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SPENCER LODGE

Location: Spencer

Chartered By: Sereno D. Nickerson

Charter Date: 12/11/1872 1872-260

Precedence Date: 11/03/1871

Current Status: in Grand Lodge Vault. Merged with Meridian Sun Lodge into Hayden Lodge, 10/18/2003.

PAST MASTERS

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

• Petition for Dispensation: 1871
• Petition for Charter: 1872
• Consolidation Petition (with Meridian Sun and Hayden Lodges): 2002

ANNIVERSARIES

• 1941 (70th Anniversary)
• 1946 (75th Anniversary)
• 1971 (Centenary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

• 1873 (Nickerson; hall dedication, Special Communication; see below)
• 1927 (Simpson; hall dedication, Special Communication)
• 1941 (Schaefer; 70th Anniversary, Special Communication)
• 1946 (Wragg; 75th Anniversary, Special Communication)
• 1952 (Roy; reception for Junior Grand Warden Clayton F. Fisher)
• 1971 (Jaynes; Centenary, Special Communication)
• 1975 (Maxwell)
• 2003 (Hicks; Consolidation) not described in Proceedings

BY-LAW CHANGES

1880 1881 1888 1916 1923 1927 1930 1937 1951 1953 1954 1956 1960 1973 1976 1980 1981 1988 1991 1994 1995

HISTORY

• 1941 (70th Anniversary History, 1941-129; see below)
• 1946 (75th Anniversary History, 1946-270)
• 1971 (Centenary History, 1971-448)

70TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, MAY 1941

From Proceedings, Page 1941-129:

By the Historical Committee:
Worshipful Harry S. Tripp, Chairman
;
Worshipful Edmund H. Squire;
Worshipful Frederick W. Boulton;
Worshipful W. Harry Vernon

In preparing this historical sketch of Spencer Lodge the committee has tried to make it not too long and tiresome, but to touch briefly on the interesting events during the past 70 years.

The origin of Spencer Lodge was in consequence of the desire of a group of Spencer Brethren, members of Hayden Lodge of Brookfield, Massachusetts, to organize a Masonic Lodge in their own home town.

These Brethren met Oct. 23, 1871, to organize this Lodge. Brother Henry R. Green called the meeting to order, Brother Jeremiah W. Drake was elected Chairman and Brother George G. Wright, Secretary. Then followed the election of officers — Brother George P. Ladd, Worshipful Master, Brother Edwin A. Hill, Senior Warden, Brother Isaac Niles, Jr., Junior Warden, Brother Henry M. Tower, Treasurer, and Brother George G. Wright, Secretary.

A committee was appointed to select a name for the Lodge and chose that of Spencer.

A committee was appointed to present a petition to Hayden Lodge for their consent to the granting of a dispensation by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Massachusetts to the Spencer Brethren for the organization of such a Lodge.

The Dispensation being granted Nov. 3, 1871, a meeting was called Nov. 4, 1871, by Worshipful George P. Ladd in Denny Hall and a committee was appointed to secure quarters and estimates for furnishing the same. A committee was appointed to draw up a set of By-Laws.

A special meeting was held Nov. 21, 1871, at which time the Worshipful Master named the first appointive officers of the Lodge. The committee on quarters and furnishings reported that it would cost $900.00 to furnish the Lodge, and that the rooms in the Town Hall then building, would not be ready for four months. It was therefore decided to continue the meetings in Denny Hall until those quarters were ready.

The first regular communication of Spencer Lodge under Dispensation was held in Denny Hall Dec. 19, 1871. At this communication the By-Laws were accepted and adopted. These By-Laws were approved by the Grand Lodge Dec. 11, 1872, which is also the date of our Charter.

The first meeting in the new quarters in the Town Hall was a regular communication under dispensation in June, 1872. The first degree work of the Lodge was in October, 1872, and the first candidate was raised April 1, 1873.

The first official visitation was at a special communication Nov. 19, 1872. The first regular communication under our Charter was held Jan. 7, 1873. There were 20 Charter members, namely:

• Edwin A. Hill
• Charles H. Allen
• Isaac Niles, Jr.
• George A. Craig
• James H. Ames
• Henry R. Green
• L. Francis Sumner
• Edward E. Stone
• Emerson Stone
• William A. Barr
• George G. Wright
• John N. Grout
• Marquis Hall
• Sullivan S. Marsh
• Orin S. Worthington
• Bradford B. F. Whitman
• Jeremiah W. Drake
• Henry Belcher
• J. Edward Bacon
• George P. Ladd

None of these are now living. To the present generation the mention of these names means little, but to those of us who have known and mingled with these men, it recalls pleasant memories of a sturdy, upright group of men who have done much to make Spencer a busy, industrious town.

