Bethlehem

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BETHLEHEM LODGE

Location: Lynn

Chartered By: Arthur D. Prince

Charter Date: 12/18/1920 1920-567

Precedence Date: 02/07/1920

Current Status: in Grand Lodge Vault; merged into Mount Carmel Lodge, 10/09/2006.

PAST MASTERS

  • Walter H. Macomber, 1920
  • W. Arthur Child, 1921
  • T. E. P. Wilson, 1922
  • Charles D. C. Moore, 1923
  • Everett B. Stacey, 1924, 1925; N
  • William Sutherland, 1926, 1927
  • William H. Peare, 1928, 1929
  • George E. Hanson, 1930, 1931
  • Ivan C. Sutherland, 1932
  • Hayden G. Kimball, 1933, 1934
  • Clarence Wentworth, 1935, 1936
  • Robert T. Pender, 1937
  • Orville G. Caswell, 1938
  • James W. Burnett, 1939
  • John J. Eade, 1940
  • Lyndon W. Ellis, 1941; N
  • Raymond R. Ward, 1942
  • Enos O. Brown, 1943
  • Robert W. Hutchinson, 1944
  • George S. Robinson, 1945
  • Robert Sword, 1946
  • Frederick J. Haydock, 1947
  • Raymond E. Smith, 1948; N
  • Raymond A. Phillips, 1949; SN
  • Forrest E. Shearer, 1950
  • Wesley Cromwell, 1951
  • Harold O. Johnson, 1952
  • Henry O. Swain, Jr., 1953
  • John C. Jeffery, 1954
  • W. Kenneth Cobbett, 1955
  • Harvie W. Phillips, 1956
  • Earl C. Simson, 1957
  • Gustave R. Johnson, 1958
  • Arthur W. Frost, 1959
  • Donald E. Maden, 1960
  • William H. Herald, Jr., 1961
  • James W. Braunhardt, 1962
  • Franklin U. Durgin, 1963
  • Dana F. Wiggin, 1964
  • George Eddows, 1965
  • Roscoe M. Robertson, 1966
  • Richard G. Wells, 1967
  • John W. Blake, 1968
  • Edward D. Varnum, Sr., 1969
  • H. Douglas Morong, 1970
  • Warren R. Davis, 1971
  • Frank A. Gove, 1972
  • Paul T. Kelley, 1973
  • John E. Ryder, 1974
  • Horace E. Luscomb, 1975
  • Donald F. Belair, 1976
  • William R. Brooks, 1977
  • Richard W. Carrow, 1978
  • Edward F. Swansburg, 1979
  • Mark E. Lubarsky, 1980
  • Frank W. Freehan, 1981
  • William E. Eldridge, 1982; N
  • Bruce I. Ricker, 1983
  • Thomas F. Johnson, 1984
  • George W. Smith, 1985, 1995
  • Charles L. Langevain, 1986
  • John R. Elwell, 1987, 1996
  • Ross A. Bulmer, 1988
  • Robert L. Varnum, 1989
  • Robert R. Bulmer, 1990
  • Thomas P. Sylvia, 1991
  • Edward J. Yaeger, 1992
  • William H. Fancy, Jr., 1993, 1994
  • Robert E. Williams, 1997, 1998
  • William F. Curtis, 1999
  • Michael N. Tenney, 2000
  • Frederick J. Greco, 2001, 2002
  • Vernon C. Coleman, 2003
  • John A. Gilbert, 2004
  • Emmanuel L. Felix, 2005
  • Robert L. Felix, Sr., 2006
  • James D. Belair, 2006, 2007

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

ANNIVERSARIES

  • 1945 (25th Anniversary)
  • 1970 (50th Anniversary)
  • 1995 (75th Anniversary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

BY-LAW CHANGES

1932 1937 1942 1952 1953 1958 1962 1968 1970 1971 1973 1982 1993 1996 2000 2003

HISTORY

  • 1921 (Founding History, 1921-18; see below)
  • 1945 (25th Anniversary History, 1945-177)
  • 1970 (50th Anniversary History, 1970-75)

CONSTITUTION OF LODGE, JANUARY 1921

From Proceedings, Page 1921-18:

The need of a new Lodge in Lynn was realized because of the unusual demands made upon the officers of the Lodges as a result of the great number of applications and the many candidates in progress of receiving their degrees. All three Lodges were working extra lines of officers to relieve the pressure.

