Boylston

BOYLSTON LODGE

Location: West Boylston

Note on Page 1974-67 on Meeting Places of Boylston Lodge:

1876-1890: Upper room of the First Baptist Church in Boylston, until it was destroyed by fire.
1890-1904: Various places in Boylston, including the Town Selectmen's Room, the Odd Fellows Hall, and Thomas Hall.
1904-1972: New Town Hall and in Odd Fellows Hall on Newton Street.
1972-present: (dedicated in 1974) The former Baptist Church on the Common.

Chartered By: Percival L. Everett

Charter Date: 03/14/1877 1877-154

Precedence Date: 05/08/1876

Current Status: Active

PAST MASTERS

George M. Lourie, 1876-1878; SN
Henry F. Harris, 1879
Aaron Goodale, 1880, 1881
Charles M. Harris, Jr., 1882
A. C. Smith, 1883, 1884
Charles J. Wilder, 1885
Aaron Goodale, Jr., 1886
W. A. Earle, 1887
Linus G. Harris, 1888, 1894, 1895
Edwin G. Mague, 1889
Albert S. Garland, 1890
Louis Cutting, 1891, 1892
Artemas C. Smith, 1893
Harry L. Sawyer, 1896
George L. Wright, 1897
James F. Higgins, 1898
Arthur A. Caldwell, 1899
Moses J. Look, 1900
Leon A. Goodale, 1901, 1902
Franklin E. Walker, 1903, 1904
Merrill A. Love, 1905
Charles E. Bolton, 1906
George L. Wright, 1907
Frank G. Goodale, 1908, 1909
Walter G. Boynton, 1910
Walter H. Bray, 1911, 1913
Walter E. Robbins, 1912
Frank H. Washburn, 1914
Edgar P. Neal, 1915
Stephen P. Streeter, 1916
Harry W. Trask, 1917
Thomas Kingdon, 1918
Aaron Goodale, Sr., 1919
Wayland A. Tuttle, 1920
Frank H. Cate, 1921-1923; SN
Elihu F. Kelton, 1924
Raymond S. Huntington, 1925
George L. Cutting, 1926
Robert E. Lamb, 1927
Francis N. Luce, 1928
Cromwell E. Fairbanks, 1929
Edgar W. Holden, 1930
Albin A. Anderson, 1931
William H. Silvester, 1932
Frederick W. Fahlstrom, 1933
Wallace B. MacInnis, 1934
Ernest H. Smith, 1935
Wallace L. Howe, 1936
James A. Cooke, 1937
Edward Van der Pyl, 1938
Donald P. Reed, 1939, 1940
Ralph W. Hager, 1941, 1942; SN
Lester W. Fawcett, 1943
Lester L. Fawcett, 1944
E. Herbert Ekblom, 1945
G. Emil Christenson, 1946
Harold B. Haigh, 1947
Hilding A. Edberg, 1948, 1949
Peter H. Surabian, 1950, 1951; N
Randall H. Piper, 1952
Harold A. Scott, 1953
Charles H Outway, 1954, 1955
'W. Kenneh Sears, 1956
Aaron Goodale, Jr., 1957
James L. Denman, 1958, 1959
Frank A. Welus, 1960
Everett F. Howard, 1961
Warren S. Lundell, 1962, 1963
William K. Person, 1964
John Bryce, 1965
Stanley E. Long, 1966
Richard D. Gates, Sr., 1967; PDDGM
Charles H. Howard, 1968
Lester J. Josephson, 1969, 1970
Albert L. Johnson, 1971
Louis K. Aharonian, Jr., 1972
Norman C. Greenough, 1973
William A. Anderson, 1974
Peter Stewart, 1975
William H. Silvester, Jr., 1976
William A. Dowell, Jr., 1977, 1978
James R. McLain, 1979
David A. Grinkis, 1980
Donald F. MacKenzie, 1981
Robert D. Gates, 1982
Glenn T. McLain, 1983
Arthur J. Fancy, 1984, 1985
Robert G. Hendrickson, Jr., 1986, 1987
Roger W. Hall, Jr., 1988
Roger G. Lindfors, 1989
James W. Ramsey, 1990, 1991
Stephen R. Leslie, 1992
Stephen R. Leslie, 1993, 1994
John E. Ballard, 1995, 1996
James W. Ramsey, 1997
Kenneth L. Sleeper, 1998
Robert A. Hager, 1999
Michael D. Mullins, 2000
Timothy J. Kelly, 2001-2003; PDDGM
John E. Ballard, 2004
Keith M. Fancy, 2005, 2006
Louis M. Papagni, 2007; PDDGM
Frederick L. Palmer, 2008, 2009
Daniel L. Thibeault, 2010-2012