At this communication held Jan. 7, 1873, the Lodge received an official and fraternal visitation from the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Massachusetts for the purpose of the solemn constitution of the Lodge and the dedication of the hall.

The Grand Officers who signed the Charter and who presumably constituted the Lodge and dedicated the hall (although there is no record in the Grand Lodge Proceedings) were Most Worshipful Sereno D. Nickerson, Grand Master, Charles Kimball, Senior Grand Warden, Tracy P. Cheever, Junior Grand Warden, Charles H. Titus, Grand Secretary, John McClellan, Grand Treasurer, and Percival Lowell Everett, Deputy Grand Master.

The Lodge-rooms in the Town Hall were very secluded but the long hard climb up three flights of winding stairs doubtless kept many of the older members from punctual attendance at the meetings except on special occasions. Several times during the occupancy of the Town Hall rooms, efforts were made to secure more convenient quarters, but the expense of preparing and furnishing them in new buildings under construction was considered too large and it was not until the good Grand Army decided to disband and give up their charter and rooms in the Bank Block opposite, that we decided to move.

Owing to relocating the stairway to the third floor through the club room, the safe, which contained our Charter, records and By-Laws, was moved over before the main staircase was taken out, but before the quarters were ready for occupancy, the Town Hall was burned in January, 1926, together with all of our regalia, jewels and furnishings, with the exception of one officer's chair which had been taken over to help in making some measurements in connection with the new settees.

The rooms not being ready, the Lodge meetings were held in the club room in February and March, 1926, and in the new Lodge-room on April 6, 1926, which was dedicated Nov. 8, 1927, by Most Worshipful Frank L. Simpson and suite.

Our nice altar was presented to the Lodge by a group of Worcester County physicians headed by our late Brother Dr. George W. Ellison.

The 50th anniversary of the Lodge was observed Dec. 11, 1922, with music by the Imperial Male Quartet of Worcester, Massachusetts. An historical paper was read by the Chaplain, setting forth some of the interesting facts of the Lodge and refreshments and a social hour followed. The Lodge had officially recognized the tenth, fifteenth, and twenty-fifth anniversaries also with appropriate services.

Owing to the loss of all of our property in 1926, it was necessary to procure new furniture and regalia, and as we had already spent considerable in changing over the rooms which we were to occupy, it became necessary to secure funds on a mortgage note. We have to thank many Lodges, Spencerian Chapter, O.E.S., and many individuals, for voluntary contributions to help us financially, which, with funds earned by entertainments, parties and balls, have enabled us to pay off this note which we are burning this evening.

Spencer Lodge has had 33 Past Masters (one of which was under dispensation), of which number 19 are still living. This number of Masters may seem small, but it is owing to the fact that nearly all have served two years, while one, Right Worshipful Edwin A. Hill, our first Master under Charter, served five, one four years and three, three years. There have been 11 Treasurers and 14 Secretaries, and the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge has honored Spencer Lodge by the appointment of our Past Masters as District Deputy Grand Masters, as follows:

• R.W. Edwin A. Hill, 1889
• R.W. John G. Prouty, 1914
• R.W. Frederick B. Traill, 1920
• R.W. Edmund H. Squire, 1934

385 members have signed our By-Laws and the present number of members is 156.

Spencer Lodge has been assigned to four Masonic Districts — 1872 to 1882 inclusive, in the 11th District; 1883 to 1910 inclusive, in the 18th District; 1911 to 1926 inclusive, in the 20th District; and since 1927, in the (Brookfield) 21st District.

During the so-called depression no candidates were raised from June, 1931, to January, 1935. As the result of a clause in the will of Brother George F. Upham deceased, the charity fund of the Lodge is amply provided for any calls that are liable to be made, and with our indebtedness cancelled, we look forward to a pleasant and prosperous future.

75TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, OCTOBER 1946

From Proceedings, Page 1946-270:

By Worshipful Elton F. Prouty.

Tonight Spencer Lodge is a very proud organization, and so happy that we can all be together here at this important epoch of our Masonic life; seventy-five years in the life of a person does not seem so unreasonably old, and yet when a Lodge nears that age, somehow it savors of antiquity. So many interesting things have happened in Spencer Lodge in these years that have passed that a long, long story could well be written, but that is obviously out of the question tonight and we shall merely attempt to relate to you, in something of a chronological order, some of the highlights during that period.

