Difference between revisions of "Loyalty"

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LOYALTY LODGE

Location: Jamaica Plain; Hyde Park (1963)

Chartered By: Arthur D. Prince

Charter Date: 09/14/1921 1921-264

Precedence Date: 09/21/1920

Current Status: According to the 50th Anniversary history, Page 1970-411, the lodge met at the Centre Street, Jamaica Plain building with Eliot Lodge until September 1963, and then moved to 45 Fairmount Street, Hyde Park. merged with Realty Lodge to form Loyalty-Realty Lodge, 06/29/1983.

PAST MASTERS

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

• Petition for Dispensation: 1920
• Petition for Charter: 1921
• Consolidation Petition (with Realty Lodge): 1983

ANNIVERSARIES

• 1945 (25th Anniversary)
• 1970 (50th Anniversary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

• 1921 (Prince; Constitution of Lodge and installation; Special Communication)
• 1932 (Chipman; 3 visits)
• 1933 (Chipman; 2 visits)
• 1933 (Chipman)
• 1945 (Wragg; 25th Anniversary; Special Communication)
• 1970 (Jaynes; 50th Anniversary; Special Communication)
• 1971 (Jaynes; 2 visits; Ladies' Night, installation)
• 1974 (Vose)
• 1983 (Deputy Grand Master Meldon E. Niemi; Consolidation; Special Communication)

BY-LAW CHANGES

1923 1927 1930 1936 1937 1945 1950 1953 1959 1961 1968 1969 1972

HISTORY

• 1945 (25th Anniversary History, 1945-135)
• 1970 (50th Anniversary History, 1970-408)

25TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, MAY 1945

From Proceedings, Page 1945-135:

By Right Worshipful James Keltie.

I will try, as briefly as possible, to outline the history of Loyalty Lodge for the past twenty-five years, with the hope that it may be interesting now, and of value to the Brethren twenty-five years hence.

The introduction, as published in the copy of our By-Laws, states that in 1916 a committee of three Past Masters of Eliot Lodge, namely: John A. McKim, Lawson W. Oakes and James Keltie, were appointed to consider the question of apartments, reporting later, in part, that immediate steps should be taken for the formation of a new Lodge so that it might be able, when the time came, to share with us the expense of our present or any future apartments, and Eliot Lodge so voted. The membership of the Lodge was then about four hundred. In common with other Lodges, the membership increased rapidly during the World War period. In 1920, the membership of Eliot Lodge had increased about fifty per cent in four years.

No action having been taken to carry out the desired work of establishing a new Lodge, the original committee of 1916 volunteered to undertake the work, and were duly authorized to act. The authorization and consent of Eliot Lodge having been granted, the aforesaid committee, in the spring of 1920, started to work.

Previous to this formation period, Most Worshipful Melvin M. Johnson had been constantly advocating the formation of new and smaller Lodges. It was his contention that in a Lodge of smaller membership there would be more real friendship and mutual interest than in a large unwieldy Lodge. Accordingly, the committee undertook the task of organizing a new Lodge.

Right Worshipful Brother John McKim was so proud of the name "Eliot" that he earnestly hoped at some future date there might be four more Lodges in the district whose first initials would eventually spell the name of his mother Lodge. Hence, the second letter in Eliot being "L," the new Lodge was instituted April 27, 1920, and was christened "Loyalty." What a name to build upon and what a challenge! Not only that we be loyal to our Lodge, but to each other and to the lessons and principles of Freemasonry.

The success attained during the formation of the Lodge was entirely due to the untiring and unselfish efforts of our late Brother, Right Worshipful John McKim. Due to his knowledge of Masonry and the details involved, we were able, under the jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, to establish Loyalty Lodge with seventy Charter Members. Most Worshipful Arthur D. Prince, presiding Grand Master, granted us a dispensation on September 27, 1920, when we were instituted with the following officers:

• R.W. James Keltie, Worshipful Master
• James D. Robertson, Senior Warden
• Curtis Chipman, Junior Warden
• George W. Shepherd, Treasurer
• Henry S. Adams, Secretary
• Rev. Raymond H. Kendrick, Chaplain
• George A. Craig, Marshal
• Bert E. Holland, Senior Deacon
• Fred P. Kinney, Junior Deacon
• Oliver P. Greenwood, Senior Steward
• Donald McNiven, Junior Steward
• Ralph W. Guillow, Inside Sentinel
• George T. West, Tyler
• William J. Samsel, Organist

Our Mother Lodge most generously granted us the use of their apartments and regalia for one year gratis.

