THE HISTORY OF BEREA (QUARRY) LODGE
The First 100 Years
(FOREWORD)
The Information contained herein has been reproduced from the Berea Lodge 100th Anniversary Booklet for your enjoyment & reference. Please, My Brethren, we need to continue this History to include the years from 1968 to the Present. If you have (or know of) any information of historic interest, please send it to me (by email to wb8rni2@aol.com) or to our P.O. Box 15, Berea, OH 44017, [ATTN: WB Hank Hausmann.] We are especially looking for Denison #640, Strongsville #728, & Olmsted Falls #705 Lodge History, and the details of the several mergers into Quarry #382.
We present this Centennial book as
a history of Berea Lodge No. 382, F .
& A. M., based upon the
minutes and records of the Lodge. The coverage for the first
seventy-five
years, of 1867 to 1942, is the work of the Seventy-fifth Anniversary
Committee
and their writing has been included intact. The members of that
Committee
were: Almon H. Williams (Chairman), Walter R. Baldwin, Carl J. Eckert,
David H.
Hopkins, and Elbert C. Platt.
Consequently the work of the
present Centennial Committee for this
history has been devoted to research in the minutes and
records of the Lodge
from 1942 to 1967 and the furnishing of photographs for the
more recent years.
We have most earnestly tried to be accurate in our accounts and if
inaccuracies
or serious omissions have occurred we beg your indulgence.
It is with great humility that we
submit this work to the archives of
Berea Lodge in the hope that the future will bring even greater
accomplishments
by the Lodge for later committees to extol.
The Centennial Committee: George C.
Schneider George S. DuPerow Harold
F. Jameyson Theodore A. Holt
PROUD TO BE A
MASON
Freemasonry is fraternal in
organization, religious in character, based
on the belief in the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. Be
prompt to
claim that Freemasonry is not a secret society.
Freemasonry is a voluntary
association wherein the interested one
comes of his own free will and accord. Discussions on religion and
politics have
no place in our proceedings.
Freemasonry in its every effort and
purpose, strives to do charitable
work within its membership and for society and, through its teachings,
seeks to
make good men better men.
Freemasonry
is a band of men bound together throughout the world in the bonds of
brotherly
love and affection.
Freemasonry means kindness in the
home, honesty in business, courage in
society, fairness in work, pity and concern for the unfortunate,
resistance
toward the wicked, help for the weak, love for one another, and, above
all
reverence and love for God.
IN THE BEGINNING:
On the evening of Wednesday, November 28, 1866, a number of citizens of
Berea
met in a room adjacent to Mr. Christian Ohle's store room on Front
Street for
the purpose of organizing to secure a dispensation for a Lodge of Free
and
Accepted Masons at Berea.
Committees
were appointed to secure a place for the Lodge to
meet, secure funds for furnishing a Lodge Room, and write to the Grand
Lodge
for the necessary forms for securing the consent of the neighboring
Lodges.
Another meeting was held on Wednesday evening, December 12, 1866, when
the
executive committee reported that a lease had been made with Mr. C.
Ohle for
the upper floor of his store for $100.00 a year. This building was
located at the
present site of Lane's dry goods store, No. 54 Front Street. It was a
two-story
wooden building, set back from the street, and was about twenty by
thirty-six
feet in size. A walk on the south side led to a stairway to the second
floor.
This
building was built in 1840 by the Lyceum Village and
used as a store and meeting place. At this meeting on December 12, the
forms
from the Grand Lodge were on hand and the petition for a dispensation
was
signed by Frank R. Van Tyne, a Past Master of Wellsville Lodge, No.
180,
Wellsville, Ohio, and holding a dimit from that Lodge; S. Y. Wadsworth,
holding
a dimit from New England Lodge, No.4, Worthington, Ohio; Gershom M.
Barber,
holding a dimit from Iris Lodge, No. 229, Cleveland, Ohio; Norman D.
Meacham,
holding a dimit from Medina Lodge, No. 58, Medina, Ohio; D. S. Fracker,
holding
a dimit from Amity Lodge, No.5, Zanesville, Ohio; W. P. Gardner,
holding a
dimit from Tiffin Lodge, No. 320, Tiffin, Ohio; Charles Vansise,
holding a
dimit from Rose Lodge, No. 304, Monroeville, Ohio; and G. B. Sturgis,
holding a
dimit from Marion Lodge, No. 70, Marion, Ohio.
The
Committee to secure funds reported that $165.00 had been
subscribed by the eight petitioning Master Masons together with four
other
Master Masons and two Entered Apprentices who had received their E. A.
Degrees
in Cleveland Lodges.
Forms for the consent to form a Lodge here were sent to Iris Lodge, No. 229; Cleveland City, No. 15; Bigelow, No. 243; Concordia, No. 345; and Tyrian, No. 370, all of Cleveland, Ohio, together with Newburg, No. 379, at Newburg, Ohio; Medina, No. 58, at Medina, Ohio; King Solomon's, No. 56, at Elyria, Ohio; and Bedford, No. 375, at Bedford, Ohio. Other meetings were held and the petition and consent of the neighboring Lodges were forwarded to the Grand Master, together with a Charter fee, and a Lodge room was fitted and furnished in due Masonic form. On February 22, 1867, the dispensation was received, an on Wednesday evening March 6, 1867, Berea Lodge F. & A. M., U D, Held its first meeting with the following officers:
Frank
R. Van
Tyne …………
Worshipful Master
G.
M.
Barber ……………… Senior Warden
S. Y. Wadsworth ………….. Junior Warden
D. S. Fracker ……………… Secretary
G. B. Sturgis ………………. Treasurer
C. Vansise ………………… Senior Deacon
W. P. Gardner ……………. Junior Deacon
N. D. Meacham ………….. Tyler
The dispensation was to continue in force until the next Annual Grand Lodge Communication, to be held at Cincinnati, Ohio, on October 15, 1867.
Fees
for the degrees were: E. A., $15.00;
F. C. $10.00; M. M., $5.00. Membership by affiliation, $5.00. Annual
Dues,
$3.00 payable in arrears.
Stated
communications were held on the
second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. The Lodge held meetings
through the
summer months and by October 9, 1867 had raised eight Master Masons as
follows:
David R. Watson, A. G. Taylor, Charles L. Underhill, Edward J. Kennedy,
John
Lay, Edward Christian, Benjamin F. Campbell, and William Barker. These,
with
the eight Master Masons who signed the petition for a dispensation were
the
Charter Members of the Lodge.
