Crescent

CRESCENT LODGE

Location: Pittsfield

Chartered By: Sereno D. Nickerson

Charter Date: 09/09/1874 1874-91

Precedence Date: 09/12/1873

Current Status: merged with Pittsfield Lodge to form Crescent-Pittsfield Lodge, 06/13/1990.

PAST MASTERS

Need list of living Past Masters

Henry Chickering, 1873, 1874
George C. Dunham, 1875-1877
William E. Vermilye, 1878-1881
William F. Gale, 1882
George H. Tucker, 1883-1885; SN
William P. Wood, 1886, 1887; SN
John F. Noxon, 1888
Charles W. French, 1889; SN
Charles E. Bennett, 1890; SN
Walter Cutting, 1891
Harlan H. Ballard, 1892, 1893
Almon H. Harrison, 1894
Sears Chester Lyon, 1895, 1896; SN
George C. Fish, 1897
G. Albert Kenyon, 1898
Charles W. Wright, 1899
William H. Barrows, 1900; Mem
Herbert A. Humphrey, 1901
Charles I. King, 1902
William R. Thomas, 1903
George W. Gardner, 1904
Charles A. Byram, 1905
William E. Rainey, 1906
Herbert J. Bradley, 1907
Levi D. Case, 1908
Frank M. White, 1909
William F. McKenzie, 1910
Robert A. Barbour, 1911
Wilfred H. Castle, 1912
Charles A. Acly, 1913
Oliver L. Bartlett, 1914
Howard P. Brown, 1915
Charles S. Shaw, 1916
Frank P. Simpson, 1917
Oliver Root, 1918
Herbert W. Andrews, 1919
Robert A. Walker, 1920
Russell O. Skinner, 1921
Arthur F. Jones, 1922; SN
George M. Emmerich, 1923
J. Howard Fryer, 1924
Charles H. Martin, 1925
Harry C. Darling, 1926
Albert E. Wing, 1927
John Glass, 1928
George D. McKay, 1929
Emil Bolza, 1930
William G. Dominick, 1931
Irving H. Farrar, 1932
Frank F. Wilkins, 1933
David B. King, 1934
Wendell G. Ahem, 1935
Harold N. Currier, 1936
J(ohn). Everett Mason, 1937; N
Wallace R. Dee, 1938
Harold S. Clark, 1939
Ralph D. Jones, 1940
George S. Murphy, 1941
William F. Bolza, 1942, 1943
Ernest H. Thomas, 1944
Harry E. Adams, 1945
Robert H. Bolza, 1946
Harry T. Bardwell, 1947
Lloyd A. Stokes, Jr., 1948
Louis J. Heidel, 1949
Karl O. Lepisto, 1950
James D. Fryer, 1951
Thaddeus F. Robinson, 1952
Donald G. Butler, 1953
Harrison M. Douglas, Jr., 1954
Leavitt L. Wood, 1955
William E. Skinner, 1956
Edward Armstrong, 1957
Carl E. Mesnig, 1958
Walter W. Syrett, 1959
Bertram B. Robinson, Jr., 1960
Richard K. Cooper, 1961
Frank J. Trato, 1962
Victor R. Carmon, 1963
Jules E. Gillette, 1964
John J. Dooley, 1965
George S. Torrey, 1966
James W. Wagstaff, Sr., 1967
Arthur W. Clark, 1968
Irving I. Siegel, 1969
Alfred J. Campagna, 1970
Carl E. Mesnig, 1971
Benjamin G. Robinson, 1972, 1973; PDDGM
Irving I. Siegel, 1974
Stephen J. Twining, Sr., 1975, 1981
Frederick E. Fiske, 1976, 1984, 1987; PDDGM
James F. Anderson, 1977
John R. Sutton, 1978
Richard C. Johnson, 1979, 1983; N
Edgar F. Sewell, 1980
Richard G. Lunt, 1982
Howard C. Fiske, 1985, 1986
Michael H. Westphal, 1988
Harold M. Melle, 1989

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

Petition for Dispensation: 1873
Petition for Charter: 1874
Consolidation Petition (with Pittsfield Lodge): 1990

ANNIVERSARIES

1923 (50th Anniversary)
1948 (75th Anniversary)
1973 (Centenary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

