Difference between revisions of "HydePark"

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HYDE PARK LODGE

Location: Hyde Park

Chartered By: Charles C. Dame

Charter Date: 12/13/1866 VII-109

Precedence Date: 02/01/1866

Current Status: merged with Eliot Lodge to form Eliot-Hyde Park Lodge, 09/04/1986. Now a part of Celestial Lodge.

PAST MASTERS

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

• Petition for Dispensation: 1866
• Petition for Charter: 1866
• Consolidation Petition (with Eliot Lodge): 1986

ANNIVERSARIES

• 1941 (75th Anniversary)
• 1966 (Centenary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

• 1866 (Dame; Constitution of Lodge and installation; see below)
• 1879 (Welch)
• 1881 (Lawrence; installation)
• 1883 (Lawrence; memorial service for Rt. Wor. Timothy Phelps)
• 1885 (Howland; hall dedication; Special Communication)
• 1893 (Acting Grand Master Shepard)
• 1895 (Holmes)
• 1941 (Schaefer; 75th Anniversary; Special Communication)
• 1966 (Booth; Centenary; Special Communication)
• 1974 (Vose; Grand Masonic Ball)
• 1975 (Maxwell; 2 visits; Blood Donors' Night and Ladies' Night)
• 1976 (Maxwell)
• 1977 (Maxwell)
• 1984 (Richardson; Ground breaking ceremony)
• 1986 (Richardson; Consolidation; Special Communication)

BY-LAW CHANGES

1871 1872 1874 1879 1887 1908 1917 1921 1922 1926 1927 1936 1942 1951 1958 1965 1967 1968 1970 1975

HISTORY

• 1941 (75th Anniversary History, 1941-19)
• 1966 (Centenary History, 1966-149)

75TH ANNIVERSARY, FEBRUARY 1941

From Proceedings, Page 1941-17:

By Wor. Kirke W. Walker:

Soon after the close of the Civil War, twenty-one Masons who resided in the vicinity of Hyde Park Village, Dorchester, conceived the idea of establishing a Masonic Lodge in Hyde Park. Some of them visited Union Lodge of Dorchester to "ascertain what objections, if any, said Lodge had to the formation of a Lodge in Hyde Park." Union Lodge had no objection, so the Brethren called on Most Worshipful Charles C. Dame, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts, who with pleasure issued a Dispensation stating that "he thought the Lodge had a good territory in which to work."

An organization meeting was held on February 8th, 1866, at which time many plans were made, including choosing a meeting night which was to be the third Thursday in the month and it has continued to be the third Thursday ever since. The fifteen Charter members were:

• Enoch P. Davis
• Charles F. Gerry
• Charles F. Jordan
• Samuel A. Bradbury
• William W. Colburn
• William U. Fairbairn
• N. Hebard
• James L. Vialle
• David S. Hill
• Timothy Phelps
• William A. Bullard
• Robert Campbell
• Francis H. Caffin
• Waldo E. Ward
• A. B. Galucia

The first regular communication was held in a small hall on River Street and was the only meeting held there. The second home was in a building at the corner of Fairmount Avenue and Nott Street, almost across the street from our present Temple, and "owing to the objection that the addition of a building thereto had made the deliberations of the Lodge liable to discovery by cowans and eavesdroppers," it was found necessary to move.

The Lodge next moved to a building at the corner of Harvard Avenue and River Street, until recently known as Liberty Hall. The first meeting in this hall was held October 18th, 1866, and it was dedicated December 21, 1866, by Most Worshipful Charles C. Dame, Grand Master, and the Officers of the Grand Lodge. At this meeting the Grand Master presented to the Worshipful Master of Hyde Park Lodge the Charter which was dated February 1, 1866, giving Hyde Park Lodge precedence as of that date. Previous to this time the Lodge had been operating under Dispensation.

The regular communication of January 17, 1867, had to be postponed on account of a snowstorm and to quote from the records, "was just such a snowstorm as our grand folks tell us happened every other day some eighty years before, but not such a snowstorm as we of the present day are called on to witness." The only members who arrived at the building that evening were the Master and Tyler who, finding a snowdrift higher than the door, decided it would be better to go back to their homes than to try to shovel away the drift. The above quotation is interesting because we still hear of the severe winters we had years ago. It proves that either our winters are becoming successively less severe or that the climate here has not changed much in the last two hundred years.

The first annual report of the Executive Committee and address of Worshipful Enoch P. Davis was very interesting and closed with these words, "May a long career of prosperity here await us and may our children's children set beneath this Vine which we have planted, may Brotherly Love prevail and every Moral and Social Virtue cement.us."