The
furniture and furnishings of the
Lodge were of the simplest form, ordinary wooden chairs, coal oil lamps
and
candles furnished the illumination and there was a wood burning stove
in the
Lodge Room only. There was no carpet on the floor until September,
1870, when
one was purchased in part with money subscribed by the members. To heat
the
ante rooms, a stove was purchased in November, 1869.
On
Friday, November 8, 1867, at 6:00
o'clock P.M., a meeting of Berea Lodge, F. & A. M., U. D., was
called for
the purpose of being constituted a regular Lodge under the Charter
granted by
the Grand Lodge of Ohio at their Communication held in Cincinnati on
October
15, 16, and 17,1867.
Bro.
George H. Adams, W. M., of Cleveland
City Lodge, No. 15, as the duly authorized proxy of the Deputy Grand
Master,
performed the ceremonies of Constituting and Installing, and the new
Lodge,
under the title and rank of Berea Lodge, No. 382, was duly and
regularly
constituted.
The
Charter was signed by Thos. Sparrow,
M. W. Grand Master; Howard Matthews, R. W. Deputy Grand Master;
Octavius
Waters, R. W. Senior Warden; Thos. Larsh, R. W. Junior Grand Warden,
and
attested by John D. Caldwell, R. W. Grand Secretary, and gave the rank
and
precedence of the Lodge as from February
20,1867.
At
the Stated Communication held on
December 25, 1867, a vote of thanks was extended to Mr. S. S. Brown, a
jeweler
of Berea, for a gift of a copy of the Holy Bible. The minutes do not
show that
Mr. Brown ever petitioned the Lodge for membership by initiation.
On
June 9, 1869, the Lodge voted to
return to the Brothers the various sums advanced by them at the time of
organization.
On
September 8, 1869, the Committee on
Jewels was instructed to purchase a set of solid silver officers'
jewels at a
cost of $75.00.
On
February 8, 1871, a committee was
appointed to meet with a committee from the local Independent Order of
Odd
Fellows Lodge in regard to the joint occupancy of a new hall. The
minutes do
not show a report by this committee. They no doubt ascertained that
joint
occupancy with other than Masonic bodies was not permitted and the
matter was
dropped.
On
September 15, 1871, the Trustees,
together with the Past Masters, were appointed a committee to lease the
north
room on the third floor of the new brick block then under construction,
for a
term of five years, at $150.00 a year.
On
January 10, 1872, the Lodge held its
first meeting in the new rooms. The Lodge Room was the same as at
present
except that the platform at the Senior Warden's station extended into
the room,
and the three steps and platform at the east were nearly as wide as the
room.
The room was lighted by coal oil lamps on four ornate chandeliers
arranged in
pairs on steel cables so that when one was raised the other was
lowered for
cleaning and refilling the lamps. The carpet used in the other Lodge
Room,
augmented by new carpet of the same pattern covered the floor. This
carpet was
in use until the present carpet was purchased in 1922. A part of the
original
carpet is still in use on the floor of our wardrobe room.
On
April 24, 1872, a motion prevailed
that we grant the use of our Lodge and ante rooms to Rocky River Lodge,
I. O.
O. F., for their coming anniversary.
On
June 12, 1872, a motion prevailed that
a committee of one be appointed to circulate a subscription to
replenish the
Lodge Treasury. Bro. John C. Nokes was appointed and on January 8,
1873, Bro.
Nokes reported that he had collected and paid to the Treasurer the sum
of
$37.00 and the committee was discharged.
The
minutes of April 9, 1873, show that
$15.00 was received
from
Berea Chapter, R. A. M., for one
quarter year rent, but in previous minutes no mention is made of the
use of the
rooms by the Chapter.
On
June 25, 1873, Bro. Walter M. Loomis
(not a member of Berea Lodge) was paid $4.00 for tyling the Lodge, pro
tem.
Bro. Loomis was also janitor of the Lodge Rooms.
On
April 8, 1874, a petition was read
asking for consent and recommendation to establish a Lodge at Olmsted
Falls,
Ohio. It was signed by ten members of Berea Lodge, all residents of
Olmsted
Township except Wor. Bro. S. Y. Wadsworth, a Past Master of Berea
Lodge, who
was to be Master of the Lodge under dispensation. Unanimous consent of
the
Lodge was granted.
On
April 22, 1874, a petition was
presented asking for consent and recommendation and addressed to the M.
W.
Grand Master praying for a dispensation to establish a Lodge at Dover
Township,
Ohio. The petition was signed by eleven Master Masons but only four
were
members of Berea Lodge, viz: Brothers D. R. Watson, J. L. Hand, L. M.
Coe, and
Saxton Barry. The Lodge certified that Wore Bro. D. R. Watson was a
regularly
elected and installed Master of Berea Lodge.
Evidently
the petition for a Lodge at
Olmsted Falls was not presented to the Grand Master, or they did not
obtain the
consent of the neighboring Lodges, for no dispensation was granted
them, but a
dispensation was granted to the Dover Lodge, which became No. 489 on
the
granting of a charter on October 21, 1874.
On
June 10, 1874, in response to an
appeal by the M. W. Grand Master of Ohio, $25.00 was voted for relief
of our
suffering Brethren in Louisiana.
On
May 26, 1875, a communication was read
from M. W. Grand Master A. H. Battin, granting Berea Lodge permission
to join
in a parade on Saturday, May 29, for the ceremony of decorating the
graves of
the Union soldiers.
On
December 8, 1875, the Lodge voted to
subscribe $20.00 towards building the Washington National Monument, and
at this
meeting they also by motion voted to allow the Ladies' Aid Society of
the
Congregational Church the use of the ante rooms for dressing rooms, on
the
occasion of their entertainment in Brick Hall, to be given on December
9.
On
April 26, 1876, by motion, the use of
the Lodge Rooms was tendered to the Citizens' Committee for the
celebration of
the opening of the street railroad, to be held on May 3, 1876.
The
first reference to the visit of a
District Lecturer in the minutes was made in the minutes of a special
meeting
on April 27, 1891, when Bro. J. C. Crawford, as District Lecturer, was
present.