The mention of the names of the Charter Members brings to our hearts such a thrill as is experienced when one mentions the Flag or the Signers of the Declaration of Independence.

The origin of Spencer Lodge was in consequence of the desire of a group of Spencer Brethren, members of Hayden Lodge of Brookfield, to organize a Masonic Lodge in their own home town. These Brethren met seventy-five years ago today, October 23, 1871, to organize this Lodge. Brother Henry R. Green called the meeting to order, Brother Jeremiah W. Drake was elected Chairman, and Brother George G. Wright, Secretary. Then followed the election of officers as follows:

• George P. Ladd, Worshipful Master
• Edwin A. Hill, Senior Warden
• Isaac Niles, Jr., Junior Warden
• Henry M. Tower, Treasurer
• George G. Wright, Secretary

A dispensation was granted on November 3, 1871.

The first regular communication of Spencer Lodge under dispensation was held in Denny Hall December 19, 1871. At this meeting the By-Laws were read and accepted, being accepted by the Grand Lodge on December 11, 1872, which is also the date of our Charter.

The first meeting in the new quarters in the Town Hall was a regular communication under dispensation in June, 1872, and the first degree work of the Lodge was in October of that same year, Brother William W. Mason being the first candidate and being raised April 1, 1873. The first regular communication under our Charter was held January 7, 1873.

Of the twenty Charter Members, your historian recalls seven during their life time and was a close neighbor to two of them.

Just a word about the old lodge room. I first saw it around 1892 when, as a small boy, I helped my father, janitor Brother Frank T. Prouty, the ninth Brother to be raised, on September 30, 1873, sweep the famous old red carpet, the pattern of which were the emblems and various insignia of our beloved order and considered a thing of rare beauty in those days. This was used as a lodge room until the Town Hall was destroyed by fire in January of 1926 and we lost all of our regalia, jewels and furnishings with the exception of one officer's chair and our safe, containing our Charter, records and By-Laws, which had been taken across the street to the new quarters in the Bank Block.

To many of us, the original lodge room holds hallowed memories. Our ancient Brethren of Spencer Lodge ascended to their quarters by "a flight of winding stairs," consisting of many, many steps, and when the more aged finally arrived at the top and eventually regained their breath, they probably thought they were "moored in a peaceful harbor, where the weary shall find rest."

The last candidates to receive their Master Mason Degree in the old lodge room were Brothers Clayton F. Fisher and Leon K. Sebring. The first candidates to be raised in our present comfortable lodge room were Brothers Ralph Tower and C. J. W. Sperry.

This seems to be an appropriate moment to state that one of the reasons for the success of Spencer Lodge, that we cannot find mentioned in previous histories, is the perfect harmony that has always existed between the Brethren who live in Leicester and those who reside in Spencer. "Brethren" is exactly the proper word!

The records show that the tenth, fifteenth and twenty-fifth anniversaries were celebrated with appropriate ceremonies. The fiftieth anniversary was held in the old lodge room December 11, 1922, with music by noted Worcester musicians, refreshments and a very pleasant social hour. An historical paper was read by Brother Robert Armstrong, who was at that time our Chaplain and Pastor of the First Congregational Church in Spencer.

The seventieth anniversary was held May 23, 1941, with a reception to Most Worshipful Albert A. Schaefer, then Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts. There was a marvelous program, the mortgage note was burned, and an interesting history of the Lodge was read by Worshipful Harry S. Tripp. This event was held in the First Congregational Church also.

Spencer Lodge has been in four different Masonic Districts — 1872 to 1882, inclusive, in the 11th; 1883 to 1910, inclusive, in the 18th; 1911 to 1926, inclusive, in the 20th; and 1927 to 1946, inclusive, in the (Brookfield) 21st.

We have been honored by the appointment of five District Deputy Grand Masters, as follows:

• Edwin A. Hill, 1888
• John G. Prouty, 1914
• Frederick B. Traill, 1919
• Edmund H. Squire, 1934
• Clayton F. Fisher, 1944

Right Worshipful Brothers Edmund H. Squire and Clayton F. Fisher have served as Master of the Sixth Lodge of Instruction — a most valued part of our Institution entirely unknown to us old timers, and making it possible for candidates to visit beautiful Worcester Masonic Temple at an early period in their Masonic career.

