The Freemasons of Yverdon uncover a layer of mystery

On the pillars of the temple and on the draperies dominating the altar, symbols abound: the compass and the ruler, laurel wreaths, a “G” to represent geometry… Masonic imagery and its lexicon borrowed from the builders are equally fascinating. that they question, even though the Vaudois lodges open more easily today to make themselves known. The movement retains a strong scent of secrecy. “We are not secret, we are discreet,” corrects Jean-Paul Ciana as he welcomes us to the building located at rue Pestalozzi 7, in Yverdon.

It is here that the “brothers” of the Yverdon lodge, called Fraternity, have been meeting for nearly one hundred and fifty years. “It was founded by fourteen brothers who attended different lodges at the time, notably in Lausanne,” continues the man who was once the venerable of the Fraternity and who now takes on the role of master of ceremonies.

The first meetings took place at the Café du Tilleul, then located on rue des Remparts. The Yverdon workshop is growing rapidly: in two years, its workforce has doubled. And ten years later, he has around a hundred followers. Its members built their temple in 1878 in the building on Pestalozzi Street.

A century and a half later, the place remains little-known. The community, which today has around fifty members, does not hide itself: the ruler and the compass are clearly visible on the facade of the building. She organized a series of lectures throughout her jubilee. And it also published a brochure retracing its one hundred and fifty years of existence.

Several pages have been removed from the copy given to us by the master of ceremonies. They describe the ritual performed to celebrate the birthday. A censorship that betrays the desire to hide certain secrets from the laypersons? “To those who I know will never be interested in joining us, I can say everything,” replies the entrepreneur. But for others, it must remain a discovery.”

A member of the Fraternity for twenty-four years and master of the harmony column, Claude-Alain Habegger adds: “Even among us, we don’t talk about our initiation. It’s a very powerful moment, which everyone experiences in their own way. It’s impossible to describe.”

“Many myths”

According to this former retired police officer who speaks of the well-being that this spiritual quest gives him, “there are many myths around Freemasonry”. In the collective imagination, this society remains either a sect or a service club. “We are neither one nor the other,” reacts Jean-Paul Ciana. We don’t meet to network or negotiate perks. We have a saying, “Leave the metals at the temple door.” These metals are the economic or social value of the members: we are not talking about work, politics or religion.

As for the notion of sect, the Yverdon resident also refutes it: “I remember that it is easy to enter a sect and very complicated to leave it. With us, it’s the opposite: the acceptance process can last from six months to a year; it is punctuated by several interviews, but one letter is enough to resign.”

Christian symbolism is at the center of the Masonic faith, but its lodges today accept members of all faiths. “The prerequisite is that you have to have a belief.” Because spirituality is at the center of the Masonic system, which seeks to approach the great architect of the universe. Two stones installed in the center of the temple – one rough, the other cut – illustrate this: “You enter like the first and you should come out like the second.”

David Genillard has been a journalist in the Vaud & Régions section since 2007. Based in Yverdon since 2023, he mainly covers news from Northern Vaud. In 2021, he also participated in the launch of the weekly Riviera-Chablais Vos Région, a 24-hour partner.More info

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