In
October, 1877, the By-Laws were
amended to make the annual dues $2.00 instead of $3.00, but in
December, 1897,
they were increased to $3.00.
On
February 13, 1878, Bros. C. W. D.
Miller and R. Wellington were appointed a committee to settle with the
members
in arrears for dues and if necessary take their notes with good
security.
On
August 14, 1878, a motion was carried
that no more rent be paid until the roof and ceiling be repaired to the
satisfaction
of the Lodge.
On
October 9, 1878, it was resolved by
ballot that hereafter no Mason on dimit be allowed to visit this Lodge.
On
December 22, 1880, a Lodge of M. M.
was opened and then proceeded downstairs to Brick Hall (on the second
floor),
the use of the hall having been tendered by Bros. Sidney Lawrence and
W. W.
Noble, where the officers for ensuing year were installed in the
presence of
Brethren and their families and a large number of invited guests. The
bill of
A. R. Hurlburt, proprietor of the Nichols House, for suppers and hotel
expenses
was $70.50 (no doubt 50 cents per plate).
On
November 9, 1881, members of Meridian
Sun Lodge, No. 266, of West Richfield and Dover Lodge, No. 489, of
Dover Center
were present on invitation of Berea Lodge. A supper was served at the
Nichols
House (then conducted by Wm. Brown), after which they repaired to the
Lodge
Rooms and Meridian Sun Lodge conducted the work in the M. M. Degree.
On
April 22, 1885, the present
upholstered chairs for the Master and Wardens were purchased at a cost
of
$94.72. The other two upholstered chairs in the East are no doubt the
property
of Berea Chapter, R. A. M., No. 134.
On
March 10, 1886, a committee was
appointed to confer with owners of the Brick Block and endeavor to have
the
weekly meeting nights of the local company of Ohio National Guards
changed to
some night of the week other than Wednesday. The Company met and
drilled in the
room now used as our dining room. The local I. O. O. F. Lodge later
used those
rooms, which accounts for the wickers in the doors.
An
organ was purchased on May 23, 1888,
for $50.75, and on November 28, 1888, Berea Chapter, No. 134, R. A. M.
paid
Berea Lodge $18.50 for a one-third interest in the same.
In
July, 1895, the coal oil lamps in the
Lodge and ante rooms were replaced with electric lights.
On
December 27,1905, the regular meeting
nights were changed to the second and fourth Fridays of each month,
instead of
the second and fourth Wednesdays, as they had been since the Lodge was
organized. This was done to accommodate the traveling salesmen members
who were
home only on weekends.
In
January, 1909, the Lodge rented the
south third of the third floor and used it for a dining room, kitchen
and
property room.
On
August 25, 1911, the Lodge by motion
voted to join with Berea Chapter, R. A. M in a picnic, each to bear
one-half of
the expense. The picnic was held on a week day at Chippewa Lake and
transportation was by chartered cars on the C. & S. W.
interurban electric
railway. This was the first picnic participated in by the Lodge.
On April 11, 1913, four
Standard Monitors were ordered to be purchased. Previous to this time
the
monitorial work was printed only in the code.
In December, 1914 the coal
stoves which had been preceded by wood burning stoves were discarded
and gas
stoves installed.
On
December 22, 1916, the Lodge gave
consent for a new Lodge to meet at West Park, Ohio, and Wor. Bro.
C. G.
Warden, a Past Master of Berea Lodge, was designated Master under
dispensation.
When the Charter was granted on October 17, 1917, it automatically
dimitted
eighteen members of our Lodge who had signed the petition for a
dispensation.
The West Park Lodge was named North Star and was numbered 638.
On
Thursday evening, November 8, 1917,
the Lodge celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a banquet, music,
speeches, and
the showing of lantern slides. An interesting and historical sketch was
given
by Brother D. T. Gould, covering the first fifty years of Berea Lodge.
At this
time seventeen members of the Lodge were in the Army or Navy of the
United
States.
On
July 12, 1918, an amendment to the
By-Laws was adopted which raised the fees for degrees to $40.00, annual
dues to
$4.00, and fee for affiliation to $4.00.
In March, 1919, a group of Lodge members organized a Masonic Club and rented the south second floor room of the building. The By- Laws of the Club provided that to become and remain a member they must be in good standing in some Lodge of F. & A. M. The Club members paid in about $1800.00 and contracted debts of about $900.00 and on January 23, 1920, the Lodge accepted the property and debt of the Masonic Club and the rooms were made available to all members of the Lodge.
On
February 13, 1920, an amendment to the
By-Laws was adopted making the fees for the degrees $60.00 and the
annual dues
$5.00.
On November 12, 1920, a motion
prevailed to subscribe $1000.00 to the Berea Community Hospital Fund to
dedicate a Dr. H. B. Kirkland memorial ward.
There
was spent in the years 1921 and
1922 a total of $1940.56 in Lodge improvements.
On
April 24, 1925, fees for the degrees
were raised to $75.00 and affiliation to $5.00 by regular adopted
amendment to
the By-Laws.
On
June 12, 1925, our present quarters
were dedicated to Masonry in an impressive ceremony. Wor. Bro. W. F.
Monell
having a proxy as Most Worshipful Grand Master for that purpose.
On
February 10, 1928, a dinner was served
and a meeting held to honor our Lodge Brother Dr. E. S. Loomis, on the
publication of his book, "The Pythagorean Proposition." The
publication of the same was financed by the Masters and Wardens
Association of
the 22nd Masonic District. The Masters and Wardens of all the Lodges in
the
22nd District were invited and most of them were in attendance.
On
June 8, 1928, by a vote of the Lodge,
the officers selected for a new Lodge at Olmsted Falls were recommended
as
competent and consent was given for the dispensation asked for, and
when the
Charter for Olmsted Falls Lodge, No. 705 was granted on October
16,1930, our
Lodge automatically dimitted the eleven members who had signed the
petition for
a dispensation.
In
the summer of 1928 a fire which
originated in the K. of P. rooms at the bottom of the second floor
stairway
partially destroyed the stairway and damaged carpets, linoleum, and
robes, wall
paper, etc., of the Lodge to the amount of $390.00, which sum was paid
by the
insurance company. The building owners rebuilt the stairway and
improved it by
making the angle less steep than the original.
On
March 24,1931, a meeting of representatives
of Berea Lodge, No. 382, F. & A. M.; Berea Chapter, No. 134, R.