The idea was crystalized into definite action at the regular meeting of Mt. Carmel Lodge, December 8, 1910. Brother Thomas E. P. Wilson approached Worshipful Brother Walter II. Maoomber, with the suggestion that definite action be taken toward the organization of a new Lodge. Brothers Charles D. C. Moore and Everett B. Stacey joined in the movement and Worshipful Brother W. Arthur Childs was invited to join the organization committee. The name. "Bethlehem Lodge" was adopted a1 the suggestion of Worshipful Brother Walter H. Macomber.

A petition was obtained from Right Worshipfu] Barry P. Gifford, District Deputy Grand Master, prepared and presented to Damascus Lodge, December the 17th, 1919; Mount Carmel Lodge, January the 12th, 1920, and Golden Fleece Lodge, January 19th, 1920. This petition received the unanimous favor of all Hirer Lynn Lodges at their next regular meetings and was placed in the hands of the District Deputy Grand .Master. February the 23rd, 1920. Ninety-three Master Masons joined in the petition.

A dispensation was granted to Bethlehem Lodge by Most Worshipful Arthur D. Prince, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts, and under his direction Bight Worshipful Brother Harry P. Gifford, assisted by Worshipful Brother Adelbert Dennett, his marshal, instituted the Lodge March 5th, 1920. Worshipful Brother Walter H. Macomber was elected the first Master. Worshipful Brother W. Arthur Childs, Senior Warden, Worshipful Brother Thomas E. P. Wilson, Junior Warden, Brother George H. Gage, Treasurer, and Brother Everett B. Stacey, Secretary. The Master appointed the following officers:— Rev. and Worshipful Dudley Hays Ferrell, Chaplain; Brother William M. Shaw, Marshal; Brother Charles D. C. Moore, Senior Deacon; Brother Tom K. P. Stillwell, Junior Deacon; Brother William H. Sutherland, Senior Steward; Brother Frank D. Bradley, Junior Steward; Brother J. Henry Paige, Organist; Brother Henry W. Wagenfeld, Inside Sentinel; Brother Winfred M. Sanborn, Tyler; Brother William II. Peare, Substitute.

All the Lynn Lodges and many Lodges in the district were represented by officers and members, the entire line of Damascus Lodge being present.

Thirty petitioners have been made Master Masons by the Lodge while under dispensation.

Brother Tom K. P. Stillwell who had served with the American Expeditionary Forces, was reappointed a major in the regular army in November, 1920 and was forced to resign from the line.

Bethlehem Lodge is deeply grateful to Mt. Carmel Lodge for her gift of the Great. Lights, Golden Fleece Lodge for the Collars and Jewels, and Damascus Lodge for the Rods. Truncheons, and Gavel.

25TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, MAY 1945

From Proceedings, Page 1945-177:

By Worshipful Hayden G. Kimball.

On the fifth day of March, in the year of 1920, a group of prominent Masons met in the Prelate Hall of the Lynn Masonic Apartments for the purpose of instituting a new Masonic Lodge. Right Worshipful Harry P. Gifford, District Deputy Grand Master of the Eighth Masonic District, opened the meeting and explained the necessary procedure to institute a new Lodge and read the warrant of the Grand Lodge, empowering the ninety-two petitioners, all Master Masons in good standing, to form and open the new Lodge after the manner of ancient custom and usage.

The first elective officers were chosen as follows:

  • Walter H. Macomber, Worshipful Master
  • W. Arthur Childs, Senior Warden
  • Thomas E. P. Wilson, Junior Warden
  • George H. Gage, Treasurer
  • Everett B. Stacey, Secretary

The new officers were seated in due form and the appointive officers were named as follows:

  • Charles D. C. Moore, Senior Deacon
  • Tom K. P. Stilwell, Junior Deacon
  • William H. Sutherland, Senior Steward
  • Frank D. Bradley, Junior Steward
  • Henry W. Wagonfeld, Inside Sentinel
  • William H. Peare, Substitute Officer

By a unanimous vote, the new Lodge was named "Bethlehem" and regular meetings were voted to be held on the first Friday of each month. Eleven petitions to receive the degrees as conferred by Bethlehem Lodge were read. The first application to be read was that of Charles Wesley Robinson of Lynn, who was elected and who received the degree of Master Mason on June 4, 1920, nearly twenty-five years ago. Today his son, George S. Robinson, is the presiding Master of the Lodge on this 28th day of May, 1945.

