History of Berea Chapter No. 134
R.A.M.
This
history was taken from the program on the seventy-fifth anniversary of Berea
Chapter No. 134 R.A.M. Friday, October 31, 1947.
On the evening
of April 9, 1872 (Tuesday), the following companions met at the Hall of Berea
Lodge, No.382, F. & A. M. , in the new temple, on the third floor of the
newly erected brick block, for the purpose of organizing Berea Chapter, R.A.M.,
under a dispensation granted to these Companions by Chas. C. Kiefer, Grand High
Priest of the Grand Chapter of the State of Ohio, and dated at Dayton, Ohio, on
the 28th day of March, A.D. 1872, and of A.R.A.M. 2402;
Companions
Robert W. Henry, Wm. L. Stearns, Edward Christian, David R. Watson, Wm. W.
Noble, Samuel Hittel, Levi E. Meacham, Theo. M. Towl, Samuel Mower, F. R. Van
Tyne.
The dispensation as copied in the
record book shows as members in addition to the above, Gershom M.
Barber and Aaron Schuyler. But not
Samuel Mower, who is shown as being present at this first meeting only but
evidently did not sign the petition for dispensation.
The
dispensation was read by F. R. Van Tyne. In it, the Grand High Priest
nominated, constituted and . appointed Companions F. R. Tyne to be the first
High Priest, R. W. Henry the first King, and W. L. Stearns the first Scribe of
said Chapter. The warrant was returnable at the-next regular meeting of the
Grand Chapter; together with the By-Laws and a report of the proceedings.
The officers named in the
dispensation then appointed the following officers:
A.
Schuyler ... " Treasurer
G.
M. Barber .. . Secretary
E.
Christian... Captain of Host
D.
R. Watson... Principal Sojourner
W.
W. Noble Royal Arch Captain
L.
E. Meacham.. Master the 3rd
Veil
Samuel
Hittel Master of the 2nd
Veil
T.
M. Towl... Master of the 1st
Veil
H.
D.Chapin Guard
A Chapter
of Royal Arch Masons was then opened in solemn form and on a motion a Code of By-Laws
was then adopted. The By-Laws provided that the Stated Convocations shall be
held on the first and third Mondays of each month at 7:30 P.M. from the first
of April to the thirtieth of September, and at 7 P.M. from the first of October
to the thirty-first of March. Officers to be elected annually at the second
Stated Convocation in December. The fees for the degrees were $30.00, divided
as follows: Mark Master, $15.00, M.E.M., $8.00, and the R.AM., degree $7.00.
The annual dues were $3.00 payable on
or before the last Stated Convocation in July.
The
complete By-Laws were printed In a booklet in 1873.
On motion
adopted, Companions Van Tyne, Christian and Stearns were appointed as a
committee to procure the necessary tools and fixtures for the conferring of the
degrees. Chapter was then closed in solemn form.
At the
regular Convocation on April 15, 1872, petitions for the degrees were received
from Brothers S.
G.
Cochran, N. D. Meacham, C. W. Stems, J. C. Nokes, and F. S. Henry,
all members of Berea Lodge No. 382, F. & A. M., and
From Brother W. P. Gardner, a Mark Master, made in Samaritan Chapter, No. 50,
R.A.M., of Coshocton, Ohio.
On motion,
Companions S. Hittel, W. L. Stearns and D. R. Watson were appointed a committee
to report as to the qualifications this Chapter would require of candidates in
their habits of temperance.
On May 6,
1872, the committee reported, "That after diligent enquiry we fail to find
any laws or edicts of the Grand Chapter in reference to the same but we are of
the decided opinion that when the intemperance is such as to produce a loss of
reason; it is our duty, in order to keep our institution inviolate and free
from public - exposure, to refuse the application unless there is good reason
to believe that a reform can be produced by admitting the candidate to our
order."
At a Stated convocation held on
June 3, 1872, $135.00 having at that time being received in fees for the
degrees, the Chapter by motion ordered a warrant drawn on the treasurer for
$13.50 to pay for a bill of goods bought of J. D. Caldwell, and another
warrant drawn for $102.00 to pay a loan which had no doubt been made to pay the
Charter fee, etc.. The Charter fee at that time was $90.00.
On
September 2, 1872, the committee reported the purchase of a Ledger and
record-book from Kennedy & Noble, for $9.65. The High Priest
was appointed as a committee to attend to the business of this Chapter at the
Grand Chapter and a warrant was drawn for $18.00 to pay the Grand Lodge dues.
At a
special convocation held on November 11,.1872, the Charter having been granted
by the Grand Chapter, Companion C. A. Woodward as M.E.G.H.P., assisted by
Companion George Adams, as Deputy High Priest, Companion George Berry as Grand
Secretary, and Companion Samuel Mower as Grand Chaplain, then constituted Berea
Chapter, No. 134, under the Charter, and installed the officers in due form.