A. M., and
White Rose Chapter, No. 176, O. E. S. was held for the purpose of
forming a
Berea Fraternal Benefit Association. At a subsequent meeting, officers
were
elected and By-Laws adopted. Only members in good standing in the above
organizations were eligible to membership but, on May 3, 1933, the
By-Laws were
amended to include the members of Olmsted Falls Lodge, No. 705, F.
& A. M.
In the eleven years of operation the Association has paid to
beneficiaries the
sum of $702.00.
On
February 13, 1931, the Lodge adopted
the practice of presenting each newly made Master Mason with his
personal
Bible.
On
October 26, 1934, an amendment to the
By-Laws was adopted reducing the fees for the degrees from $75.00 to
$42.00.
In
the wars in which our country has been
engaged the members of our Lodge have done their full share. Twenty-two
who
served on the side of the Union in the Civil War became members of the
Lodge.
Three who served in the United States forces in the Spanish-American
war of
1898 became members.
On
August 31, 1918, twenty-eight members
of our Lodge were in the armed forces of the United States and after
World War
I was over, twenty-three others who served in that war became members
of our
Lodge. In the present war we now have eight of our members, and before
the war
is won will, no doubt, have many more, as in our membership we have
thirty-three between the ages of 21 and 35; sixty-eight from 35 to 45,
one
hundred eighteen from 45 to 65, and twenty-four over 65 years of age,
and these
oldsters are the only ones now exempt from service in the armed forces
or
employment in essential war work.
As
a reward for continuous membership for
50 years,
Brothers
Arthur H. Perry,
Frank
D. Carpenter, Joseph P. Peltz,
Elisha S. Loomis and Dayton T. Gould
have
been honored by receiving the 50
year veterans medal awarded by the Grand Lodge of Ohio. Brother Gould,
who is
95 years of age, is our oldest living member and is expected to be
present on
this occasion. Our Lodge also had another veteran
member, Brother Edward J. Kennedy, who died
before the Grand Lodge honors were awarded. He was a continuous member
for 57
years.
Our
Lodge membership was only eight in
1867 and had increased to seventy-five in 1874, when it gradually fell
off to
fifty-six in 1897, increased to a high of two hundred seventy-three in
1930,
decreased to one hundred eighty-seven in 1934, and is now two hundred
forty-three.
On
only one occasion has our Lodge been
honored by presence of a Grand Master and that was on December 22,
1869, when
M. W. Grand Master A. H. Newcomb was received in due form. Other Past
Grand
Masters have visited our Lodge as follows: On September 9, 1881, Past
Grand
Master Charles A. Woodward was present and conducted the funeral
services for
Wore Bro. S. Y. Wadsworth, a Past Master of our Lodge. On March 22,
1935, Past
Grand Master James B. Ruhl accompanied the District Lecturer on his
official
visit, and on November 26, 1937, Past Grand Master J. Phillip Perry was
present
and installed the officers of the Lodge.
On
September 27, 1940, a resolution was
adopted to amend the By-Laws making the annual dues $6.00 instead of
$5.00, and
on November 8, 1940, the By-Laws were amended by resolution increasing
the fee
for affiliation from $5.00 to $6.00.
On
October 10, 1941, a resolution was
adopted to create a Temple Fund by setting aside certain monies now in
a frozen
bank account and adding thereto $25.00 of the fees from each and every
candidate raised each year, and 50 percent of each year’s
surplus.
The
said funds are to be used for no
other purpose, except in an emergency and then only by a three-fourths
vote of
the members voting.
On
February 27, 1942, a motion prevailed
that the Temple Committee be authorized to purchase a building lot
located at
291 Front Street, from the estate of our late Brother C. F. Lane.
On
March 27, 1942, the Shrine Past
Masters and Fellowcraft Club of Al Koran Temple were in attendance and
exemplified the Master Mason degree on one candidate.
In
the seventy-five years of its
existence, Berea Lodge has raised 530 to the sublime degree of Master
Mason.
The largest number in any one year being for the fiscal year ending
July 31,
1920, when twenty-seven were raised. There were six different years,
all before
1893, in which no candidates were raised.
At
the time Berea Lodge was rounding out
its first seventy-five years of work, the United States was in the
midst of an
all-out war against the Axis powers. At the Lodge meeting of December
12, 1941
(five days after Pearl Harbor was attacked) the minutes reveal the
following
resolution was passed:
"
"Whereas,
our Nation is at war, be
it resolved: That, this Lodge hereby registers its approval and support
of the
Nation's declaration, and pledges unswerving loyalty to the United
States of
America and her Allies.
Be
it further resolved:
That
a copy of these resolutions be
spread upon our minutes and that a copy, bearing the seal of this
Lodge, be
sent to the President of the United States, Franklin Delano
Roosevelt.”
The
Lodge remembered the brethren serving
in the armed forces in various ways, including the creation of a
military
service fund to send Christmas gifts to members of Berea Lodge and
their sons,
the writing of many letters, and the remittance of the dues of
servicemen who
were members of the Lodge (resolved December 10, 1943). In addition,
Series F
$1,000 War Bonds were purchased at various times during the war. It
should also
be noted that in October, 1943 Berea Lodge opened its Club Rooms to
servicemen
in the V-12 Program at Baldwin-Wallace College in order to furnish
recreational
facilities for these young men.
During
the turbulent war years it became
more and more apparent that a new Lodge meeting place or a new Temple
was needed.
The prospect of higher rents, the need for adequate space, and the
desire of a
more modern, safer structure, prompted the members to think in terms of
moving.
The minutes of Berea Lodge for November 27, 1942 show the creation of a
Masonic
Temple Corporation as follows:
"RESOLUTION
FOR THE CREATING OF A
MASONIC TEMPLE CORPORATION
Whereas
it appears to be desirable that
Berea Lodge #382 endeavor to secure a new temple, or lease a new lodge
room for
the use of said lodge, and for the use of Berea Chapter #134 and White
Rose
Chapter #176, O.E.S. Therefore, be it resolved that Berea Lodge #382 adopt the following,
which shall
authorize those hereinafter specified to incorporate a corporation, not
for
profit, under the laws and statutes of Ohio, said corporation to be
known as
Berea Masonic Temple Corporation, and to have an authorized capital
stock of
$35,000.00 It shall be governed by a Board of Trustees numbering nine,
including the Worshipful Master, High Priest, and Worthy Matron of the
Berea
Masonic orders."