Up to the present, there have been twenty Worshipful Masters who have served Bethlehem Lodge, namely:

  • Wor. Walter H. Macomber†, 1920
  • Wor. W. Arthur Childs, 1921
  • Wor. T. E. P. Wilson†, 1922
  • Wor. Charles D. C. Moore†, 1923
  • R. W. Everett B. Stacey, 1924-25
  • Wor. William H. Sutherland†, 1926-27
  • Wor. William H. Peare†, 1928-29
  • Wor. 
George E. Hanson†, 1930-31
  • Wor. 
Ivan C. Sutherland, 1932
  • Wor. Hayden G. Kimball, 1933-34

  • Wor. Clarence F. Wentworth, 1935-36

  • Wor. Robert T. Pender, 1937
  • Wor. 
John J. Eade, 1938
  • Wor. 
Orville G. Caswell, 1939
  • Wor. 
James W. Burnett, 1940

  • Wor. Lyndon W. Ellis, 1941

  • Wor. Raymond R. Ward, 1942

  • Wor. Enos O. Brown, 1943
  • Wor. 
Robert W. Hutchinson, 1944

  • Wor. George S. Robinson, 1945

† = Deceased.

On December 17, 1920, Golden Fleece Lodge, represented by its Senior Warden, Brother Stacey Read Burckes, presented to Bethlehem Lodge a beautiful set of collars and jewels in token of its friendship and esteem. On January 7, 1921, Worshipful Edward C. Kimball, presiding Master of Damascus Lodge, presented rods to the Stewards and Deacons, truncheons to the Wardens, a baton to the Marshal and the gavel to the Master — all as gifts to Bethlehem from Damascus Lodge.

At a special meeting on January 21, 1921, the Lodge was opened by the Most Worshipful Arthur D. Prince, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts, who was accompanied by a distinguished suite of twenty-two Grand Lodge officers, at which time all of the officers were installed in due and ancient form. Bethlehem Lodge was then proclaimed a regular and duly constituted Lodge. From the Lodge records it may be easily visualized that this ceremony of constitution was a gala event to the more than two hundred present.

During this first year, fifty-eight candidates were elected to receive the degrees, which presaged that Bethlehem Lodge, through its active leadership and youthful enthusiasm, would stand high in the community. It was also during this first year that a group of loyal members seeking some outlet for their enthusiasm to serve the Lodge in some practical and useful manner banded themselves together to serve the monthly dinners and collations and facetiously called themselves the "White Rats." This group has remained in force over the years and has become a tradition of loyal service. It is still affectionately called the "White Rats," its badge of service being the white apron of the kitchen.

The program of the first five years of the Lodge was resplendent with social events and fraternal visits from many neighboring Lodges, and the graying records are replete with names of many famous and distinguished members of the fraternity.

In these early years a particularly friendly spirit of hospitality was zealously fostered. Bethlehem Lodge gained a glowing reputation for its exceptional monthly dinners and entertainments, as well as its many progressive activities, which have kept the Bethlehem spirit youthful and enthusiastic.

In April of 1923, the Lodge voted to hold its first May Party, the proceeds from which were to be used to establish a Charity Fund. It is a matter of historical interest to record that the Bethlehem Lodge May Party has become an annual event since this early date and has been a popular social success, as well as a means of establishing and maintaining the Lodge Charity Fund.

In June of the same year, Bethlehem Lodge held its first outing at Tinkers Island, another popular social event which regained an annual and popular diversion up until the time that approaching wartime activities caused its indefinite postponement.

Then in 1924, Everett B. Stacey, who had served the Lodge as its first Secretary, was elected and installed as Worshipful Master and was later to become District Deputy Grand Master of the Eighth Masonic District. He has continued to serve a distinguished Masonic career in Bethlehem Lodge.

