Dorchester

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DORCHESTER LODGE

Location: Dorchester

Chartered By: Everett C. Benton

Charter Date: 03/12/1913 1913-44

Precedence Date: 06/06/1912

Current Status: in Grand Lodge Vault; merged with West Roxbury Lodge to form West Roxbury-Dorchester Lodge, 06/01/1990.

PAST MASTERS

  • William F. Schallenbach, 1912; N
  • George M. Rogers, 1913
  • William B. Rand, 1914, 1915
  • Charles A. Leavitt, 1915-1917
  • Fred A. Wright, 1918
  • Charles W. Stiles, 1919
  • Rutherford E. Smith, 1920
  • Harry Jerome Baker, 1921
  • William T. H. Salter, 1922; Mem
  • Lawrence S. Bearse, 1923; SN
  • J. Arthur McCoy, 1924
  • Raymond E. Bolles, 1925
  • J.W. Harris Wright, 1926
  • W. Eugene Bolton, 1927
  • Adrian E. Borden, 1928
  • Edwin J. Owen, 1929
  • Frank W. Prescott, 1930
  • Everard D. Steeley, 1931
  • Charles D. M. Bishop, 1932
  • Henry L. Freeman, 1933, 1934
  • Milo O. Bolton, 1935
  • Charles W. Hull, 1936
  • Abbott R. Cox, 1937
  • Irving B. Fraser, 1938
  • Adna H. Armstrong, 1939
  • Harold J. Owen, 1940
  • Paul R. Cyphert, 1941
  • Norman W. Hay, 1942
  • William M. Campbell, 1943
  • Robert R. Lee, 1944
  • Charles Tarvizian, 1945
  • James R. Spear, 1946; N
  • T. Edwin Peterson, 1947
  • Chester E. Borden, 1948
  • James W. Campbell, 1949
  • Leonard T. Reid, 1950
  • Kenneth C. Marr, 1951
  • Donald R. McClelland, 1952; SN
  • Endicott Smith, 1953
  • James K. Beith, 1954
  • John A. Buzzard, 1955
  • Alexander G. Ritchie, 1956
  • Edward M. Arslan, 1957
  • Iver T. Jacobsen, 1958
  • Elias N. Ede, 1959
  • George S. Ritchie, 1960, 1970
  • Walter B. Cavagnaro, Jr., 1961
  • Stephen Baker, Jr., 1962; N
  • Richard A. Hatch, 1963
  • William E. Blackham, 1964
  • Thomas A. Holmberg, 1965
  • Elia P. Sielinski, 1966
  • Duncan R. Campbell, 1967
  • John A. Zampine, Jr., 1968
  • Fred M. Campbell, 1969
  • Frederick C. Walsh, 1971
  • John A. Zampine, Jr., 1972
  • Ronald E. Hoeft, 1973-1975
  • Leonard H. Pinaud, 1976, 1977; PDDGM
  • Frederick C. Walsh, 1978, 1979
  • George J. Pillsbury, 1979
  • Everett Lipham, 1979-1982
  • Duncan R. Campbell, 1983
  • Royal C. Lincoln, 1984
  • Everett Lipham, 1985
  • George Archilles, 1986-1989
  • A. Richard Merrill, 1990

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

ANNIVERSARIES

  • 1937 (25th Anniversary)
  • 1962 (50th Anniversary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

BY-LAW CHANGES

1919 1923 1933 1937 1939 1940 1949 1951 1956 1966 1968 1971 1973 1978 1987 1988

HISTORY

  • 1937 (25th Anniversary History, 1937-55)
  • 1962 (50th Anniversary History, 1962-87)

50TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, MAY 1962

by Wor. Alexander G. Ritchie

The History of Dorchester Lodge for the past twenty-five years has been compiled to bring the records up to April 1962. This will be in addition to the excellent work of R.W. Frank M. Weymouth, whose writings covered the first ten years of our Lodge, and also the chronicle of Bro. Arthur H. Merritt, which recorded incidents from 1922 to the end of 1936. (See 1937 Mass:55-68)

It is in the same spirit that your historian presents an outline of the activities of Dorchester Lodge covering the years from 1937 to 1962, and which when combined will give a reasonable amount of knowledge of the half century of our Lodge's existence.