The first procession in which Hyde Park Lodge participated was St. John's Day, June 24, 1867, when they journeyed to Boston to assist in the dedication of a new Masonic Temple, and at which time they displayed a new banner which had been purchased, after much discussion as to whether or not the Lodge was financially able to make the purchase. The Lodge met at the Lodge-rooms and marched to the Boston, Hartford and Erie Railroad Station (the present Fairmount Station) where they boarded a special car which had been tastefully decorated with American flags and evergreens by Brother George Tucker, conductor of the train, at his own expense. This was a notable celebration in which some 12,000 Masons were in line. The parade took two hours to pass a given point.

On Sunday, October 22, 1871, a special communication was held to attend the funeral of Brother William Frederic Cole, a young man twenty-eight years old. They escorted the body from his home to the Baptist Church and marched to Mount Hope Cemetery, where the Masonic services were performed, and then marched back to the Lodge Hall, a distance of about two and a half miles each way. Besides the officers, there were sixty-seven Brethren present. The meeting opened at 1:00 o'clock p.m. and closed at 6:30. Those were stalwart Brethren. In those days, special communications were held on the evening before a funeral, at which time they appointed a resolutions committee and bearers, and when necessary, made provision for assistance to the widow and family. These resolutions were spread in full upon the records and in some cases a hand drawn Memorial was made and placed in the Record Book.