1874 (Nickerson; Constitution of Lodge and installation)
1890 (Wells; St. John's Day)
1895 (Holmes; Centennial of Evening Star Lodge)
1896 (Holmes; Centennial of Cincinnatus Lodge)
1901 (Gallagher)
1902 (Gallagher)
1904 (Sanford)
1912 (Benton; cornerstone laying for Masonic hall)
1922 (Prince)
1923 (Ferrell; 50th Anniversary)
1948 (Keith; 75th Anniversary)
1970 (Jaynes)
1973 (Vose; Centenary)
1990 (Darling; consolidation with Pittsfield Lodge)

BY-LAW CHANGES

1878 1880 1883 1889 1901 1916 1924 1931 1934 1935 1952 1960 1968 1975 1980 1984 1986

HISTORY

1923 (50th Anniversary History, 1923-336)
1948 (75th Anniversary History, 1948-161)
1973 (Centenary History, 1973-93)

HISTORY FROM 75TH AND 100TH ANNIVERSARIES

From the Crescent-Pittsfield Lodge web site:

The Charter of Crescent Lodge is dated September 9, 1874. This is signed by Most Worshipful Sereno D. Nickerson, Grand Master and Charles H. Titus, Grand Secretary. Following are the names of the charter members: Henry Chickering, George C. Dunham, Hezekiah S. Russell, John C. Parker, Truman E. Cole, Dewitt C. Munyan, George Van Valkenburg, Theodore L. Allen, Henry Eastman, Charles Van De Mark, Clark F. Hall, William M. Prince, Jarvis N. Dunham, Charles D. Mills.

These Brothers demitted from Mystic Lodge, and we are told that the feeling between the two lodges was not very friendly. This condition lasted for some time. You will see later how this gap was closed by the diplomatic action and Masonic friendliness of two distinguished Masters, with the result that each lodge now regards the other in the highest degree, Brothers all. However, it was on September 18, 1873 that a dispensation was issued by the Grand Lodge to the above Brethren, to organize Crescent Lodge. The Grand Master appointed Brother Henry Chickering to be the first Master, Brother George C. Dunham to be the first Senior Warden, Brother Hezekiah S. Russell to be the first Junior Warden.

It was at this meeting also that the Officers necessary to function as a lodge were selected and appointed, as follows: Brother Charles W. Van DeMark, Treasurer; Brother Theodore L. Allen, Secretary; Brother Henry Eastman, Senior Deacon; Brother Dewitt C. Munyan, Junior Deacon; Brother Clark F. Hall, Senior Steward; Brother Charles W. Van Valkenburg, Junior Steward; Brother Truman E. Cole, Marshal; Brother Charles D. Mills, Inside Sentinel; Brother John C. Parker, Tyler. Committees were appointed to make the necessary arrangements for lodge regalia, books, stationery, etc. The regular communications were held on the third Monday of each month.

The meetings were held in the Masonic Hall which was located on the upper floor of the Berkshire Life Building, corner of North and West Streets in Pittsfield.

Worshipful Brother George C. Dunham served as Master from 1875 to 1878. William E. Vermilye, M.D. was elected Master in 1878 and served until 1882. In 1882 William F. Gale was elected Master and served one term. Worshipful George H. Tucker served as Master from 1883 to 1886. He was the first Past Master of Crescent Lodge to be appointed District Deputy Grand Master for this district. Worshipful Brother Tucker was succeeded as Master by William P. Wood, 1886 to 1888, who was also later appointed District Deputy Grand Master.

Some very interesting meetings took place during the early eighteen-nineties between Ancient City Lodge, No. 452 of Albany, New York and Crescent. It was on St. John’s Day, June 25, 1894 that Ancient City presented Crescent with an ivory gavel suitably inscribed and which we treasure very highly today. Quoting from “The Graphic” Berkshire Gossip, dated June 28, 1894, “The Albany Free Masons and the Pittsfield Free Masons are just now swimming in a deep sea of brotherly regard, and have presented Crescent with a costly gavel with which its Master can call his audience from labor to refreshment. How can Crescent return this marked compliment from the fraternity in the Capital City of New York, is bothering the brains of the Worshipful down to the guard at the outer door. Wouldn’t it be a brilliant hit if a piece of the old Elm could be found large enough to make a handsome “rapper” to wake up the Albany brotherhood with a regular Mohegan thud on a hot night.”