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

Petition for Dispensation: 1876
Petition for Charter: 1877

ANNIVERSARIES

1951 (75th Anniversary)
1977 (Centenary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

1877 (Everett; Constitution of Lodge)
1951 (Roy; 75th Anniversary)
1974 (Vose; Hall dedication)
1977 (Maxwell; Centenary)

BY-LAW CHANGES

1877 1901 1902 1912 1913 1914 1919 1923 1926 1927 1940 1947 1952 1955 1962 1967 1973 1976 1985 1988 1989 1992 2004 2012

HISTORY

1951 (75th Anniversary History, 1951-77)

75TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, MAY 1951

From Proceedings, Page 1951-77:

By Worshipful Walter Bray, Worshipful James Cooke, Worshipful Aaron Goodale, Worshipful Raymond Huntington, Worshipful Francis Luce, Worshipful Donald Reed, and Worshipful William Silvester.

The complete history of any group as read from the records is a long and arduous task. The most interesting history we would find in the thoughts and experiences of the Lodge members. Let us briefly review some of the events in the earlier years of Boylston Lodge and so relive those early experiences.

The desire on the part of several Masons, probably of Trinity Lodge of Clinton, to establish a new Lodge could have been due to the growing interest in Masonry throughout the State. As you may recall, before the year 1775 only seven Lodges existed in the Massachusetts Colony. Three were in Boston, one at Marblehead, one at Gloucester, one at Newburyport and one in Nantucket. Between the years 1776-1800, twenty-eight new Lodges were constituted, and during the next fifty years, thirty-four more were added. By 1850, there were sixty-nine Lodges in Massachusetts. The interest in Masonry then began to spread like wild-fire. Between the years 1850 and 1875, there were established in this State one hundred and forty-one new Lodges. Is it any wonder then that several members of Trinity Lodge who resided in Boylston, Sterling and West Boylston requested the Grand Lodge for a special dispensation to form a new Lodge in West Boylston? This dispensation was granted by the Grand Lodge on March 8, 1876. The only other Lodge in Massachusetts to receive its dispensation that year was Joseph Webb Lodge in Boston.

The first regular communication was held April 10, 1876, in the "Masonic Room" of the Baptist Church. This church was a wooden structure that formerly stood where the stone church now stands — beside the waters of Wachusett Reservoir. Though now abandoned, it stands as a monument to the past, and it might be said to mark the birthplace of Boylston Lodge. The following officers and Masons were present, with Dana Bancroft as presiding Master, at this first meeting in 1876:

George M. Lourie
Aaron Goodale
Alfred Whiting
John O. Flagg
Rev. I. Sawyer
Henry F. Harris
I. H. Stockwell
W. W. Ross
Charles Harris
Herbert Fisher
T. W. Sargent
E. B. Berry
Henry Pierce
C. M. Newton
Francis N. Luce
Thurston Buck
W. H. Boomer
Willard Bragg
G. B. Harris
Charles J. Wilder
Thomas H. Prescott
Charles Goodale
George Bassett
Lawrence Hastings
B. L. Sykes
L. J. Lawrence
B. L. Scott

The first names proposed for membership were those of Thurber Butler and John Naylor, and Brother Butler was the first to be raised to the degree of Master Mason, on July 10, 1876. During this same year of dispensation, twelve members were raised and joined the other twenty-one in signing the original charter. On November 13, the original By-Laws were read and adopted, and a committee appointed to design a Lodge seal. The year of trial as a Lodge was completed, and on the evening of April 5, 1877, officers of the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts proceeded to constitute Boylston Lodge. The meeting was held in the lower vestry of the Baptist Church. The formal procedure of constituting and installation was conducted by Most Worshipful Percival L. Everett, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts. Assisting him were officers of the Grand Lodge, among whom were Most Worshipful Brothers William D. Coolidge, William Parkman and Sereno D. Nickerson, all Past Grand Masters. It is seventy-four years ago that a Most Worshipful Grand Master presided in Boylston Lodge.

The Lodge was assigned to be in the eleventh district, at that time under the supervision of Right Worshipful Charles W. Moody, District Deputy Grand Master, and a Past Master of Montacute Lodge.

There were in all, thirty-three names on the list of charter members. None of them are now living. The last to depart was Brother Thurston Buck of Sterling, who was buried with Masonic honors on February 24, 1929. The first elected Master to be installed was George M. Lourie. He later became the first District Deputy Grand Master to be appointed from Boylston Lodge. His term of office as District Deputy was from 1885 to 1887, and a tree was planted in his memory at the Masonic Home in Charlton on October 29, 1939, by members of this Lodge.