At the annual communication December 19, 1872, the Executive Committee reported the Lodge free from debt for the first time. Up to that time the Treasurer, William J. Stewart, had "taken up and borne the debts of the Lodge on his shoulders." These at times amounted to as much as $200. January 15, 1874, Brother Sylvanus Cobb, Jr., a member of Hyde Park Lodge and Past Master of Oxford Lodge No. 18 of Norway, Maine, approached the East and presented a Past Master's Jewel to the retiring Master, Worshipful Brother Henry S. Bunton. After Wor. Brother Bunton had made a speech of acceptance, Wor. Brother Cobb arose again and called attention to the fact that he had procured another Jewel, a duplicate of the one presented Wor. Brother Bunton and proceeded to affix it to the lapel of his own coat, remarking in a humorous manner that his old Lodge over which he had presided as Master, never loosened its purse strings sufficiently to bestow a Past Master's Jewel on him, and whereas he had received pecuniary consideration from Hyde Park Lodge for two years' service as Secretary, he had seen fit to apply it to the purchase of a Jewel, which he would consider a reward for Masonic service. Brother Cobb was a nationally known author. It is said that during the thirty years which he wrote, his writings would fill over a hundred volumes. About nine o'clock oil the morning of March 8th, 1883, the Town Hall Building (the upper part of which was occupied by Hyde Park Lodge) was found to be on fire. The building, together with all the property of the Masonic Fraternity contained in the building, was totally destroyed. Wor. Brother Henry S. Bunton succeeded in saving the Bible, Square and Compasses and the Charter. The loss was about $3000, the Lodge carrying $2000 insurance. The March, April and May communications of that year were held in the rooms of Constellation Lodge in Dedham, Massachusetts, by dispensation of the Grand Master. Communications of September, October, November and December of 1887 and January 1888 were held in Neponset Hall, which was located in what is now Logan Square. On February 21, 1881, the first meeting was held in the new Masonic Hall which was built for, but not owned, by Hyde Park Lodge and was located on River Street on the lot adjacent to Christ Episcopal Church. At a special communication held February 16, 1885, that Hall was dedicated by Most Worshipful Abraham H. Howland, Jr.j Grand Master, and the officers of the Grand Lodge. This was an open meeting at which ladies were present. The 22nd Anniversary of Hyde Park Lodge was celebrated February 1, 1888. There was an entertainment which included
mascc, recitations and an address by Rev. George Hill on "The
Historic Surroundings of the Masonic Order." After the enter
tainment the audience divided, some going to the Masonic
pBMjnet hall and some to the G. A. R, Hall, where in both places
■bcst excellent banquets were served. Later the party returned
bo the lodge-rooms "where an hour or more was devoted
to social development and listening to well-rendered organ
■Susie by C. A. Norris. There were 234 Brethren and ladies
present. * An interesting notice from the Grand Lodge was read in the Lodge December 20, 1894, stating that any Mason in this Jurisdiction who shall print, cause to be printed, buy or sell, cause to be bought or sold or who shall use or circulate any so-called cipher book shall be liable for expulsion. An unofficial visit was made to the Lodge November 21, 1895, hv Most Worshipful Edwin B. Holmes, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts. February 16, 1899, a Committee was appointed to investigate an offer of Brother French to rebuild his block on Fairmount Avenue to accommodate Hyde Park Lodge. The Committee reported in March, and after much discussion, it was voted not to accept Brother French's offer. It is interesting to note that the building we are now occupying is the building referred to. During the summer of 1899 extensive alterations and renovation of the Lodge apartments were made at a cost of $1500. About the turn of the century there seemed to be considerable trouble with clandestine Lodges in this Jurisdiction. September 18, 1902, a communication from the Grand Lodge stating that a clandestine Lodge bearing the name of "Ancient Landmark Lodge No. 1" was operating in Boston and that a resident of Hyde Park and a man residing in Waltham had been expelled from the rights and privileges of Masonry for their connection with this so-called Lodge. The Hyde Park man had never been a member of Hyde Park Lodge. On the flyleaf of Record Book, Volume V, is a list of 32 spurious concerns calling themselves Masonic Lodges, operating in Boston and vicinity. This list was dated August 30, 1904. In August 1907 a fire broke out in the kitchen of the Lodge Apartments, but by prompt work of the Fire Department, it was practically confined to one room. An adjustment was made with the Insurance Company for $671.50. The records stated the fire was a blessing in disguise for it enabled the Lodge to enlarge the kitchen and closets, making them more convenient. On October 16, 1913, Brother Olstin M. Higgins, who had been appointed a member of a Building Committee, placed before the Lodge a set of plans of a building which could be erected for $30,000, with an additional $5000 for land. The report was accepted by the Lodge and it was voted that the Committee continue until such time as they should be discharged. Brother Alden B. Hefler reported on December 18, 1913, that a circular letter had been sent to all members of the Lodge stating the plans for raising money and asked those members who could, to make pledges. He stated that less than 33% of the members replied and that only $2392 had been pledged. The Committee was of the opinion that it was not a favorable time for the erection of a building. The report was accepted and the Committee discharged. This, however, did not end the matter for on March 18, 1915, Brother Hugh J. Stockford, in a well worded address, informed the Lodge that the property known as French's Opera House could be purchased for the low price of $20,000, and with the expenditure of about $5,000, it could be transformed into an ideal home for the use of the Masonic Bodies. The sense of this meeting was that the buying of French's Opera House could be financed by a Building Association. Stock in the Building Association at $100 a share, bearing 4% interest, was sold to Masons and Masonic Bodies occupying the building. The dues of the Lodge were raised from $6.00 to/$8.00 and the extra $2.00 was used to buy up stock of the Association so that eventually all the stock would be owned by Hyde Park Lodge. At nuns times since, Brothers have presented some of their stock a» die Lodge. The first meeting in our new home was November 18, 1915. Tie Temple was dedicated December 10, 1915, by Most Wor-sUkTiul Melvin M. Johnson and the Officers of the Grand Lodge. if jie Park Lodge at last had a home of its own. Sixteen years previous we had considered the idea of using this building and «rfv two years before the Lodge members did not show enough interest to procure a home of our own, yet when what seemed to ie the right proposition presented itself, there was no difficulty no procuring the necessary funds. A service flag showing 53 stars, one being a gold star, was untried in the Lodge December 19, 1918. A dinner and reception wis given Nov. 14, 1919, to the men who served our country, alter which there was an entertainment. The years 1919, 1920 and 1921 were the busiest years of Hyde Park Lodge. In 1919 there were 10 regular and 22 special communications, during which time 42 candidates were raised and two joined the Lodge by affiliation. In 1920, besides the 10 regular communications there were 31 special communications; 60 candidates were raised and 5 members were added by affiliation. In 1921 there were 22 special communications in addition to the 10 regular; 50 candidates were raised and 2 members affiliated. During the height of a howling blizzard on the night of March 12, 1924, a fire broke out in our building, which put out of service all parts of the building except the Lodge-room, which was used until May, when workmen had to dismantle it to make the necessary repairs to the Temple. The June meetings were held in Pythian Hall. With $17,128 received from the Insurance Companies, many improvements were made and the building was then in better shape than ever before. During the summer of 1927 a fine Skinner Organ was installed in the Lodge-room from funds raised by the Brethren and the Masonic Bodies using the building, together with an appropriation from the treasury of the Lodge. The new organ was dedicated on October 11, 1927, to the members of Hyde Park Lodge who had served our Country in times of war. February 14, 1928, a fire broke out in the elevator shaft of the Temple, causing damage to the kitchen. Brother Edward J. Ellis in his records referred to it as a successful fire because it enabled us to remodel the kitchen, make several improvements .there and have the walls and ceiling of the lodge-room refinished. At our regular communication on February 16, 1928, letters were read from the Current Events Club and the Knights of Columbus offering Hyde Park Lodge the use of their quarters until our building could again be used, but as the damage was slight, our Secretary was instructed to "return our profuse thanks for their generosity and good fellowship and inform them that it would not be necessary to hold our meetings outside of our own building." During 1936, in order to escape certain income taxes, the Lodge voted to buy all the outstanding stock in Hyde Park Masonic Association. The action gave the Lodge complete ownership in our building. Since 1872, except for a kw years after the Town Hall fire, this Lodge has been clear of debt and nearly every year some addition has been made to the General and Charity Funds, so that now in addition to owning our own building, we have substantial amounts in both of these funds. During the years our membership has been as follows: Commencing with fifteen Charter members in 1866, at the end of

