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WAMPATUCK LODGE

Location: Hanson; East Bridgewater (1982)

Chartered By: Samuel H. Wragg

Charter Date: 03/12/1947 1947-73

Precedence Date: 05/16/1946

Current Status: Active

PAST MASTERS

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

• Petition for Dispensation: 1946
• Petition for Charter: 1947

ANNIVERSARIES

• 1966 (20th Anniversary)
• 1971 (25th Anniversary)
• 1996 (50th Anniversary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

• 1947 (Wragg; 2 visits; Constitution of Lodge and installation, and Hall dedication; Special Communications)
• 1966 (Booth; 20th Anniversary; Special Communication)
• 1971 (Jaynes; 25th Anniversary; Special Communication)
• 1992 (Darling; 10th Anniversary of Tri-Town Temple; Special Communication)
• 1996 (A. Johnson; 50th Anniversary; Special Communication)

BY-LAW CHANGES

1950 1957 1961 1965 1971 1973 1982 1983 1987 1988 1989 1991 2007 2012

HISTORY

• 1947 (Brief History, 1947-311)
• 1966 (20th Anniversary History, 1966-215)
• 1971 (25th Anniversary History, 1971-267)
• 1996 (50th Anniversary History, 1996-96; see below)

50TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, MAY 1996

From Proceedings, Page 1996-96:

IN THE BEGINNING

For quite a number of years local Masons had talked of forming a local Lodge but no definite steps were taken. The Wampatuck Library Association which had been active in the community for over fifty years, and had built a good sized hall, had become depleted by aging and loss of members and was desirous of disposing of its property. Representatives of this Association, some of whom were Masons, proposed to lease the building for ninety-nine years for the sum of one dollar if a Lodge was formed. Such a proposition was not one to dismiss lightly.

A small notice was inserted in a Brockton paper inviting Masons living in Hanson, Halifax, and Pembroke, to meet at the hall on Sunday, March 17, 1946, to discuss the formation of the Lodge. March 17 was a raw, disagreeable day. Nevertheless there were well over thirty men present. Discussion was wholly favorable to go forward with the necessary steps, and to further this, a committee was chosen consisting of Dr. B. H. Peirce, Wor. Bro. Charles T. Nicoll, Wor. Bro. James M. Converse, Bro. Norman G. MacDonald, and Bro. Alvin R. Reid. It was voted to meet again on March 31 and in the meantime to circulate a petition to the Grand Lodge.

At the meeting on March 31, it was voted that the new Lodge should be named Wampatuck. Wor. Bro. Nicoll was elected to be the first Master, Wor. Bro. John I. Harris, Senior Warden, and Bro. Harry T. Downs, Junior Warden.

On April 3, 1946 the Committee waited on the Most Worshipful Grand Master, Samuel H. Wragg, by appointment, at the Masonic Temple in Boston, and presented a petition containing seventy-five signatures, for a dispensation to form Wampatuck Lodge. It is interesting to note that more than half the signers of this petition had no local affiliation.

A dispensation dated May 29, 1946 was granted, and on that date Wampatuck Lodge was instituted by Rt. Wor. Edward Harrison Turner, D. D. G. M. of the 29th Masonic District, and the officers seated.

We were unfortunate in the loss by death of Wor. John I. Harris and the resignation of Harry T. Downs. Harold H. Bryant was appointed Senior Warden and the other Officers moved up one step.

The names of the Charter Members are to be found in this program.

THE SECOND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS

Our Worshipful Masters' Observations

There is an old saying that goes "THE ONLY THING CONSTANT IS CHANGE" and while this is normally true, it is not completely true when it is applied to Wampatuck Lodge.

Many of the activities that have made Wampatuck Lodge an active and viable organization in the past continue today. Our Masonic Blood Donation Program has received thirty-three consecutive awards for 100% participation. The Masonic Service Committee is active in communicating with the membership and making both hospital and home visits to ailing brethren. Our support of the Veterans Administration Sunday Escort Service and the Masonic Home in Charlton goes on without interruption. But some things do change. We have instituted a Scholarship Program that awards a Hanson high school student a scholarship each year. In addition, we are conducting a Flea Market during the summer that has grown beyond our expectations.

Thanks to the wisdom and foresight or the Wampatuck Masonic Building Association in 1980, they realized that the current Lodge Hall was creating a major burden upon the Lodge. The increased cost of maintenance and utilities, as well as the demands for more time from the membership, would be greater than the Lodge was able to provide. They met with the building committees from Puritan Lodge in Whitman and Satucket Lodge in East Bridgewater who were in a similar situation. After much discussion it was determined that a Tri-Town Building Committee would be formed and that the proceeds from the sale of the three Lodge buildings would be used to construct a new Masonic Temple. A parcel of land located on the East Bridgewater and Hanson town lines was donated by Bro. George T. Ridder. Construction was completed and the Tri-Town Masonic Temple was dedicated on May 16, 1982 by the Most Worshipful Grand Master J. Philip Berquist.

While Wampatuck Lodge has continued to grow, we have also been active in supporting the 29th Masonic District. Two of our Past Masters have sewed as Master of the 41st Lodge of Instruction. But more importantly, two of our brothers, Wor. Roy R. Compton, Sr. and Rt. Wor. Stephen H. Noyes, were awarded the Joseph Warren Medal for service to Freemasonry, which is the highest honor a blue lodge member can receive.

As I now reflect upon the past fifty years of Wampatuck Lodge A. F. & A. M. I can see how strong a foundation was laid by our charter members. Wampatuck continues to grow and prosper, not only in the physical sense, but in the Masonic spiritual sense as well. The friendship and brotherly love has grown stronger with the passing of time.

OTHER

• 1987 (Mortgage burning ceremony, 1987-118)

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

• Lawrence S. Holbrook, DDGM, District 29 (Brockton), 1971, 1972; N
• William R. Kennedy, DDGM, District 17, 2005, 2006
• Stephen H. Noyes, DDGM, District 29 (Brockton), 1981, 1982; N
• Alvin R. Reid, DDGM, District 29 (Brockton), 1965, 1966; N

DISTRICTS

1946: District 29 (Brockton)

2003: District 17

LINKS

Lodge web site

Massachusetts Lodges