Elections
for the above Temple Board of
Trustees brought the following members as the first Temple Board:
C.
H. Damon and C. R. Feight, to serve
for a three year term;
L.
A. Fowles and A. E. Grover, to serve
for a two year term;
D.
T. Burns and J. S. Simpson, to serve
for a one year term.
In
addition to these six, the Worshipful
Master (A. H. Williams), the High Priest (A. T.
Ries), and the Worthy
Matron (Mrs. L. H. Maechtel), completed the membership of the Board.
Upon the
resignation of L. A. Fowles, D. H. Hopkins was elected in his place.
Between
1942 and 1944 the feeling
developed that the recently purchased lot at 291 Front Street be sold
and a
resolution to that effect was passed on June 25, 1944. On September 22,
1944
the Secretary announced that the lot had been sold. A new location for
a future
temple now had to be found.
As
World War II came to a close Brother
Arthur Gohlke was appointed to represent Berea Lodge at a Chamber of
Commerce
meeting to discuss a city memorial for World War II veterans. The
months
immediately after the end of the conflict found much activity in the
Lodge. The
Eastern Stars were asked to make 100 new white aprons and 36 pairs of
gloves,
and it was recommended that the custodian repair broken window latches
in the
Lodge room. The Lodge continued to buy Series F Savings Bonds of $1000
denomination in order to furnish income for a future Temple. The Lodge
year
1946-1947 saw new memberships increase, with 46 members initiated and
37
raised.
Minutes
for April 25, 1947 indicate that
Wor. Bro. Clough recommended that the Charter and Holy Bible of the
Lodge be
kept in a fireproof safe. Pending adoption of that safety measure the
Charter
was placed in the safe deposit box of the Secretary at the Bank of
Berea.
November
8, 1947 was another milestone in
that Berea Lodge attended the first Inspection of the Berea Assembly
Order of
Rainbow Girls. At this same time (November 14, 1947) the records show
that
Berea Lodge was paying the following rental costs: Lodge Room ...$600
per year;
Club Rooms ...$360 per year. The year 1948 saw two more $1000 bonds
purchased,
one for the Lodge, the other for the Temple Company. On September 24,
1948 the
total fees to be collected was raised from $75.00 to $86.00, and new
membership
showed strong gains. The Recapitulation Report for 1948 showed 55
members
raised, and the year 1949 had 43 raised. The year 1949 also included
the
bestowing of Honorary Membership in Berea Lodge for Most Worshipful
Brother
Alpheus A. Stephens and Deputy Grand Master William R. Pringle.
The
next five years witnessed a growing
demand for a new Temple, the acquisition of a site, and the actual
construction
of the beautiful new Temple we now enjoy. Much of the dynamic
leadership in
getting a new Temple started came from the Berea Chapter #134 Royal
Arch Masons
and White Rose Chapter #176, Order of Eastern Stars as well as from
Berea
Lodge. In December, 1949 the monthly publication of Berea Lodge made
its first
appearance, as Volume I, No.1 of the "Compass" was issued. Brother
Harry Bishop served as the Editor. An interesting review of the
building of the
Temple can be obtained by taking excerpts from the various issues of
the
"Compass" for the years 1950 to 1954. For example, this article
appeared in the September, 1950 issue:
"TEMPLE”
"Brethren,
how much are YOU
interested in securing a new Masonic Temple in Berea? 'It's later than
you
think.' Let's all get behind the Temple Board and contact Bro. Kraft
and say,
'Bob we want that Temple - we're all with you - lets go!”
At
the meeting of November 24, 1950
Brother Robert Kraft informed the brethren that a lot had been obtained
on
Eastland Road, opposite the Methodist Children's Home in Berea, as the
future
site of the Berea Masonic Temple. Moreover, Brother D. M. Ziegler
presented a
plan that had been used very successfully by other Lodges for raising
funds to
erect the building. The Temple committee immediately began working on
architectural drawings for the Temple, and by April, 1951 Brother Kraft
announced that the Worshipful Grand Master and his committee had
unanimously
approved the purchase of the above-mentioned lot. By September, 1951
the
"Compass" reported:
"Progress,
progress, progress,
that's what's been going on all summer months. We are periodically
having
meetings with our architects deciding on the variations that may arise.
The
working plans are well under way. At present they are working on
various roof
designs and steel roof trusses….”
A
brother on a stroll along Eastland Road
in the Fall of 1951 could describe the lot and proposed Temple in the
following
manner:
"Corner
stakes showed the lot size
to be 140 feet wide and 301 feet deep. ..."The drawings call for a
brick
veneer construction with a goodly portion of the front of sandstone,
with four
large pillars at the entrance. The Lodge Room proper is to be 45 feet
wide and
63 feet deep with a balcony, a full basement. ...The way building costs
are
today we all know they are not any better than they were a few years
ago, nor
does it look to be a let up for the future. This is going to cost us
all
sacrifices in order that this Temple might come to a reality in the
very near
future."
By
February, 1952 it was reported that
Worshipful Brother Hans Olsen had accepted appointment as chairman of
the
Building Committee and Brother Bert Webb the appointment as chairman of
the
Finance Committee, and by May, 1952 brochures describing the Temple
Company and
its objectives were mailed to all members of the Lodge. Brother Howard
Gaub
donated his services as printer.
June,
1952 found the Temple Company
really getting under way with a "kick-off" dinner held at the First
Congregational Church on Thursday evening, June 19. Cost of the dinner
was
$2.50, and it was attended by 125 persons. An inspirational message by
R. W.
Brother Colin B. Montis was very well received, and pledges and
donations
amounting to $4100 were obtained that evening. In addition, the project
received a boost in the following way:
("Compass"
for September, 1952)
"Many thanks to Bro. Ray Saylor and his wife, Lila, for the splendid
corn
roast and eat-together he held for the Temple Co. committees and
members of
Berea Lodge. Orchids to Bro. Saylor for the fine spirit, it gives us a
lot of
inspiration and enthusiasm for the new temple."
By
the Fall of 1952 the lot had been
cleared of trees and weeds, and the stumps were ready to be moved.
