Fonds 835 - Medicine Hat area Rebekah Lodge fonds

The Prairie Flower Rebekah Lodge No. 30 was founded in Redcliff, January 24, 1913. In attendance were members of the degree team from the Medicine Hat Rebekah Lodge, and the Redcliff International Order of Odd Fellows No. 90. It is not known when the Prairie Flower Lodge may have ceased, but they may have folded into either the Ruth or Vega Rebekah Lodge, which in the 1970s again folded into the Wildey Lodge in Medicine Hat.

Glenada Rebekah Lodge No. 31 was instituted on March 4, 1913. Based in Winnifred, they too were assisted by the Rebekah Lodge No. 5 from Medicine Hat. Glenada operated until at least 1922; many members transfered to Ruth Lodge in Medicine Hat.

Medicine Hat Rebekah Lodge – Wildey No. 107 gained its chartered on April 25th, 1930 and was one of four Lodges in District 18, and later the only Lodge in District 10.

During the Second World War, efforts were focussed on supporting the Red Cross and helping troops. Members paid $0.45 each to help fund a plane, they knitted and sewed, and sent parcels to soldiers overseas.

Other efforts included donating to the Crippled Children’s Hospital in Calgary, purchasing an iron lung for the Medicine Hat Hospital, and providing a hospital bed that could be used in homes.

Over the years, the lodge raised money for various projects through craft sales, bingo’s, bazaars, bake sales, bake-less sales, teas, dances, whist drives, car raffles, flea markets, a spaghetti supper, Regal Cards being one of the last money makers—the sister involved would order, and then donate the proceeds to the lodge. In the later years, this was the main money-making project the lodge had.

Wildey became a focal point as other lodges folded. In the 1970’s, Ruth and Vega Rebekah Lodges folded and the members transferred to Wildey. However, dwindling attendance at business meetings, social meetings, and social events, and due to the health of the members, deterioration of the meeting room, some snow birds, Rebekah Lodge – Wildey #107 elected to close as of June 2006. At this time four sisters transferred to Faith Rebekah Lodge #93 in Lethbridge.