Incidentally, the Temple was designed by the late Brother George C. Halcott, Architect of Worcester, an Honorary Member of Spencer Lodge, and very much beloved by many Spencer Brethren. He also designed our Spencer Memorial Town Hall and planned the arrangement of our own Masonic quarters in the Bank Block.

Including Worshipful George P. Ladd, who served under dispensation in 1871, there have been thirty-seven Worshipful Masters. With a bow of reverence and respect to those who have gone, we read the names of those still living, in the order of their precedence:

• Wor. Harry S. Tripp, 1904-1905
• Wor. Walter S. Wiggin, 1910-1911
• Wor. W. Harry Vernon, 1912-1913
• Wor. Dewitt Tower, 1914-1915
• Wor. W. Frederick. B. Traill, 1916-1917
• Wor. Elton F. Prouty, 1920-1921
• Wor. Charles M. Durell, 1924-1925
• Wor. Albert L. Blanchard, 1927-1928
• Wor. Edmund H. Squire, 1929-1930
• Wor. Ambrose L. Tower, 1931-1932
• Wor. Henry Cote, 1933-1934
• Wor. Raymond M. McMurdo, 1935-1936
• Wor. Leslie O. Marden, 1937
• Wor. Clayton F. Fisher, 1938-1939
• Wor. Frederick W. Flint, 1940-1941
• Wor. Norman F. MacLeod, 1942
• Wor. C. John W. Sperry, 1943-1944
• Wor. John Beatrice, 1945
• Wor. Ernest L. Roberts, 1946

If memory serves us correctly, the youngest Brother to ascend to the Oriental Chair was Worshipful Brother Nathan E. Craig, at the age of twenty-eight.

Worshipful Harry S. Tripp served as Installing Master for thirty years and this important task has now been capably handled for many years by Right Worshipful Edmund H. Squire, and Right Worshipful Frederick B. Traill has served twenty-three years as Installing Marshal.

There have been eleven Treasurers and fourteen Secretaries, whom we will not enumerate, but will mention that Brother Charles S. Ross served fifteen years as Secretary and Brother Edwin W. Sargent is now in his twentieth year in that chair. Brother Alton Barr served twenty-four years as Treasurer, and Right Worshipful Edmund H. Squire has served us for sixteen years in that capacity.

Seventy-five years of accomplishment, joy and happiness interspersed by those too frequent moments of grief and sorrow when a beloved Brother is taken from us! Anecdotes that would interest you could be related by the score, but time does not permit.

Perhaps the most unusual meeting ever held was on that "heatless night" during World War I in the winter of 1917-1918. The thermometer registered twenty degrees below zero F., as several faithful officers gathered in our 10x12 preparation room, and clad in overcoats and mittens, caps pulled down over our ears, opened our Lodge, transacted business and closed in form. Teeth chattered as the words were said, but the work was faithfully carried out. Three Past Masters who were with us that night have gone to "that place not made with hands, eternal in the heavens," but surely Worshipful Charles M. Durell, who was a member of the group, will vouch for the accuracy of this story.

The preliminary details, final arrangements and ultimate completion of our present quarters was under the guidance of Worshipful Charles M. Durell and his efficient committee and faithful Brethren, and was dedicated by Most Worshipful Frank L. Simpson and his Suite on November 8, 1926. The nice altar was presented to the Lodge by a group of Worcester County physicians, headed by our late Brother Dr. George W. Ellison.

Our Lodge furnished several members of World War I and fourteen Spencer Brethren went through the rigors of that terrible World War II. Through the thoughtfulness of Right Worshipful Edmund H. Squire, their names have been inscribed on a beautiful Honor Roll of parchment, to be preserved for posterity. Many sons of Brethren also served and their names will later be suitably recorded.

Does seventy-five years seem a short time in the life of a Lodge? Well, just two weeks ago we had the privilege of raising a Brother who is a member of the first family to have four successive generations represented in the Lodge. Brother Henry R. Green was a Charter Member. His son, Worshipful Charles H. Green, was raised August 20, 1889, by Worshipful Walter E. Barton. The grandson, Brother Herbert H. Green, was raised October 20,1914, during the regime of Worshipful Dewitt Tower by his father, Worshipful Charles H. Green. The great grandson, David H. Green, became a Master Mason October 8, 1946, raised by Worshipful Ernest L. Roberts, Presiding Master. There have also been three generations in three families— Henry, Dewitt and Ralph Tower; Edward, Ralph and Gerald Stone; and Frank, Elton and Robert Prouty.

Now we must come to a close. The past year, under the capable leadership of Worshipful Brother Roberts, has been perhaps the busiest in our history. Our present membership is 166.