Contributions for the Temple were coming in at an "average" rate, and
$10,000 more was needed in order to break ground.
During
these busy months of the early
1950's there were other noteworthy items not connected with the
building of the
Temple. On October 13, 1950 it was moved and seconded that there be 11
new
Officers' aprons and jewels purchased.
On
March 10, 1950 it was announced that
Berea Lodge would confer the Master Mason Degree for Strongsville
Lodge, U.D.
on their first candidate (to be conducted on March 15, 1950). The next
year, on
May 11, 1951 a petition for dispensation to form a new Lodge known as
Maple
Heights Lodge, U.D. was granted unanimously, with 31 voting. A charter
for this
Lodge was granted on October 18, 1951. At the same time (October 4,
1951) a
resolution was passed to raise the fees for degrees to $110.00 and the
fee for
affiliation to $10.00. By the close of 1952 a resolution was also
passed which
would remit the dues of Berea's 50-year members.
As
the Lodge entered 1953 the January
issue of the "Compass" reported the good news that sewer and water
lines were in, and plans were being projected to begin the new Temple
no later
than March of 1953. Furthermore, some $2000 worth of cement block were
on the
lot and it was stressed that orders for steel be placed in order to be
ready
for delivery in May. The cash on hand necessary to start construction
was
deemed to be $35,000 and that figure had not yet been reached. On
January 2,
1953 an agreement was signed and mailed to the successful bidder for
all the
structural steel fabricated and erected for the Temple (nearly $26,000).
A
memorable day in the history of Berea
Lodge was Sunday, March 8, 1953 when ground breaking for the new Temple
occurred. A description of the event was reported thusly:
"With the temperature not too severe it was held in the midst of a heavy snowfall which made quite a beautiful setting for our amateur photographers. The ceremony started with the invocation by Rev. Barss followed by a message from Wor. Bro. Harrison Sloane. The Scripture, taken from the Book of Kings, read by Wor. Bro. T. C. Cooley, followed by a few remarks from the architect, Chester Lowe. Wor. Bro. Bob Kraft presented the crowbar to Mrs. Walter Mischnik, who represented the Eastern Stars. She drove it into the ground and loosened it; Bro. Carl Rozelle, representing the Chapter, did likewise with the pickax. The spade was given to Bro. Ray Saylor who broke the ground by turning over the first spadeful of soil, Wor. Bro. David Hopkins, the second, and Wor. Bro. H. P. Olsen, the third. Dedication followed by Rev. Barss and the benediction by our Chaplain, Wor. Bro. H.P. Olsen. The tools used in the ceremonies are the ones used in our Chapter degree work and date back to 1870.”
On March 25, 1953, excavation for the new Temple began. Practically all the inside work was planned to be done by the brethren themselves, in order to keep the costs down.
During the Spring of 1953, work on the Temple progressed at a fairly good rate, although rainy weather greatly handicapped the construction efforts. By June it could be reported that all the masonry work up to the first floor level would be completed within the next two weeks and the erection of the structural steel would start as it was dry enough for the steel to be hauled in. The Summer months of 1953 saw further progress, and the following quotation furnishes an idea of the great effort expended:
“…To date
(September, 1953) we have spent about $54,000., and I'm sure
if you would come and look things over you'll agree we have gone a long
way and
have a lot for our money .... Blood, sweat and tears, but work on the
Temple
continues. The weather recently would make a Spartan sob yet the sound
of
hammers and saws can be heard from morning till night ....”
The above mentioned effort was
supplemented by the ladies of the
Eastern Star who collected sales tax stamps for redemption, the cash
going
toward the construction of the Temple. Moreover, the ladies took over
the
responsibility of operating the refreshment stand and check
room at the
Saturday night dances held in the agricultural building at the Berea
Fair
Grounds to gain additional funds.
The very significant laying of the
cornerstone for Berea's new Temple
took place on Sunday, September 27, 1953 and the day was described in
this
fashion:
“…The day started with a very gloomy look. We rushed desperately that morning to find all the canvas we could get our hands on to be spread upon the ground for people to walk on should it rain. However, about one o'clock the sun shone through the clouds and guaranteed everyone perfect weather for the afternoon. The crowd started to gather early in the afternoon. Lodge was declared open by our Most Worshipful Grand Master, Thomas A. Reber, at our old Temple. Immediately thereafter we assembled out into the street and marched to our new Temple for the ceremonies of laying the cornerstone.
The Al Sirat Grotto of Cleveland
led the parade as color bearers,
followed by Knights Templar color guard and a wonderful group of Sir
Knights.
The EL Ray Grotto band of Elyria followed, led by two majorettes ....
Berea
Shrine Club Master Masons, Past Masters and present Masters followed.
"Struttin" Tom Koncar, acting in the capacity of the Grand Tyler,
certainly picked 'em up and laid them down with dignity as he led the
various
officers of the Grand Lodge in the parade.
We all arrived at the new Temple about 3:15 P.M. The Most Worshipful Grand Master immediately proceeded in the laying of the cornerstone. The ceremony was impressive, precise and very well performed."
According to an article in the
Cleveland Plain Dealer, the next day,
there were some 700 persons in attendance for the ceremony. As a point
of
interest it should be mentioned that the trowel used by the Worshipful
Grand
Master for the laying of the cornerstone is now on display in the Lodge
showcase.
As the year 1953 drew to a close
the Temple roof was completed, the
basement ramp and the first floor were covered with concrete, the rough
plumbing was in the basement and the two furnaces to heat the
basement were in
place. Money matters were a concern at the time, for in December, 1953
it was
reported that the Lodge had outstanding bills amounting to twenty
thousand
dollars.
Early in 1954
a summary of the finances revealed this status:
“ … The
amount of money spent by the Temple Co. up to December 31, 1953, was
$71,112.46. It is
estimated another $25,000.00 is needed to complete construction .... "
Indebtedness
certificates were issued, totaling $3,575.00 in the year. In addition,
money
was obtained through the "Annual Ladies Night" consisting of a dinner
and entertainment. This source of income netted $900.00 for the Temple
fund. At
the meeting of February 26, 1954 a number of donations of $25.00 each
were made
by the brethren to furnish the dining room of the new Temple with
tables, which
cost $25.00 per table. And of course periodic appeals were made for
help in the
labor on the new Temple. By the 28th of May, 1954 it was announced that
plans
called for moving into the new Temple by the end of June. The meeting
of June
25, 1954 was the last meeting held in the old Temple, and some of the
business
transacted included the sale of the carpet and two stoves to one of the
brethren. In addition, it was agreed to donate 100 folding chairs in
that Lodge
room to the Temple Company for use in the new Lodge. Finally, it was
announced
that all movable property of the Lodge would be moved to the new Temple
during
the coming week.