It was in 1892 when Right Worshipful Frank E. Peirson, Past Junior Grand Warden, was Master of Mystic Lodge, and Right Worshipful Harlan H. Ballard was Master of Crescent Lodge that each invited the other to occupy the East of their respective lodges on a regular meeting night. This was the start of the annual visits between the two lodges which have continued ever since. Right Worshipful Brother Peirson was made an Honorary Member of Crescent Lodge in 1947, in token of the many things he has done which have benefited our Lodge.

The membership in 1893 was 102. This number steadily increased due to some extent to the affiliation of Masons who were raised in nearby Lodges and locating in growing Pittsfield, demitted from their home lodge.

The Twenty-fifth Anniversary was held September 26, 1898, in Masonic Hall, Berkshire Life Building. Present and taking part in the ceremonies were the members of the original Crescent Quartet: Brothers James P. Fryer, Fred T. Francis, Louis K. Willis and Thomas L. Jones.

The membership at the turn of the century was 195. Worshipful Brother Charles H. Wright was Master in 1900. There is a note appended to the report of the year. Quote, “everything was peaceful and harmonious throughout the year”.

At the annual meeting held September 25, 1900, an amendment was made to the bylaws making the annual dues three dollars.

The 355th Stated and 27th Annual Communication was held September 23, 1901, William H. Barrows Master. At this meeting a resolution was made and spread upon the records, on the death of William McKinley, late President of the United States.

Worshipful Herbert A. Humphrey was Master in 1901. It was during his term as Master that inter-lodge visits between Masters Lodge of Albany and Crescent commenced. During this era Crescent’s Fellowcraft Team was the drawing attraction at many meetings.

Worshipful Charles I. King was Master in 1902 and 1903. During his term, and on April 27th twenty-one members were recognized for their twenty-one years of service.

In 1904, Worshipful William R. Thomas was Master. At the annual meeting that year he was elected the second time to this office but declined the honor, on the second ballot Brother George W. Gardner was elected. During his year thirty-three were admitted, and the membership August 31, 1905 was 302. Worshipful Charles A. Byram was elected Master at the annual meeting. On January 22, 1906 an invitation was extended to Masters Lodge of Albany, New York, to visit Crescent. These inter-lodge visits were evidently taking place at about five year intervals. During this year the San Francisco earthquake happened. It is recorded in the minutes of the meeting September 25, 1906 that Crescent Lodge voted to contribute one hundred dollars to a fund being subscribed among the lodges of the country, to relieve the distressed Brethren in the stricken area.

Worshipful Brother Byram was succeeded as Master by William F. Rainey, 1906-1907. Worshipful William H. Barrows was elected Secretary, and held this office until 1915. Brother Levi D. Case was Master in 1908-1909. Worshipful Brother Frank M. White was installed Master on October 18, 1919, served one term and was succeeded by Worshipful William F. McKenzie.

A Special Communication was held on April 27, 1914 in the Small Lodge Room, to confer the Master Mason Degree on Brother Joseph McArthur Vance, the architect of the new Masonic Temple. Worshipful Charles A. Acly was Master at the time. The corner stone was laid on October 10, 1912 by Most Worshipful Everett C. Benton, Grand Master, The Temple was dedicated Monday, May 4, 1914.

Dr. Oliver L. Bartlett, Master in 1914-1915 was succeeded by Howard P. Brown. Worshipful William H. Barrows retired as Secretary. Brother Leopold M. Cone was elected to fill this office at the annual meeting September 25, 1916. Also at this meeting a change in the by-laws was made raising the annual dues from three to five dollars. The membership was then 434.

Worshipful Charles S. Shaw was elected Master in 1916. On October 30, 1916, Brother Fred T. Francis was presented with a gold watch in recognition of faithful service as treasurer over a period of twenty-five years. He was succeeded in office by Worshipful David B. King.

It was as you recall that in this period World War I was taking place. Many new names were added to the roster of Crescent Lodge. Those who rendered faithful service to their country and honor to the fraternity will never be forgotten, for their names appear on the bronze plaque hung upon the north panel.