1867 1 year 52 members 1871 5 years 90 members 1876 10 years 113 members 1886 20 years 145 members 1891 25 years 167 members 1896 30 years 201 members 1916 50 years 382 members 1926 60 years 638 members 1936 70 years 491 members 1941 75 years 423 members The peak was reached in 1929 when we had 653 members. Hyde Park Lodge has been honored by having six of its members appointed District Deputies. They were as follows: Rt. Worshipful Henry S. Bunton . Rt. Worshipful Albert E. Bradley Rt. Worshipful Edward J. Ellis Rt. Worshipful Frederick G. Katzmann Rt. Worshipful Alden B. Hefler . Rt. Worshipful Howard E. Cluff . 1882 and 1883 1894 and 1895 1913 and 1914 1917 and 1918 1929 and 1930 1935 and 1936 This is the history of the first 75 years of Hyde Park Lodge. No better ending can be made than to quote again the words of our first Worshipful Master in his first annual report. "May a long career of prosperity await us and may our children's children sit beneath this Vine which we have planted, may Brotherly Love prevail and every Moral and Social Virtue cement us." We are those children's children that our Worshipful Brother referred to and may we all do our part in carrying on this program so that our children's children may have the advantage of the splendid virtues which have been nurtured here.

OTHER

• 1911 (Petition on jurisdiction; 1911-222)
• 1912 (Petition on jurisdiction; 1912-36)
• 1919 (Petition on release of jurisdiction; 1919-197)
• 1937 (Petition on reduction of fees; 1937-149)

EVENTS

CONSTITUTION OF LODGE, DECEMBER 1866

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XXVI, No. 6, April 1867, Page 174:

By some mistake or oversight, a notice we had prepared of the constituting of this Lodge at the proper time, failed to get into our pages. The ceremony took place on the evening of the 31st December last, in the presence of a large number of brethren. The ladies were admitted to witness the ceremony of installation; at the conclusion of which, the company were escorted to an adjacent hall, and partook of a handsomely spread collation.

The Lodge has a fine hall, neatly fitted up and furnished, and it is in the bands of enterprising and zealous brethren. Its roll of membership is large for a young Lodge, and bears the names of many of the most respectable and active men of the beautiful village in which it is located. The officers for the present year are as follows : —

• E. P. Davis, W. M.
• C. F. Gerry, S. W.
• William W. Colburn, J. W.
• S. A. Bradbury, Treasurer.
• Charles A. Jordan, Secretary.
• D. S. Hill, S. D.
• William U. Fairbairn, J. D.
• William A. Bullard, S. S.
• James L. Viallo, J. S.
• C. C. Bradbury, Chaplain.
• A. B. Galucia, Marshal.
• N. Hebard, I. S.
• Francis H. Caffin, Tyler.

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

• Albert E. Bradley, DDGM, District 22 (Hyde Park), 1895; Memorial
• Raynard Braverman, DDGM, District 25 (Hyde Park), 1981, 1982; SN
• Henry S. Bunton, DDGM, District 13 (Dedham), 1882;District 22 (Hyde Park), 1883; Memorial
• Howard F. Cluff, DDGM, District 25 (Hyde Park), 1935, 1936; N
• Edward J. Ellis, DDGM, District 25 (Hyde Park), 1913, 1914; Memorial
• Walter E. Hawley, DDGM, District 25 (Hyde Park), 1945, 1946; SN
• Alden B. Hefler, DDGM, District 25 (Hyde Park), 1929, 1930; Memorial
• Frederick G. Katzmann, DDGM, District 25 (Hyde Park), 1917, 1918; N
• James P. Mills, DDGM, District 25 (Hyde Park), 1975, 1976; SN
• Richard Ogilvie, DDGM, District 25 (Hyde Park), 1991, 1992
• Gordon W. Weddleton, DDGM, District 25 (Hyde Park), 1955, 1956; N

DISTRICTS

1866: District 12

1867: District 13 (Taunton)

1877: District 13 (Dedham)

1883: District 22 (Hyde Park)

1911: District 25 (Hyde Park)

1927: District 25 (Hyde Park)

LINKS

Massachusetts Lodges