The meeting of Berea Lodge held on
September 10, 1954 was a most
memorable one, for on that evening the first Lodge opened in the new
Temple.
The meeting was opened by Wor. Bro. Robert M. Kraft, who had honor
extended to
him for his untiring efforts in the construction of the Temple. A
dispensation
from the Grand Lodge, signed by Most Worshipful John L. Guss, Grand
Master, was
read. This dispensation was to permit the holding of meetings in the
new Temple
until October 15, 1954. On November 12, 1954 a dispensation
from Grand Master
Ed. W. Kuns was read, permitting the Lodge to hold meetings until the
Temple
was dedicated. It was also in 1954 that a Council of Royal and Select
Masters,
to be known as Triangle Council, U. D. was formed and petitioners were
sought.
The first Installation of Officers
in the new Temple occurred on
December 10, 1954 with Wor. Bro. Bertrum E. Webb as Worshipful
Master. One
hundred and ninety brethren were present for this historic occasion.
Just five
days later another first in the new Temple was the raising of the first
member
to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. The candidate was Bro. William
M.
Williams, raised by Wor. Bro. Robert M. Kraft. To round out a busy
month, the
first Christmas Party in the new Temple was held in the dining room.
The New Year
of 1955 began with a "Victory Dinner" held on January 22 and the
event was a huge success. A total of $2,500.00 was raised from the
dinner plus
donations made at the time. Another very fine donation during this
month was a
51 volume set of
The Ohio Archaeological and Historical Society to be used in the new
Lodge
Library.
Carpeting for the Lodge room was a
major consideration in early 1955,
and the cost was estimated to be $3,600.00. By March, 1955 the
carpeting was
ordered.
The dedication of Berea's new
Temple took place on October 8, 1955 at
3:55PM
and
was described in the
November issue of the "Compass" in this manner:
"Prior
to opening of Lodge, Holy Grail Commandery, NO.70 Knights Templar
posted
colors. There were more than 100 brethren present at the afternoon
program over
which Most Worshipful Brother William R. Pringle presided. The
dinner was
attended by nearly 300 Masons and their ladies, with Mayor and Mrs.
Manning as
our guests. Mayor Manning extended official greetings to all.
The evening program
was highlighted by groups of vocal, violin and organ numbers and a very
inspiring address by M. W. Bro. Pringle.
Other Past Grand Masters in attendance for the dedication ceremony were Most Worshipful Brothers James J. Harbage and Carl Ellenwood.
TEMPLE as of 1967
It was also
in 1955 that Berea Lodge received a new Hammond organ, which was
donated by Mr.
and Mrs. George E. Beach as a memorial to their son John. This
wonderful
contribution to the Temple was delivered May 26, 1955.
The spirit of giving which so
prevailed during the 1950's, as the new
Temple was being built, continued as various furnishings were also
donated. In
February, 1956, pedestals were made and donated to the Lodge by a
brother. A
resolution to purchase annually a Past Master's Jewel for the retiring
Master
was passed on March 9, 1956, and at approximately the same time it was
agreed
that March 17, 1956, St. Patrick's Day, be set aside for the revival of
the
Annual Swiss Steak Dinner sponsored by the Hiram Club. As Spring came,
a
resolution was passed whereby Honorary Membership in Berea Lodge should
be
granted to John W. Barclay, P. G. M. In October of 1956, 22 Past
Masters of
Berea Lodge were presented Past Masters aprons donated by the Hiram
Club. (This
practice is now done annually for each retiring Master.)
Further donations to the Lodge came
in 1957 as altar and pedestal
cloths were given by a brother, and later in the same year gavels were
presented and the chairs in the East, West and South were refinished
and
donated by two brethren.
The inflationary trend of the
1950's was reflected in the raising of
Lodge dues in September, 1957. At that time the annual dues were
increased from
$10.00 to $12.00, and the fees for affiliation were raised from $10.00
to
$25.00. Both of the above increases were to become effective at the
November
annual meeting in 1957.
As the Lodge entered the year 1958,
Wor. Bros. Floyd Storey and Frank
Williamson, Bros. Raymond Heckel and Norman Schiefelbein, and
Worshipful
Master Baxter Beaton traveled to New London, Ohio to purchase a
complete set of
Fellowcraft robes. The set, costing $450.00, was paid for by the Hiram
Club
whose funds came exclusively from their Annual Ladies' Night Steak
Dinner. In
September of 1958 the following resolutions were passed: (1)
that the Lodge
pay the expenses of the Junior Warden and Senior Warden to Grand Lodge,
(2)
that Lodge pay the Secretary's expense to the Secretaries' Association
meeting
each year, (3) that Berea Lodge, hold an Annual Picnic and Annual
Christmas
Party with Berea Chapter #134, Triangle Council #139 and White Rose
Chapter
#176, O.E.S. and these groups share expenses, and (4) that Berea Lodge
present
the Junior Warden a Code at Installation time. The next month it was
decided
that the Lodge have 1,000 copies of the ByLaws printed and
mailed to all the
members. At the meeting of December 12, 1958 the retiring Master
presented a
lapel pin to the Installed Master with the admonition that the pin be
passed on
to succeeding Masters of the Lodge. The November, 1958 issue of the
"Compass" told of a "Memory Album" being presented to the
Lodge on October 24, the album consisting of the pictures of 98 of the
brothers
of Berea Lodge who had had their photographs taken earlier by the Allen
Studios
of Detroit. The album also contains a montage of the officers and is a
worthwhile addition to the archives of the Lodge.
Another donation was received in
Berea Lodge when a brother presented a
cabinet for Past Masters' Aprons on April 10, 1959, and a year later
Wor. Bro.
Storey (President of the Temple Company) was presented with a
50-star flag for
use by the adult bodies meeting in the Lodge room. Eighteen brethren
who were
veterans of World War I, World War II, and the Korean conflict served as
honor guard while
the colors were being posted.
