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STAR OF BETHLEHEM LODGE

Location: Chelsea; Wakefield (1978)

Chartered By: Augustus Peabody

Charter Date: 06/11/1845 IV-740

Precedence Date: 12/08/1843

Current Status: Active. Note that this was the first lodge to petition for a charter following the anti-Masonic period and was the beginning of the renewed growth of the Masonic fraternity in Massachusetts.

PAST MASTERS

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

• Petition for Dispensation: 1843
• Petition for Charter: 1845
• Consolidation Petition (with Winthrop Lodge): 1995

ANNIVERSARIES

• 1893 (50th Anniversary)
• 1903 (60th Anniversary)
• 1943 (Centenary)
• 1968 (125th Anniversary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

• 1847 (Robinson; Constitution of Lodge and installation; see below)
• 1874 (Nickerson; Hall dedication; Special Communication; see below)
• 1879 (Welch)
• 1882 (Lawrence)
• 1885 (Howland)
• 1891 (Wells)
• 1893 (Acting Grand Master Shepard; 50th Anniversary, Hall dedication; Special Communication)
• 1903 (Sanford; 60th Anniversary)
• 1943 (Schaefer; Centenary; Special Communication)
• 1968 (Booth; 125th Anniversary; Special Communication)
• 1989 (Ames)
• 1993 (Senior Grand Warden John W. Hanson; 150th Anniversary; Special Communication)
• 1995 (Lovering; Consolidation; Special Communication)

BY-LAW CHANGES

1869 1870 1882 1883 1891 1894 1907 1913 1922 1925 1927 1940 1958 1976 1979 1980 2006

HISTORY

• 1943 (Centenary History, 1943-148)
• 1968 (125th Anniversary History, 1968-258)
• 1993 (150th Anniversary History, 1993-98)

OTHER

• 1843 (Mention of a dispensation for a lodge in Chelsea in GM's Address, IV-668)
• 1844 (Extension of dispensation, IV-740)
• 1845 (Petition for the loan of jewels granted, V-35; petition to be constituted in Boston granted, V-45)
• 1897 (Participation in Revere corner stone laying, 1897-241)
• 1898 (Participation in Chelsea corner stone laying, 1898-102)
• 1909 (Participation in Chelsea corner stone laying, 1909-73)
• 1912 (Participation in Chelsea Masonic Hall dedication, 1912-1)
• 1978 (Amendment of charter to remove to Wakefield, 1978-131)

EVENTS

INSTALLATION, JANUARY 1847

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. VI, No. 5, March 1847, page 133:

STAR OF BETHLEHEM LODGE, CHELSEA. The officers of the above Lodge were publicly installed by the Grand Master, assisted by his Wardens, on the 27th January, in the presence of a large and very respectable audience of ladies and gentlemen,—among whom were Brethren of all the different Orders of Masonry, with their appropriate regalia,—presenting a rich and varied display. The introductory prayer by the Rev. Br. McLeish, Chaplain of the Lodge, was appropriate and fervent. This was followed by the beautiful Chant from Br. Power's "Masonic Melodies," beginning—

" Rejoice, all ye that are assembled in the Lord."

And we were pleased to see that the committee of arrangements were regardful enough of the author's rights, to give him credit for it All committees are not equally careful in this respect.

After the ceremonies of installation, the following Ode, written for the occasion by W. Br. Horace G. Barrus, was sung by an excellent choir:

Oh, how delightful is the work,
To bring the poor relief;
To comfort them 'mid scenes of woe,
And mitigate their grief!

To dry the mourning widow's tear,
And soothe her troubled heart;
To cause a ray of cheering hope
Across the soul to dart.

To make the cheerless orphans feel,
Wlule all around is drear,
That there is sympathy tor them,
And succor ever near.

These are the duties that we teach;
In which we take delight;
And to this work we consecrate
Ourselves anew this night.

Receive the offering, O God,
Which on thine altar lies ;
With gratitude we place it there:
Accept the sacrifice.

This was followed by an interesting address by W. Br. Geo. G. Smith. The closing prayer was by Rev. Br. Francis, one of the Chaplains of the Lodge. The following Ode, written for the occasion by Br. Win. E. P. Haskell, was then sung:

Author of light and life! Supreme
Grand Architect above !
Wilt thou our Star of Bethlehem deem
An object of thy love.

Though altars where our fathers bowed,
With them have passed away,
Yet still we trust thy hallowed cloud
Will guide us on our way.

Let Wisdom. Strength and Beauty, too—
The Sacred Three—unite,
To raise a temple firm and true,
And lovely in thy sight.

A glorious temple of the soul,
Framed by the Master's art,
Whose noble, beauteous, compact whole,
May show each perfect part.

A temple where the widow's prayer
May find a listening ear—
The orphan seek a father's care,
And meek distress appear.

Then grant us. Lord, unwavering Faith,
Weil grounded Hope in Thee;
And on our hearts impress, till death,
Long suffering Charity.

A benediction by the venerable and Rev. Br. Dr. Asa Eaton, closed the ceremonies. The arrangements were all well made, and admirably executed. The following are the officers for the current year:—

• William Knapp, W. M.
• David W. Smith, S. W.
• John Low, J. W.
• John Bridge, Treas.
• Horace G. Barrus, Sec'ry
• David U. Pratt, S. D.
• Stephen D. Massey, J. D.
• John H. Pierce, S. S.
• Gilman Sargent, J. S.
• Rev. J. M'Leish, Rev. Eben Francis, Chaplains
• Wm. D. Peters, I. Sent
• Wm. E. P. Haskell, Marshal.

HALL DEDICATION, MARCH 1874

See Chelsea Hall Dedication

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

• Charles B. Burleigh, DDGM, District 7 (Malden), 1915, 1916; Deputy Grand Master 1923
• Tracy P. Cheever, 1868, 1869, 1870; Junior Grand Warden, 1872; Grand Secretary, 1878-1881
• Raymond A. Dembkoski, DDGM, District 3 (Chelsea), 1997, 1998
• Eugene F. Endicott, DDGM, District 3 (East Boston), 1902, 1903; Memorial
• George R. Fallstich, Jr., DDGM, District 3 (Chelsea), 1987, 1988; N
• Reginald F. Goldsworthy, DDGM, District 3 (Chelsea), 1952, 1953; N
• James Gould, DDGM, District 3 (East Boston), 1908, 1909; SN
• Ralph K. Hope, DDGM, District 3 (Chelsea), 1928, 1929; Memorial
• James LeGrow, DDGM, District 3 (Chelsea), 1979, 1980; SN
• John D. Manning, DDGM, District 3 (Chelsea), 1985, 1986; N
• George H. McIntyre, DDGM, District 3 (East Boston) , 1926; District 3 (Chelsea), 1927; N
• Arthur H. Reed, DDGM, District 3 (Chelsea), 1940, 1941; N
• Henry Spavin, DDGM, District 3 (East Boston), 1896, 1897; SN
• Stewart P. Sloane, DDGM, District 3 (Chelsea), 1965, 1966; SN
• Donald F. Tabbut, DDGM, District 3 (Chelsea), 2001, 2002

DISTRICTS

1844: District 1

1849: District 1

1857: District 11

1867: District 2 (Charlestown)

1883: District 3 (East Boston)

1911: District 3 (East Boston)

1927: District 3 (Chelsea)

2003: District 13

LINKS

Lodge web site

Constitution of Lodge, 1845

Dedicatory Address, 1874

Massachusetts Lodges