From the early days of the Lodge the meetings have been enhanced by the visitations of famous degree teams from near and from far, such as the Kilwinning Club Kilties, Lynn Rotary, General Electric High Twelve Club, Canopy Club, Police Square Club and East Lynn Post 291, American Legion. For many years visitations were exchanged with Acacia Lodge of East Gloucester, Massachusetts. There are many achievements of Bethlehem Lodge which have been outstanding in our annals and to which we as members may point with pride. Ours was the first Lodge in the District to contribute one hundred per cent to the George Washington Memorial Fund. Our Lodge was also one of the first in the District to organize a Service Committee, several members of which served as Zone Service Officers and also served the Grand Lodge through the request of Most Worshipful Grand Master Dudley Hays Ferrell, who during the early years served as Chaplain of our Lodge. In any appeal which has been for a fraternal purpose, Bethlehem Lodge has been willing to accept a challenge to acknowledge its duty as a Masonic Lodge. In the recent appeal for funds for recreational centers for members serving in the Armed Forces, the Bethlehem response to this need was timely and voluntarily generous. Also, mention should be made of our generous purchases of War Bonds.

Even during the so-called "lean" years from 1929 to 1939, when economic conditions were decidedly unfavorable, Bethlehem Lodge carried on with an attractive program of spirited activities which were designed to quicken the interest of the members. It is a tribute to the loyalty of our leadership that during that trying period we were able to maintain the interest of our Brethren; always to function as an outstanding member lodge of the fraternity and preserve a proud heritage.

There are two other Bethlehem social activities which have attained to traditional significance in the Bethlehem program and which have been annual social highlights since the early years of Lodge history: one is the Annual Roll Call and Smoker, which takes place in March of each year and which abounds in rollicking fun; while the other event is the Annual Ladies' Night, characterized by special entertainment and refreshments.

Bethlehem Lodge participation in events which have required the co-operation of all Lynn Lodges has been, and is, a matter of pleasing record to all members. We have shared in the Annual St. John's Day procession and service and have taken a generous subscription to the Masonic Temple Association. The Lodge has also contributed to the new Organ Fund.

Any history of our Lodge could well give space and brotherly consideration to each Master's administration and record the achievements of his leadership as an officer over the years, since all have made a definite and lasting contribution to our Brotherhood. The glory that is theirs, however, has been and still is the glory of the privilege of service to their Brethren, and the written record of their deeds and devotion will always be carefully guarded in the Lodge archives and locked securely in the hearts of the Brethren. To those who have been described in the immortal words of the poet Tennyson as having "Crossed the Bar," we bow in homage for their exemplary conduct in the affairs of the Craft, enabling Bethlehem Lodge to steer a well charted course and preserve the high standards of Masonry.

Bethlehem Lodge was instituted with ninety-two charter members. It is interesting to note that as of this date our membership now totals 397, of which twenty-two are charter members.

During the past few years, we have been receiving applications for membership far in excess of normal, and the officers of the Lodge have been contributing energy and effort in a correspondingly greater degree. In spite of the burden of an enlarged program of work, we may take no small pride in the effort to safeguard the privilege of membership in our Lodge, as well as the additional efforts of our officers and members to contribute to one important educational activity of the Grand Lodge — the Lodge of Instruction.

And too, in these trying years of our country at war, in a conflict waged around the globe, Bethlehem Lodge takes pride in the goodly percentage of members serving in the Armed Services in many theatres. Suffice it to say that Bethlehem has not forgotten these Brothers.

The factual history of the instituting of our Lodge and the current of active life is thus briefly recorded. The detailed history of the actual proceedings shall remain in the recorded minutes for a History Committee some day to set down in greater detail.

This, then, is our twenty-fifth birthday. We have reached our majority. Although Bethlehem Lodge is still young in years as compared with Lodges founded in colonial days, we, as members, can feel proud of the spirit of youth over some of our mature achievements. From a modest beginning in 1920, we offer the justification for our pride that during these twenty-five years we have been able to contribute to the well being of the Craft by a unity of purpose and a desire to serve in a magnificent brotherhood.

May we, therefore, repeat the hope as expressed by Miss Hazel E. Dunphy, who presented to the Lodge our beautiful bookmark in token of her appreciation of the acceptance of the name "Bethlehem" when the Lodge was first instituted, and who sent this message with her gift: "May Bethlehem Lodge shine as the Star of Bethlehem has shone throughout the ages and become as well known and beloved as the memory of the little Town of Bethlehem."

OTHER

  • 1969 (Presentation in Grand Lodge)

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

DISTRICTS

1920: District 8 (Lynn)

1927: District 8 (Lynn)

2003: District 9

LINKS

Massachusetts Lodges

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