulated at all.

In 1980, Orange Halls well-preserved interior was used as a meeting hall set for a documentary on Alberta women's rights activist Emily Murphy. It has also served as a venue for the South Side Folk Club and venue for the Fringe Festival and private events. Time has marched on and other buildings went up around it the Strathcona Library to the west (in 1913) and the Edmonton Transit bus barns to the east in the 1950s.

Robbins, whos 72, has been an Orangemen for 55-years. He laments the lack of new members and interest in the organization. Its the same for a lot of fraternal groups these days. People are just too busy to get involved, and thats sad because being a member has given me so much for so many years.

Recognizing its significance to the city's built heritage, the Orange Hall is one of fewer than 120 structures on the "A" list of the Register of Historic Resources in Edmonton. Any plan to dramatically change or demolish the structure must first be brought to a vote of Edmonton City Council.

In the brick bastion of Old Strathcona, the Orange Hall survives as a sort of wooden bookmark in time. It was designated a Provincial Historical Resource in 1994 and Robbins says the group is talking with the City about municipal designation as well. We want to protect the building because we want it to be around after were all gone. Its a great piece of history.

The Loyal Orange Association will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Orange Hall with an Open House on Saturday, July 12th from 9 am to 5 pm.