On March 19, 1861, six years and a few months before Confederation, the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario, with offices at Hamilton, signed the petition and Friendly Brothers Masonic Lodge No. 143 G.R.C. situated at Iroquois, Ontario came into being.

The petition was presented by ten Masons from Iroquois, all members of Waddington No. 393, New York. The first regular meeting was held on April 19, 1861 and regular meetings have been held every month since, except during June, July and August.

During the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway, Cardinal Lodge No. 491 invited Friendly Brothers Lodge to use their facilities, and on October 20, 1961 we celebrated our Centennial and dedicated our new Lodge building at 21 Bay Street in Iroquois. The Lodge celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2011.

In September 2013 Cardinal Lodge #491 amalgamated with Friendly Brothers Lodge. Members of the two Lodges meet in harmony on the third Tuesday of the month.”