MAWorcester
Contents
WORCESTER
LODGES
- Athelstan Lodge, from 1865 to its merger with Montacute Lodge in 2003.
- Guiding Lights Lodge, from 2003 to the present.
- Isaiah Thomas Lodge, from 1920 to its merger with Morning Star Lodge in 1974.
- Level Lodge, from 1952 to the present.
- Montacute Lodge, from 1858 to its merger with Athelstan Lodge in 2003.
- Morning Star Lodge, from 1793 to 1839, and from 1844 to the present.
- Quinsigamond Lodge, from 1870 to the present.
- Rose of Sharon Lodge, from 1927 to its merger with Morning Star Lodge in 1974.
BUILDINGS
- 01/21/1857: VI-158; Dedication of Masonic Hall, reported in the Grand Master's Address at the Feast of St. John.
- 06/16/1867: Hall Dedication; not in Proceedings; see below.
- 09/12/1913: 1913-164; Corner-stone laying, at a Special Communication.
- 09/03/1914: 1914-192; Hall dedication, at a Special Communication.
HALL DEDICATION, JUNE 1867
From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XXVI, No. 9, July 1867, Page 262:
NEW MASONIC HALL AT WORCESTER.
The Brethren at Worcester having recently fitted up in the new Post-office Building, in that city, a series of elegant halls for their accommodation. The same were dedicated by the M.W. Grand Lodge, on Tuesday, the 16th ult. The arrangements for the same were made on a liberal scale, and were carried out fully. Notwithstanding the unfavorable state of the weather, the Brethren did not allow it to dampen their ardor ; and their reception of the officers of the M.W. Grand Lodge, who were present with the jewels all filled, was of the warmest and most gratifying character.
The greatest interest was manifested by the Brethren of Worcester and neighborhood, and the occasion passed off in a manner which will cause it to be remembered with pleasure by all who participated in it. The perfect adaptation of the building to the wants of the various Orders in Worcester, particularly the Prelate's room, and the arrangements for the convenience of the Knights Templars and the Lodges, met with the hearty approval of the officers of the Grand Lodge who were called to inspect them; and we cannot but congratulate the Brethren of Morning Star, Montacute, and Athelstan Lodges that they are now in possession of apartments every way fitted for their use; and may their beauty and perfect arrangements stimulate all to renewed efforts in exemplifying the beauty of our principles, and their perfect adaptation to the moral wants and the kindly sympathies of the human heart!
The services of dedication commenced at 8 o'clock, p.m. The room was filled with the members and their ladies, and the parent Lodge must have felt a glowing exultation in the contemplation of the youthful bloom and vigor of her two fair daughters. At the conclusion of the impressive ceremonies of dedication, the company repaired to the banquet-hall; and, after blessing had been asked by Rev. Brother Stratton, full justice was done to the bountiful entertainment provided for the guests, consisting of the choicest fruits of the season, and all necessary accompaniments. Addresses and sentiments cheered the house; and, on separating, every heart beat in unison with the warmest wishes for the continued harmony and happiness of the Brethren of Worcester.
BUILDING DESCRIPTION, FEBRUARY 1912
From New England Craftsman, Vol. VII, No. 5, February 1912, Page 165:
The Masons of Worcester, Mass., are to erect a $125,000 Masonic Temple which they expect to have ready for occupancy by September 1st. The building will be three stories high. It will have a frontage of 270 feet and be 125 feet deep and will be one of the finest in the country.
The first floor of the temple will be devoted to social rooms, reading room, card and billiard room, library, reception hall, parlor, coatroom, committee rooms and an office for the custodian of the building. The second floor of the building will be given over to two large lodge-rooms, 64 feet by 40 feet, which will be known as the blue lodge-room and the red lodge-room, the latter for the higher branches of the order.
Upon the third floor of the temple will be two more large lodge-rooms, which will be used only by the Worcester county Commandery, Knights Templars; the chapter bodies and the Scottish rites bodies, the lodge of Perfection, Rose Croix Chapter, Princes of Jerusalem, the latter comprising degrees up to and including the 18th.
The intermediate lodge-room is to be separate from the other and will include all necessary connections for the work of the fraternity. In the basement of the building will be a banquet hall, kitchen and serving room attached; storage room and the engine and boiler room, along with a specially constructed machinery room for the ventilating of the entire building.
Electricity will be used throughout the new temple for lighting purposes as well as for power to run two passenger elevators from the basement floor, while another feature of the new temple will be two mezzanine or intermediate stories or galleries between the first, second and third floors of the building, which will be devoted to small lodge-rooms.
For over two years committees of the Worcester Masonic Charity and Educational Association have been at work on the plans of the new temple now in course of construction, and when the contract for the foundation was awarded their conclusions resulted in plans for a Masonic Temple which will when completed be a credit to the fraternity of Worcester and even the state of Massachusetts.