From the
first Convocation on April 9, 1872, to November 11, 1872, the Chapter, while
under dispensation held 22 regular and special convocations. These twelve
Companions were exalted: N. D. Meacham, Jno. C. Nokes, F. S. Henry, C. W.
Stearns, Geo. H. Wadsworth, W. P. Gardner, Samuel G. Cochran, Alex Sandyson,
Jos. Gibson, O. D. Stone, M. A. Sprague and R. S. Wellington.
The above
named twelve Companions, together with the twelve who signed the petition for a
dispensation, are the Charter members of the Chapter, but the names of these
latter twelve do not appear on the Charter.
At the
Stated Convocation on November 18, 1872, Companions Van Tyne, Christian, and
Stems were appointed a committee to procure a Mark Book, Codes and such things
as they deemed necessary. This committee was also instructed to contract with
Berea Lodge No. 382, For rental of the hall.
On January
6, 1873, Companion Jno, A. Rettig, Past Grand scribe, installed the officers
who had been elected on December 16, 1872.
On
February 3, 1873, a motion prevailed to pay the Berea Lodge, No. 382, $54.00
for rental from April 9, 1872, to January 1, 1873. Contract was made for the rental
at $60.00 a year.
On
February 17, 1873, a motion prevailed that Companion Theo. A. Towl be granted a
demit with sufficient money to reinstate him in his former
Chapter. Evidently Companion Towl was borrowed
to help get Berea Chapter organized.
On December
15, 1873, an order was drawn on the Treasurer to G. E. Brown for furniture
(evidently for a chair for the King and
Scribe) in the amount of $24.45 and by vote, Companion Robert Henry was made an
honorary member of the Chapter.
On January
18, 1875, Companions C. W. Sterns, G. H. Wadsworth and W. W. Noble were
appointed a committee to procure a loan for the purpose of procuring robes for
the officers of the Chapter and ascertain the cost of a suitable wardrobe for
the same. On motion, the Secretary was instructed to purchase six manuals.
The annual return for the fiscal year ending July 31, 1876,
showed 32 members in good standing.
At the
Convocation on December 16, 1878, it was reported that Berea Lodge, No. 382, F.
& A. M., had agreed to reduce the rental to $25,00 a year (and
use of furniture).
On January
20, 1879, an amendment to the by-laws was adopted which made the regular
convocation of the Chapter the first and third Wednesdays of the month.
On
February 16, 1880, an amendment to the by-laws was adopted, to change the
annual dues from $3.00 to $1.50. Also an amendment was adopted to change the
meeting nights to the third Wednesday of the month, but they continued to hold
such regular meetings as were held on Mondays.
On
December 16, 1885, Companions Van Tyne and A. H. Pomeroy were appointed a
committee to purchase robes, jewels, etc., at a cost not to exceed $150.00, and
also a wardrobe for the same. The Chapter at this time had in its treasury
$245.18. And on January 20, 1886, this committee reported that they had
purchased robes, jewels, swords, etc., for $150.00 and a wardrobe for $20.00.
On January
20, 1886, the officers of the Chapter were installed in due and ancient form in
the presence of a large number of Master Masons and their families.
On March
17, 1886, Companions Van Tyne and Sterns were appointed to act with a similar
committee from Berea Lodge, No. 382, and secure a set of Middle Chamber-
Pillars, Arch, Etc. at a cost not to exceed $26.00 as the chapter's share. And
on April 21, 1886, this committee reported that an Arch had been purchased. And
the trustees were instructed to have the Chapter property insured for $200.00.
On·December
21, 1887, an Amendment was adopted making the by-laws read that the fees for
the Mark Master were $10.00, the M.E.M. $10.00, and the R.A.M. degree $10.00.
Stated Convocations to be held the first and third Wednesdays of the month.
On
December 8, 1888, three Brothers were exalted, but the next exaltations were
not until May 17, 1899, and from December 19, 1888, to December 7, 1898, the
Chapter only held eleven (11) Convocations.
At a
Stated Convocation held on May 17, 1899, a team from Webb Chapter, No. 14, of
Cleveland, conferred the Royal Arch degree on E. S. Loomis, Wm. A. Chatham, E.
A. Spellman and R. H. Darby, these being the first exaltations since December
8, 1888. The Chapter paid the Ladies’ Aid Society $19.50 for the dinner and
paid the Cleveland-Berea Electric Railway Co. $15.00 for a chartered car to
transport the Webb Chapter Team.
On December
18, 1901, the report of the finance committee showed $174.26 in the Treasures
hands, with liabilities of $31.00.