At this point I will record the names of the Past Masters who have served their respective terms up to the present date.

  • Rt. Wor. William F. Schallenbach
  • Wor. George M. Rogers
  • Wor. William B. Rand
  • Wor. Charles A. Leavitt,
  • Wor. Fred A. Wright
  • Wor. Charles W. Stiles
  • Rt. Wor. Rutherford E. Smith
  • Wor. Harry Jerome Baker
  • Wor. William T. H. Salter
  • Rt. Wor. Lawrence S. Bearse
  • Wor. J. Arthur McCoy
  • Wor. Raymond E. Bolles
  • Wor. J.W. Harris Wright
  • Wor. W. Eugene Bolton
  • Wor. Adrian E. Borden
  • Wor. Edwin J. Owen
  • Wor. Frank W. Prescott
  • Wor. Everard D. Steeley
  • Wor. Charles D. M. Bishop
  • Wor. Henry L. Freeman
  • Wor. Milo O. Bolton
  • Wor. Charles W. Hull
  • Wor. Abbott R. Cox
  • Wor. Irving B. Fraser
  • Wor. Adna H. Armstrong
  • Wor. Harold J. Owen
  • Wor. Paul R. Cyphert
  • Wor. Norman W. Hay
  • Wor. William M. Campbell
  • Wor. Robert R. Lee
  • Wor. Charles Tarvizian
  • Rt. Wor. James R. Spear
  • Wor. T. Edwin Peterson
  • Wor. Chester E. Borden
  • Wor. James W. Campbell
  • Wor. Leonard T. Reid
  • Wor. Kenneth C. Marr
  • Wor. Donald R. McClelland
  • Wor. Endicott Smith
  • Wor. James K. Beith
  • Wor. John A. Buzzard
  • Wor. Alexander G. Ritchie
  • Wor. Edward M. Arslan
  • Wor. Iver T. Jacobsen
  • Wor. Elias N. Ede
  • Wor. George S. Ritchie
  • Wor. Walter B. Cavagnaro, Jr.
  • Wor. Stephen Baker, Jr.,

Dorchester Lodge has been fortunate in having charter members and others in serving the Lodge with distinction for many years, such as Bro. Charles H. Holmes, who was Secretary for 38 years; Bro. Willett F. Casey, 20 years as Treasurer; Bro. Alexander G. MacDonald was our Tyler for 28 years; R.W. Rutherford E. Smith who, since he affixed his signature to the Lodge petition in 1912, has been an ardent and active Mason in the interests of Dorchester Lodge. These are but a few of the names of Masons that our Lodge can be proud of.

At the end of our first 25 years, we had 21 charter members and now as our 50th anniversary approaches, the number has dropped to two.

