British Columbia Lodge No. 1187, E.R.
The obelisk tomb marker of Brother Andrew Phillips in Pioneer Square (shown below) is one of Victoria’s best examples of 19th century Masonic tomb imagery.
The four sided obelisk displays the Square and Compasses on two sides, with the Plumb and the Level on the two remaining sides. Unfortunately the obelisk is made of comparatively fragile sandstone which has deteriorated markedly over the last decades, unfortunately helped along by vandals.
Here is a brief biographical sketch of Andrew Phillips taken from contemporary newspaper reports:
“DEATH – Andrew Phillips, formerly owner and captain of the colonial schooner Alpha, wrecked about two years ago near Barclay Sound, burst a blood vessel while on board the steamer Olympia on Sunday evening [note:25 January 1870] and died in a few minutes. Phillips was a Scotchman by birth, and was a member of British Columbia Lodge F & A.M., of this city.”
(Source: British Colonist, 26 January 1870, page 3, column 1)
Andrew Phillips’ grave marker is one of the most prominent monuments in Pioneer Square.