At a
Stated Meeting held on March 19, 1902, ten members of Berea Chapter were
present, together with O. B. Hannan, Grand King, and Gibson H. Robertson, Past
Grand High Priest. This was both an instruction and pep meeting, Companions
Hannan and Robertson making extended remarks relative to the life and work of a
Chapter and its conduct.
On March 16,
1904, there was paid to Berea Lodge No. 382, $15.00 covering one-third of the
cost of a newly purchased optical
lantern.
At the
Stated Conclave held on July 20,1904, the M.E.G.H.P., Owen B. Hannan, Past
G.H.P. Gibson H.
Robertson were present and were
introduced. In conferring the R.A. degree, Companion Hannan assumed the chair
of King, and Companion Robertson, the chair of Scribe.
The Chapter paid out on May 3,
1905, $16.00 for 100 Chapter pennies and dies for making same.
The Secretary's salary was fixed
at $10.00 per year on January 5, 1906.
On
December 20, 1905, an amendment to the by-laws, changing the nights of the
regular Convocation to the first and third Fridays instead of Wednesdays, was
taken from the table and by vote adopted. This amendment was first read on
November 16, 1904.
On April
5, 1907, E. Christian was paid $5.75 for a silk hat for the E.H.P ..
On July
31, 1908 there were 46 members in good standing.
On January
1, 1909, a public installation of officers elect was held, and the Chapter room
was well filled with ladies and :friends of the Chapter members.
During the
calendar years 1907 and 1908, 36 regular and special Convocations were held and
H.P. H.B.
Kirkland was present and presided
at all of them.
On May 21,
1909, by motion, $236.33 was ordered paid to Berea Lodge, No. 382, as one-third
of the expense of repairing the Lodge rooms.
At the
regular Convocation on November 5, 1909, Companions F. F. Mushrush and A. C.
Bagnall were present and asked for consent of Berea Chapter to the granting of
a dispensation to form a chapter at Lakewood, Ohio by motion, consent was
granted on November 19, 1909.
On July
31, 1909, Berea Chapter had 54 Members in good standing.
On March
7, 1913, the Chapter was inspected by G.H.P. Thomas H. Islitt in the M.E.M.
degree, 24 members of Berea Chapter being present.
On April
18, 1913, the Chapter Contributed $25.00 to the fund for flood relief in
southern Ohio (Dayton Relief Commission).
On June 5,
1914, the papers for Berea Chapter's consent of a new Chapter in Cleveland to
be known as Robert Wallace Chapter, were read and on June 19,1914, consent was
voted.
On
November 20, 1914, the Chapter ordered $33.32 paid for banners for the veils
and a Mark Book.
On
September 15, 1916, a motion prevailed that the Chapter pay its proportion of
the cost of a new gas range for the kitchen.
On March
18, 1917, the District Inspector, Irving Stafford, was present and inspected
the Chapter work in the R.A. degree. Forty-one members and seven visitors were
present.
On
September 19, 1919, the dues were fixed at $2.00 per year, and the fee for
affiliation at $3,00.
On January
16, 1919, at a regular Convocation, the Chapter not having met since October 4,
1918, on account of an order of the local Board of Health (due to the Influenza
epidemic), the Secretary was instructed to request a dispensation to hold an
election of officers.
On April
4, 1919, $70.00 was ordered paid to David Gilchrist as one-third of the cost of
a new floor in the dinning room.
On
December 19, 1919, the Chapter voted permission for the issue of a dispensation
for the establishment of a Chapter at West Park, Ohio, and to be
named West Park. Chapter. When the Charter was granted to West Park Chapter in
October of 1920, fifteen members of Berea Chapter who had signed the petition
for the dispensation were automatically demitted to West Park Chapter, No. 214.
On
November 20,1920, a motion was carried that the Chapter assume one-third of the
$1000.00 pledged by Berea lodge, No. 382, to the Berea Community Hospital Fund
and this was paid by the chapter in two installments. Motion also carried that
the Secretary be paid a minimum of $50.00 per year for his services.
At a
special meeting on March 24, 1921, a team from the newly chartered West Park
Chapter, No. 214, took the chairs and exemplified the M.E.M. degree for 23
members of Berea Chapter, (Ninety-five members and visitors were present and
the dinner, with ice cream, cost the Chapter $54.50.)
On June 3, 1921, 29 Brothers were
exalted to the R.A. degree.
On October
21, 1921, an amendment to the by-laws was adopted, fixing the fees for the
degrees as follows: $10.00 for the M.M., 00 for the P.M., $10.00 for M.E.M.,
and $20.00 For the R.A.M., $5.00 for affiliation and $2.00 for the annual dues.
On January
29, 1922, the Chapter by motion agreed to pay one-third of the cost of a new
carpet for the Lodge room and on March 3, 1922, agreed to pay one-third of the
cost of a new carpet for the rostrum.