Dr. Frank P. Simpson was elected Master on October 16, 1917. It is noted in the minutes of the meeting held November 16, 1917, that a committee was appointed at the request of Right Worshipful Harry T. Brague, District Deputy Grand Master, to see if the formation of a third lodge in this city is advisable at this time. The committee appointed, together with a committee from Mystic Lodge, reported that due to the unsettled conditions brought on by the was it would not be the thing to tackle at this time.

On June 17, 1918, Crescent was again host to Masters Lodge of Albany. The banquet was held at the Maplewood Hotel, corner of North and Maplewood Avenue. It was mentioned that these fraternal visits have now extended over a period of thirty years.

Worshipful Oliver Root was Master in 1918. He is the last member from Crescent Lodge to maintain membership in Pittsfield Lodge. Pittsfield Lodge recognized this fact a few years ago and bestowed upon him an Honorary Membership. He is also considered Chaplain Emeritus of Crescent, his home lodge.

Pittsfield Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument

Worshipful Herbert W. Andrews was elected Master September 22, 1919. During his term the Memorial to those who served in the Armed Forces was dedicated, January 23, 1920. At the ceremonies that evening twenty-eight out of the fifty-five were present, and eventually every one of that number returned safely. Please note that during the year just passed eighty-four candidates were raised, and the membership September 27, 1920 was 546.

Worshipful Brother Andrews was succeeded in the East by Worshipful Robert A. Walker. During this year the lodge reverted to a more normal course of activities.

At the Annual Communication held September 26, 1921 plans were made to observe the fiftieth anniversary of the Lodge. Worshipful William T. Thomas was appointed general chairman. Worshipful Russell O. Skinner, Master in 1922 had a very busy and successful term. Another visit was made to Masters Lodge. Also during his term a mass meeting was held. Attending were all the lodges from both the fifteenth and sixteenth districts, to honor a visit from Most Worshipful Arthur D. Price, Grand Master. The Grand Masters address was on the newly formed Masonic Service Association.

Worshipful Arthur F. Jones was elected Master for the 1922-1923 term and was also appointed in 1933 to be the District Deputy Grand Master for the sixteenth district. Brother Leopold M. Cone retired as Secretary and was succeeded by Worshipful Herbert W. Andrews. It was on January 31, 1923 that the first Joint Communication of Mystic, Crescent and Pittsfield Lodges was held.

The 466th Special Communication, September 26, 1923 was held to observe the Fiftieth Anniversary. Most Worshipful Dudley H. Ferrell, Grand Master, made a very interesting address, and the historical address was given by Worshipful Harlan H. Ballard. It was noted that one of the pleasing incident was the presenting of a beautiful basked of flowers to the lodge and fifty American Beauty Roses from Mystic Lodge. The records from this meeting along with the other papers of record were sealed in a copper box, and are to be kept intact until our One Hundredth Anniversary. The membership at this date was 601.

It is well that we observe these figures from time to time, as they will show the trend of the times whereby the number is affected.

The first Masonic funeral from the Temple was held July 24, 1924, that of Worshipful Brother William T. Petherbridge, Honorary Past Master of Crescent Lodge. Worshipful George M. Emmerich was Master at the time. During his year a series of dances was held, the proceeds being donated to furnish a room in the Williams addition at the Masonic Home.

Worshipful J. Howard Fryer was installed Master of Crescent on September 24, 1924. During his year many interesting meetings took place. Notably American Legion Night, held Monday Evening, November 17, 1924. Particular effort was made at this meeting to introduce as many patriotic innovations as possible without interfering with the ritual. The Crafts Club of the Boston and Albany Railroad was very active at the time, and took part in two meetings that year.

Since the celebration of our 75th anniversary in 1948, Crescent Lodge has been fortunate to have been able to have as its Master the highest caliber of men and Mason to continue the work of the Lodge.

In the past 25 years we have seen many example of the fine spirit of Fraternalism that is so deeply seated in the Masonic Fraternity. We have had the pleasure of many degree teams exemplifying the degrees to the enjoyment of all present. It is quite impressive to the candidates to find fellow co-workers and friend participating in the work especially when the candidate had no previous knowledge of their Masonic affiliations.