Many members have rendered valuable service over the years — some, to use a military expression, "far beyond the call of duty"' — and their work will never be forgotten.

To some of us more elderly Brethren, "already in the Western Sky, the signs bid us prepare to gather up our Working Tools and part upon the Square," but as we contemplate "travelling to that undiscovered country, from whose bourne no traveller returns," we do so with no fear or foreboding for the future. We know well that the young Brethren now in the Lodge, and those to follow, will carry on the work of our beloved order with the same zeal, dignity and devotion that have characterized the work of their fathers. May the blessings of Heaven rest upon them and all that they shall do!

EVENTS

CONSTITUTION OF LODGE, JANUARY 1873

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XXXII, No. 2, February 1873, Page 53:

This is a new Lodge, located in the pleasant and flourishing town of Spencer, in the county of Worcester, and having worked its year of probation under a dispensation, and received a Charter from the Grand Lodge, was duly constituted by the M. W. Grand Master and his officers, on Tuesday the 7th of January ult.

The Grand Lodge present consisted of

• M. W. Sereno D. Nickerson, G. M.
• Percival L. Everett, D. G M.
• Henry Endicott, S. G. W.
• Charles W. Moore as J. G. W.
• Henry C. Willson, as G. Treas.
• Joseph B. Knox as R. G. Sec.
• Chas. H. Titus, as G. Chap.
• Wm. H. Chessman, Gr. Marshal.
• Nelson R. Scott, Grand Steward.
• Sumner Holmes as Grand Steward
• Geo. P. Ladd, Architect.
• Fred. A. Pierce, Grand Tyler.

The Grand Lodge was opened at 4 o'clock P. M., and immediately proceeded with the dedication of the Masonic apartments to the purposes of Freemasonry, in the usual form and with the usual ceremonies. The constituting of the Lodge immediately followed; at the conclusion of which ceremony the Grand Lodge took a recess until the evening; at which time it assembled in the beautiful hall in the large and imposing building recently erected in the centre of the village for public and other purposes. This hall, we understand, is capable of seating about six hundred persons. There were probably present on this occasion between three and four hundred, including ladies and other invited guests. The ceremonies of Installation were opened with singing by an excellent quartette. Bro. Edwin A. Hill, Master elect was then introduced and installed by the Grand Master; the Senior Warden, Bro. Charles H. Allen was installed by R. W. Henry Endicott, S. G. W.; and the Junior Warden, Bro. Isaac Niles, Jr., was installed by R. W. Charles W. Moore as J. G. W. pro tem. The remainder of the officers were then installed by the M. W. Grand Master, the usual proclamation was made by the Grand Marshal, and the ceremonies were closed with prayer by the Grand Chaplain; previous to which, however, the Grand Master addressed the brethren and the company present in terms and on subjects appropriate to the occasion, and was listened to with great attention and apparent gratification by the audience. The Grand Lodge then retired, and having been closed, the members were immediately conducted to the banqueting hall in the same building, where they were joined by some two hundred ladies and gentlemen in a bountiful and well spread banquet, and where an hour was spent in a very pleasant way. The speakers at the table, so far as we can recollect them were, the Grand Master, and Bros. Moore, Knox, Titus and others.

The apartments of the new Lodge are admirably well adapted to the purposes for which they are designed, and especially so is the principal hall, which is neatly frescoed and handsomely furnished. The Lodge itself is composed of young and enterprising brethren, and its future prospects are highly encouraging.

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

• Scott L. Allen, DDGM, District 21 (Brookfield), 1962, 1963
• Clayton F. Fisher, DDGM, District 21 (Brookfield), 1944, 1945; Junior Grand Warden 1952
• Edwin A. Hill, DDGM, District 18 (Worcester), 1888, 1889; SN
• Arthur M. Kinne, DDGM, District 21 (Brookfield), 1984, 1985; Junior Grand Warden 1987
• Neil T. Mulrain, DDGM, District 21 (Brookfield), 1992, 1993
• John G. Prouty, DDGM, District 20 (Southbridge), 1914; SN
• Edmund H. Squire, DDGM, District 21 (Brookfield), 1934, 1935; N
• Frederick B. Traill, DDGM, District 20 (Southbridge), 1919, 1920; SN

DISTRICTS

1871: District 11 (Worcester)

1883: District 18 (Worcester)

1911: District 20 (Southbridge)

1927: District 21 (Brookfield)

2003: District 25

LINKS

Massachusetts Lodges