In the beginning, the lodge-room was in the roof part of the Baptist Church, and although small, was adequate for the number of members. Centennial Lodge No. 178, I. O. O. F., was organized the same year, and by vote of the Lodge, shared these same quarters with us. In 1882 the Lodge voted to rent the use of the room to the Grange and again, in 1886, allowed the Royal Arcanum similar privileges. On May 2, 1890, fire broke out in the church and six hundred dollars worth of property of Boylston Lodge was destroyed. The Bible, charter and regalia were saved, and fortunately, the record books were not in the lodge-room at the time. The Selectmen of the Town then offered the use of their meeting room in a building that housed the public library and a school room. This room proved useful for regular business meetings but was rather small for degree work. Only one candidate, Harry L. Sawyer, received all of his degrees in this small room. Incidentally, he received them within a period of two months. The records show that a visit from the District Deputy Grand Master also took place in the small confines of this same room, but only seventeen members were present. Beginning in November, 1891, the Lodge meetings were held in Thomas Hall, the Parish House of the Congregational Church. Meetings continued there until the erection of the Odd Fellows Hall in 1894, to which Boylston Lodge moved.

The construction of Wachusett Reservoir vitally affected the life of the whole Town, and Boylston Lodge was no exception. The Town seemed doomed and conditions were in a state of uncertainty. There were a few new members who joined the Lodge, thus providing degree work, but at times there were insufficient members present to fill the officers' chairs. The future looked very dark. Fortunately, the Town slowly took shape on the hillside overlooking the new reservoir and Boylston Lodge, like the other organizations, found again its place in the community. Centennial Lodge of Odd Fellows moved its building from the valley to its present location on Newton Street, and in 1903, Boylston Lodge again made its home in that building. However, due to various misunderstandings and dissatisfactions, the Lodge, after six years, changed its meeting place, this time to the new Town Hall. Here, beginning in September 1909, for another six years it carried on its regular work. During this interim residence several gifts of Lodge furniture were presented by several of the Brothers. Door knockers were given by Brothers Warren Goodale and Arthur Parker. Silver jewels for the officers to wear at Grand Lodge were presented by the Master and Wardens — Brothers Munson Flagg, Walter Robbins and Walter Bray.

On February 12, 1912, a new Bible, "The Great Light in Freemasonry" was presented to the Lodge by the sons of Wor. Aaron Goodale IV in memory of their father. It was most significant that this Bible, which now adorns our Altar, should perpetuate the name of so distinguished a Masonic family. Four generations of Goodales are listed among our membership. The first Aaron Goodale (the third generation to bear the name of Aaron) was a charter member and became the fourth Master of the Lodge in 1880. His son, Aaron IV, became a Master Mason in 1878 and was the eighth Master, in 1885-86. All three of the sons of Aaron IV became members of Boylston Lodge. Two of them have been Master — Leon was the nineteenth, in 1900-1902, and Aaron V was thirty-fourth Master, in 1918-1919. It is hoped in a few more years that the fourth generation of Aaron Goodales will preside over Boylston Lodge. Aaron, Jr. is at present a Steward of Boylston Lodge.

On April 8, 1912, the Lodge voted the approval of a Masonic Lodge in Rutland, and on May 4, 1912, Rufus Putnam Lodge was instituted. For many years the two Lodges have observed St. John's Sunday together. Past Master's jewels had not been given since 1887, and by vote of the Lodge, plans were made to correct this omission. Hence, on May 13, 1912, in the presence of a distinguished group of guests and Brethren, jewels were presented to eleven Past Masters. They were presented by Right Worshipful Henry Dyke, District Deputy Grand Master of the 21st District. Five other Past Masters who were unable to attend received theirs at a later date.

September 27, 1915, found the Lodge convening again in the Odd Fellows Hall on Newton Street and for nearly thirty-six years now we have continued to make this our home.

The meeting on March 12, 1917, was devoted to the fortieth anniversary of the granting of the charter. The Secretary, Wor. George Wright, read a prepared summary of the major events of the first forty years. (Much of the material used for this seventy-fifth anniversary history was mentioned in his summary.)

The net membership in forty years had grown from the original thirty-three to one hundred twenty-five. This year of 1917 was also the year of celebration of two hundred years of established Masonry in England. The Secretary was authorized to write in our records an appropriate commemoration of this great event. The account of this appears in our records on June 13, 1917.

The next two years were strenuous ones. Our country was at war; our members were entering the Armed Service; there was a shortage of fuel which interfered with our regular meetings and influenza epidemics caused meetings to be cancelled. The regularity of Lodge work continued during the next few years, with the addition of new members and the passing away of the older ones. With the loss of each of our Brothers, suitable tribute was paid them relative to their contribution to the Masonic work.