Some of the more recent occasions were General Electric night, May 18, 1959 when the Third Degree was conferred on two candidates by a large team of officers who were all employees of the General Electric Company as were the two candidates. November 23, 1959 brought Bankers Night when the stations were filled by bankers representing 15 banks, 12 Lodges and 5 Masonic districts. The third degree was conferred on two candidates. On February 18, 1961 the stations were assumed by eight Past District Deputy Grand Masters and conferred the Third Degree on one candidate; on September 28, 1970 the Nordic Trowel Club of Springfield journeyed to Pittsfield to confer the Third Degree on the son-in-law of one of their members along with four others. The excellence of these degree teams is unsurpassed and is an inspiration to all regular officers to do their level best in introducing candidates to the mysteries of Freemasonry.

In the minutes of the last 25 years one unusual instance of Brotherly Love stands out. On May 26, 1958, after the D.D.G.M., Karl D. Henry was introduced, he introduced Brother Carl E. Strattman, who he said had a very unusual presentation to make, he having traveled from San Diego, California specifically to be present in Crescent Lodge for the occasion.

Brother Strattman then briefly related how he had been responsible for Brother Russell G. Wilson’s moving to the West Coast in the early 1940’s to become a salesman for Brother Stattman’s new fruit juice company as a door-to-door salesman, and how it became necessary for Brother Wilson to return to the East, and because of financial reasons Brother Wilson was suspended from Crescent Lodge for non-payment of dues. Brother Strattman was responsible for the recent re-instatement of Brother Wilson into Crescent Lodge membership.

At this point Brother Strattman walked up to Brother Wilson, and pronounced, that as Deputy Sheriff of Cochise County, Tombstone, Arizona, he was placing him under arrest for the heinous crime of non-payment of dues. He then conducted him to the East before Worshipful “Judge” Karl D. Henry who ”sentenced” him to “Life” membership in Crescent Lodge. Brother Strattman then presented Brother Wilson with a certificate of life membership in Crescent Lodge, mounted in a frame which Brother Strattman had made from wood obtained from the timber of the house built and lived in by Brother Paul Revere.

At this same meeting the Brethren of Columbia Lodge #98 Of Chatham, New York exemplified the Third Degree. As mentioned above, them membership was 601 in 1923 and now in 1973 the membership is at about 350. It seems that in this day and age there seems much more to do outside of the Lodge than there was fifty years ago when there was no television or outdoor movies and such. The Lodge is still held in great respect but it does not seem to be the center of community life that it once was. Today most of our members are over forty years of age and candidates have not been too plentiful in the last couple of years for Crescent Lodge. This situation seems t run in cycles and we hope for the best.

In our Centennial year there has been a great deal of renewed interest by many members and many events have been planned and committees formed; the most notably is that which is headed by Brother Louis Esterman and his wife Ella to see that the Masonic Widows are kept track of, and that they are remembered on special days like Mother’s Day and that they are invited to all the functions that the ladies may attend. This year also Brother Herman Garbowit was named Chaplain Emeritus and was presented with his own special jewel of his office.

A special Commemorative Medal has been struck for the 100th Anniversary. It was designed by Brother Stephen Twining and the artwork was done by Brother Robert DiOrio. Each member will receive on of the medals attached to a blue ribbon that may be worn at any symbolic lodge meeting. Medals with no ribbons were made available for all those who wanted them for a nominal fee.

This year at the stated communication of April 23, 1973 Most Worshipful Donald W. Vose was elected to honorary membership in Crescent Lodge ad was presented with a silver commemorative medal to wear.

At the Centennial Meeting On May 12, 1973 the box that was sealed at the 50th Anniversary in 1923 was opened. The Worshipful Master said that a similar box would be prepared to house the original box and appropriate additional items and that it would be sealed to be opened in the year 2023.

And so, brethren, at the close of the first century of Crescent Lodge let us thank the Grand Architect of the universe for a glorious past and pray that with his help Crescent Lodge will enjoy another century under his all seeing eye and that all our members, present and future, will always remember the more noble and glorious uses of the working tools of the Master Mason.

So Mote It Be!