During our first year, the Lodge was the recipient of many gifts from our members, namely: the Square and Compasses, the Hiram Abiff Collar, the Gavel and Holy Bible, as also several cash contributions to start our charity fund. When Brother Robertson was installed Master, he presented the Lodge with the officers' aprons and collars and Brother John A. Salman gave us a Charter case.

We were honored on several occasions by fraternal visits by Most Worshipful Brothers Melvin M. Johnson and Leon M. Abbott. The inspiration we derived from their sincere talks benefited us greatly.

Loyalty Lodge has been honored by being represented in the Grand Lodge by a Grand Master, Most Worshipful Curtis Chipman, and a District Deputy Grand Master, Right Worshipful Thomas Nelson.

Worshipful Brother Bellingham, raised in Loyalty Lodge, was the first of our candidates to become Worshipful Master. On October 6, 1921, Loyalty Lodge was duly constituted by Most Worshipful Arthur D. Prince, assisted by R. W. Claude L. Allen, Deputy Grand Master, R. W. Frank E. Swain, Senior Grand Warden, R. W. Frank T. Taylor, acting Junior Grand Warden, R.W. Frank W. Dobson, Grand Marshal, Right Worshipful Frederick W. Hamilton, Grand Secretary, Wor. and Rev. R. Perry Bush, Grand Chaplain, Wor. Frederick L. Putnam, Grand Lecturer, Wor. Fred A. Leavitt, Senior Grand Deacon, Wor. Frank L. Simpson, Junior Grand Deacon, Wor. Franklin C. Jillson, Senior Grand Steward, Wor. George M. Rogers, Junior Grand Steward and Wor. George M. Chester, Grand Tyler.

Upon the arrival of the Grand Officers, dinner was served and a most enjoyable hour was spent. Selections by the Harvard Quartet, music by Magee's Orchestra and community singing helped on this momentous occasion. After dinner, the company repaired to the lodge-room, where the ceremonies of constitution and installation took place.

For these twenty-five years, Loyalty Lodge has been like one happy family, carrying out the edicts of the Most Worship-fa! Grand Lodge. The growth has not been spectacular, but steady and healthy. At the present time many of our members are in the Armed Forces of our country, and from reports received, are serving with distinction.

My report would not be complete without mentioning the sincere efforts of our Brother, Worshipful Lawson W. Oakes, to make this evening a success. He has gladly given of his time and energy and we certainly appreciate it.

During the address of the Most Worshipful Grand Master at the time of the constitution of Loyalty Lodge, he remarked that the Lodge was bound to be a success due to the caliber of the men among its Charter Members, such as: Wor. Fred Seaver, Wor. Lawson W. Oakes, R.W. James Keltie, R.W. Arthur A. Sondheim, Judge Bert E. Holland, Judge John Perrina, Hon. Gasper G. Bacon, Brothers Frank B. Lawler, Ethelbert V. Grabill, Dr. James D. Robertson, Dr. Orville R. Chadwell, and last, but not least, R.W. John A. McKim.

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

• Maxwell M. Brenton, DDGM, District 4 (Boston), 1999, 2000; N
• Curtis Chipman, Deputy Grand Master 1925, Grand Master 1932-1934
• Elliot J. Gillard, DDGM, District 4 (South Boston), 1985, 1986; N
• James Keltie, DDGM, District 4 (South Boston), 1911, 1912; N
• Andrew Markhard, DDGM, District 4 (South Boston), 1961, 1962; N
• Thomas Nelson, DDGM, District 4 (South Boston), 1940, 1941; SN
• Thomas J. O'Brien, DDGM, District 4 (South Boston), 1973, 1974
• Melvin Ravitz, DDGM, District 4 (Boston), 1991, 1992
• William E. Turkington, DDGM, District 4 (South Boston), 1953, 1954; N

DISTRICTS

1920: District 4 (South Boston)

1927: District 4 (South Boston)

LINKS

Massachusetts Lodges