The year 1926 marked the fiftieth anniversary of Boylston Lodge and proper plans were made for a suitable celebration. This anniversary was held in cooperation wd Centennial Lodge, I. O. O. F., on May 6. The complete report or this event has been lost from the records — a very regrettable fact The membership on this fiftieth anniversary had grown to W, With the passing of the fifty year mark, the Lodge could bote forward to the awarding of service medals to those of thor members who had practiced Masonry half a century. The first presentation was made to the only living charter member, Thurston Buck, who was raised in 1876. He received his medal n October 24, 1927, and was buried February, 1929. It was presented by R. W. Otis C. White, then District Deputy Grand Master.

The history of the Lodge during the list twenty-five years has been very much a part of the lives of many of our present members. More than two hundred new members have been admitted to help carry on the fraternal, charitable and social work of the Lodge. We also mourn the passing of many of our true and faithful Brothers. These twenty-five years have passed swiftly, with certain instances standing tit in our memory. Out of our jurisdiction grew another Lodge —our Brothers from Shrewsbury requested a release to form Matthew John Whittall Lodge in 1928. On October 26, 1930, the second fifty-year medal was presented to Brother Emory Bacon; R.W. Brother Frank Cate became District Deputy Grand Master — the second to be chosen from Boylston Lodge in its fifty-eight years of existence. He was presented his jewel on October 29, 1934, and since that time, has left us to join the Celestial Lodge above. The third fifty-year medal was presented on December 15, 1941, to our Wor. Brother George Wright. Wor. Brother Wright served twice as Master, seven years as Secretary, and was a noted authority on many of the historic events in Masonry and in the history of his Town of Boylston.

Wor. James F. Higgins, our oldest living Past Master, was presented his fifty-year jewel on June 19, 1944. Wor. Brother Higgins was Master in 1897-1898. At present he is living in Athol and is in very poor health. Two more of our Brothers were honored with their fifty-year medals on April IS, 1946 — Arthur H. Broad of Worcester and Chester E. Lord.

The By-Laws of Boylston Lodge have been revised many times to meet the changing demands. The last time it was to establish a building fund, to which every member contributes $1.00 a year. To this fund has been added the gift of $500 made by the late Brother Robert C. Houghton. It is hoped that some day this fund will assist us in erecting a building of our own.

Those of us who remember Brother Edgar A. Whitcomb will recall that on June 9, 1947, a presentation was made to him of a gold watch. This was a gift from his many Brothers in recognition of his long and faithful service as Lodge Treasurer. Brother Whitcomb joined Boylston Lodge in May, 1917, and became its Treasurer in November, 1923, which office he held for twenty-five years. He was well-known for his many visits to his Brothers who were sick and in need of comfort. His passing in January, 1951, was sad news to us all. Three other Brothers who received their fifty-year medals were Albert O. Bullard, who received his on November 10, 1947, in Boylston Lodge; George L. Harris, who was presented his medal in Livingston Lodge in New York City on November 17, 1947, and Wor. Franklin E. Walker, who received his medal on January 10, 1949, in Greenleaf Lodge, Whittier, California. Wor. Brother Walker was our twenty-second Master, serving in 1902-1904.

Another outstanding event of the year 1949 was the presentation of the District Deputy Grand Master's medal to R.W. Ralph W. Hager on an official visit to Boylston Lodge on January 17. On May 20 of this year, a joint meeting was held with Rufus Putnam Lodge in the Holden Town Hall, at which time both R. W. Brother Hager of the 22nd District and R.W. George Campbell, District Deputy Grand Master of the 21st District, was present. On June 13 of last year, Mrs. Frank Cate presented to Boylston Lodge the Past Master and District Deputy Grand Master jewels of R. W. Brother Cate, together with some of his Masonic books. Another highlight of the year was the presentation to Wor. Brother Charles E. Bolton of his fifty-year medal at his home in East Millbury.

During our seventy-five years, there have been sixty-six Masters in Boylston Lodge, including Wor. E. Dana Bancroft who acted while the Lodge was working under dispensation. He was, by the way, also the first appointed Master of Trinity Lodge of Clinton in 1858. Today there are thirty-seven of these Past Masters living and nineteen are here tonight. Our membership has grown to 451 members from the original thirty-three. Boylston Lodge has not only carried on the traditional work of Masonry in the lodge-room, but has practiced these principles outside of the Lodge. This is evidenced in the records by the events of social, fraternal and charitable nature. Many incidences appear in the records of the aid given to distressed Brothers and widows. Contributions have been made by the Lodge and its members to many worthy causes, including our Masonic Home in Charlton. Social events have included Ladies' Night on several occasions, the first one occurring on January 29, 1877.

Tonight is certainly a diamond anniversary — a brilliant stone in the crystals of events. It is the first time since the installation ceremony on April 5, 1877, that a Grand Master and his distinguished suite have honored the lodge-rooms of Boylston Lodge. We are honored by their presence and may well be proud to have this as a crowning jewel in our seventy-five years of Masonry. May it also be a shining example to light the future path of Boylston Lodge.