Meanwhile, continued inflation
brought still another increase in the
dues. As of the first meeting in November, 1959 the members of
Berea Lodge
were to pay $15.00 in annual dues.
Wor. Bro. Robert M. Kraft was
recognized for his time and untiring
effort by being given a lifetime appointment to the Temple Board on May
22,
1959.
Embarking on the 1960's the Lodge
was the recipient of still further
donations, the Hiram Club presenting a 16 mm. Bell and Howell movie
projector,
and a brother a taper lighter. In addition, chair trucks, sand jars and
ash
trays were received. During the year Wor. Bro. Wesley Buehl was Master
the
Lodge saw fit to raise the fees for the conferring of the degrees to
$130.00,
this measure being passed on March 24, 1961. In May the Officers'
Aprons now
being worn were purchased, and these were presented to Berea Lodge via
Bro.
Norman Schiefelbein to Wor. Bro. Buehl in November.
By the Fall of 1962 still another
generous donation was made to the
Lodge, this time in the form of a public address system
installed in the Lodge
Room. A thoughtful brother provided this facility.
Another Honorary Membership was
conferred in 1963. A special meeting
held on June 29, 1963 bestowed this honor on Right Worshipful Brother
Colin B.
Montis, in recognition of his zealous and distinguished Masonic
services.
In the Spring of 1964, a brother
presented the Lodge with a handsome
desk which he had built and finished. This fine piece of furniture is
now in
use in our Lodge anteroom.
Wor. Bro. Robert Ingebo's year as
Master of the Lodge included the
most welcome news that the new Temple had been paid for. The February,
1965
issue of the "Compass" reported the glad tidings in this manner:
"Our first
stated meeting of the New Year was held on January 8th, and I am happy
to
report that during this meeting we were informed that the indebtedness
on Berea
Temple is now a thing of the past. The Temple Company has now met all the present
financial obligations. Wor. Bro. Robert M. Kraft, who recently retired
as
president of the Temple Board, was the bearer of this good report. As a
result
the members of Berea Lodge voted to contribute $1000 to an
endowment fund set
up by the Temple Company for future maintenance. An initial
contribution was
made by one of the brethren and others will follow . . . . "
The rapidity with which the new
Berea Temple was paid for is indeed a
tribute to the spirit and initiative of the members of Berea Lodge,
Berea
Chapter, and the White Rose Chapter of the Eastern Star! Without the
tremendous
expenditure of effort and the fine cooperation of the brethren who
unselfishly
gave of their time, strength and skill in constructing the new Temple,
and the
generosity of others in donating both money and furnishings,
Berea Lodge would
not be the handsome edifice it is today. Most certainly this structure
represents the finest of Masonic virtues.
The year 1966 saw much effort
expended toward maintenance of the
Temple, both inside and out, in order to keep the building and property
in good
condition as well as attractive. Brothers donated much time on
various
painting projects, and during the Summer months the kitchen
ceiling and walls
were given a fresh coat of paint as were the dining room, the stage,
and the
stairwells.
The Annual Christmas Party held on
December 17, 1966 had 300 in
attendance, the largest turnout yet for this happy affair.
As the Centennial Year for Berea
Lodge began, a brother donated new
electric lanterns for use by the Fellowcraft Team, and the Annual Steak
Dinner
of March 18 resulted in 476 delicious dinners being served,
another "full
house."
Additional maintenance and
improvements have continued during this
year, with repairs on the roof being made by the Temple Company and the
paving
of the parking lot under way. And of course the past year has included
various
committees working and planning for the Centennial Observance.
In conclusion it must be noted that
the original Charter issued to
Berea Lodge is to be displayed at the Reconsecration Ceremony, as well
as the
original Holy Bible presented to Berea Lodge. The Bible has the
inscription:
"Presented
to Berea Lodge No. 382 F. &
A. M. by S. S.
Brown, ag't of American Bible Society Dec. 10, 1867"
Now serving in its one hundredth year, Berea Lodge has received its 1000th petition, and is looking forward to perpetuating its work in the next century of operation.
BEREA LODGE No. 382. F. & A. M.
Brethren:
As a
Century
of Masonry in Berea Lodge draws to a close and we look back through the
records
in the archives one cannot be anything but impressed by the foresight
and
dedication of our brethren of one hundred years ago.
It must
have
been a joyous occasion when on October 16, 1867, a charter was
issued to Berea
Lodge #382 by the Grand Lodge F. &
A. M.
of Ohio. Since that time, by the practice of
Masonic ideals and principles, Masonry has flourished in Berea Lodge.
Through
the
years there were no doubt many problems, just as there are
today, but by Time,
Patience and Perseverance these problems were
resolved, and by so doing, the
links in the chain of Masonic teachings became stronger until the ties
of
Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth are what they are today.
To be a
small
part of such a long line of faithful servants of Berea Lodge
is an honor that
is regarded very highly.
As we
embark
on another century we ask the Great Architect to give guidance and
humility to
the generations ahead, that they might maintain the legacy we have
inherited.
Fraternally.
Fred W.
Starn
WORSHIPFUL MASTER
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August,
12,
1967
Mr.
Fred W.
Starn, W.M.
Berea
Lodge
No. 382 F &
A M
Berea,
Ohio
44017
Dear
Worshipful Brother Starn:
I
would like
to extend to you and the brethren of Berea Lodge No. 382 my most
sincere
congratulations, together with those of the Grand Lodge of Ohio in the
observance of your 100th anniversary.
Founded
shortly after the Civil War which was fought to determine the future of
our
nation, Berea Lodge has been an important landmark, and has continued
from its
modest beginnings to be one of the bright stars in the Masonic
firmament. In a
single sentence we could say, "Berea
Lodge
has
continued steadfast in well doing".
The
many
contributions, both fraternal and cultural, made by your Lodge is well
known.
It has been like a light set upon a hill in your Community. However,
the
history of the past should be but a foundation for the future. Berea
Lodge has
done well during its first century, but may we expect greater
accomplishments
from it in the future?
We
trust that
the next century may be even more successful and rewarding than the one
just
past.
Once
again, I
offer my congratulations and best wishes.
Fraternally
yours,
Ben
R. Evans
Most
Worshipful Grand Master
CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE
ROBED DEGREE TEAMS - 1967
PASTMASTERS BEREA LODGE - FIRST 100 YEARS