Chapter's
share for the Lodge room, $248.58 and for the rostrum $23.50.
On February 16, 1923, the Chapter
was inspected in the M.M. degree by Companion George A.
Peabody, District Inspector.
On December
19, 1924, a motion was carried that the Chapter pay $25.00 to Berea Lodge, No.
382, towards the purchase of an addressograph machine.
On May 21,
1926, the Chapter by-laws were amended by making the annual dues $3.00.
The Grand Chapter of 1925, amended
their by-laws, making the Chapter year end on May 31 of each
year.
On May 3,
1929, the M.E.M. degree was conferred on two candidates of Berea Chapter No.
134, and two from Rising Sun Chapter, No. 190, by the Cuyahoga County Past High
Priest Association. Seventy-two Visitors were present From Rising Sun and other
Cleveland Chapters. Lunch at the Varsity Inn cost $53.00.
On October
17, 1930, the Chapter paid Berea Lodge, No. 382, $25.00 toward the cost of
bookcases in the Secretary's room. And on November 21, 1930, the Chapter
donated $25.00 to the Berea Community Fund.
On
November 3, 1933, an amendment was made to the by-laws reducing the fees for
the Chapter degrees from $40.00 to $25.00.
At a
special Convocation held on November 30, 1934, with nearly one-hundred members
and visitors present, the officers for the ensuing year were installed by Paul
G. Lutz, Grand King, with Ex. Comp. Willard T. Francis, Grand Marshal; Irving
Stafford, Grand Treasurer.
At a
special held on January 23, 1935, M.E.G.H.P. Roscoe Walcutt was present and
addressed the Chapter. He was accompanied by E. Comp. Paul G. Lutz, Grand King.
At a
special held on June 18, 1935, the M.E.M. degree was conferred by the Past High
Priest association of the 18th District. Paul G. Lutz, Grand King,
and Willard T. Francis, Deputy G.H.P., District Inspector, were present.
On
December 2, 1938, a motion prevailed that each living P.H.P. be presented a
P.H.P. Jewel (those having received one being excepted) at a cost not to exceed
$15.00.
On October
39, 1939, an amendment to the by-laws was adopted fixing the fees for the
degrees at $15.00 and the fee for affiliation at $3.00.
On
December 15, 1939, an amendment to the by-laws was adopted fixing the first
Stated Convocation in June of each year as the time for the election of Chapter
officers (to comply with the Grand Chapter Code). And a resolution was adopted
making Ill Brother Louis C. Wright, 33 Degree, an Honorary member of the
Chapter.
On October
4, 1940, Companion Jno. W. Knox presented to the Chapter framed specimens of
parts of the Holy bible, taken from original printed books, over 100 years old.
On May 18, 1946, the G.H.P.
approved the change in our Chapter by-laws making the annual dues
$4.00.
From its formation
in 1872 until 1903, Berea Chapter had a precarious existence----never having
had a membership in good standing of over 32 and in the report for 1903, had an
all time low of only 20 members.
Had it not
been for the visit of Past G.H.P. Gibson Robinson on March 19, 1902, the
Charter would no doubt have been taken up by the grand Chapter. This was the
beginning of an enthusiasm which brought the membership up to a high of 148 in
1926, but sorry to record, it then went into a decline until the year 1939,
when again started to started to increase and has advanced steadily to our
present membership of 158.
On
December 7, 1898, officers were elected and installed for the year 1899.
Companion A.H. Perry, who had served as Secretary for six years previous, was
elected H.P. and J.J. Bartlett was elected Secretary, but Companion Perry acted
as both H.P. and Secretary for all the year 1899. In the year 1900, Companion
Perry again served as Secretary and in 1903 served up until 1936, the year of
his death, for a total of 42 years as Secretary of Berea Chapter.
F.R. Van
Tyne served six years consecutively as H.P. and ten years as Secretary, of
which eight years were consecutive.
M.A.
Sprague served the Chapter fifteen years as King, eleven of which were connective.
Robert H. Ware has served the
Chapter twelve consecutive years as Secretary,
In
addition to the twelve Royal Arch Masons who petitioned for a dispensation, 331
members of Berea Chapter received the Royal Arch degree in Berea Chapter, and
21 were received on demit (up to June 31, 1947).
Berea
Chapter claims to be the first Berea Masonic organization taking positive steps
towards the formation of a Masonic Temple Fund. They set aside a substantial
amount in 1939 and the fund is annually increased.
If anyone
has any information pertaining to Berea Chapter No. 134 R.A.M., from 1947 to
today, please forward to Hank Hausmann’s email at: wb8rni@aol.com
We will be
glad to add it to the present & existing
information.