1937
  • March 4: A memorial to our late Brother R.W. Frank M. Weymouth is read in the Lodge and a copy is sent to his Widow.
  • September 2: At this annual meeting, the Lodge accepted with regret the resignation of Bro. Willett F. Casey, who had served as Treasurer for 20 years, and Bro. J. Duncan R. Campbell was elected to fill the vacancy.
  • October 7: Bro. Casey is presented to the East to receive a gold watch and chain, suitably inscribed, from R.W. Rutherford E. Smith, on behalf of the Lodge, in appreciation of his work.
1938
  • April 10: Union, Rabboni and Dorchester Lodges hold a joint special communication for the purpose of attending evening service at the Pilgrim Congregational Church.
  • May 5: Dorchester Lodge holds its first Father and Sons night in the banquet hall at the completion of the Lodge work. The lobster dinner and the entertainment is thoroughly enjoyed by all present.
  • December 1: The members are entertained in the banquet hall with vocal selections by the Glee Club of Fraternity Lodge of Newtonville. Later in the Lodge the Worshipful Master is presented with an ivory and ebony gavel, the gift coming from business associates.
1939
  • January 5: Our past Treasurer is conducted to the East to receive a bouquet of flowers in recognition of his 80th birthday.
  • March 2: This was Past Masters' Night and they raised the last candidate in their usual fine manner.
  • April 30: A special communication was held at the request of the Grand Master, Most Worshipful Joseph Earl Perry, for the purpose of attending divine service in recognition of the 150th anniversary of the inauguration of George Washington as our first president.
  • June 1: This was the 27th anniversary of the Lodge and the officers and members of Union Lodge paid a fraternal visit and completed the work of the evening. At the conclusion of the work, R.W. Rutherford E. Smith gave an interesting talk.
1940
  • June 6: The Fellowship Players of Fellowship Lodge of Bridgewater present a Masonic play entitled A Rose upon the Altar. The company rendered a fine performance and their efforts were greatly appreciated by the Brethren.
  • December 5: The Kilwinning Club of Boston, clad in their traditional Scottish garb, raised the candidate, after which our Treasurer, Bro. J. D. R. Campbell, gave a very impressive charge.
1941
  • June 5: This is the night for our annual lobster dinner, and afterwards members of the Wollaston Choral Group, under the direction of our Organist, Bro. Edward W. Whitredge, gave a very enjoyable concert.
  • December 4: An informal Ladies' Night was held in the banquet hall with a total of 100 at the dinner.
1942
  • January 2: At this meeting the death of Bro. Alexander G. MacDonald, our Tyler for so many years, is reported. A memorial is read to his memory by R.W. Rutherford E. Smith.
  • March 5: This was Past Masters' Night with 15 Past Masters present to raise the candidate, and at this meeting, the D.D.G.M., R.W. James C. Kellsey, paid a fraternal visit.
  • September 3: The annual meeting reports show that the Lodge had 309 members and that the invested funds were over $30,000.
1943
  • April 1: R.W. Paul G. Weden, D.D.G.M., pays a fraternal visit to our Lodge, accompanied by two other District Deputy Grand Masters and a large group of Past Masters of other Lodges. He spoke of the work done by the Masonic Service Committee.
  • November 4: The Lodge voted to remit the dues of members serving in the Armed Forces and to include those in the Merchant Marine during this World War.
1944
  • May 4: This was Past Masters' Night, with a father raising his son. A very impressive charge was given the candidates by R.W. Ralph Lowe, Jr., Past Deputy Grand Master. R.W. William F. Schallenback was welcomed in the Lodge after an absence of several years.
1945
  • February 1: An honor roll is dedicated with the names of the Brethren of Dorchester Lodge now serving in the Armed Forces, followed by the reading of the Bible and a prayer by Bro. J. D. R. Campbell.
  • May 12: The annual Ladies' Night was held in the banquet hall with 245 members and guests present. A concert and a dance completed an enjoyable evening.
  • December 6: The Lodge is saddened to learn of the death of Wor. Fred A. Wright, a Mason for fifty years and the 61st member to sign the By-Laws. R.W. Rutherford E. Smith has been honored by the conferral of the 33rd Degree, and tribute is paid by the Lodge and a host of friends and well-wishers.
  • The Lodge has contributed $1218 to the Masonic Military Activities and that amount exceeded our quota.
1946
  • May 2: The Crafts Club of the B & A Railroad raise a fellow worker with a large attendance of friends present.
  • September 5: The Lodge assets are now over $32,000. The downward trend of membership has stopped and an increase of eight members over the previous year is noted.
  • December: The first Children's Christmas Party is held in the banquet hall.
1947
  • January 2: The last candidate was raised in full form by members of the Jewelers' Degree Team, composed of Past Masters of various Lodges.
  • March 6: The Sodality Club of the Lodge raised the last candidate. The Sodality is composed of side line members of the Lodge and they usually confer the Fellow Craft Degree, but this was the first occasion of working on the Third.
  • September 4: The Lodge's worth is still on the increase, as well as our membership. However, this is being offset by the number of members being called to the Celestial Lodge above. From its original 100 Charter Members, the membership rose to 509 in 1930, to have a drop to 299, and now we have struggled up to a membership of 316. May the rise continue.
1948
  • May 6: This is the 35th anniversary of the Lodge. A very interesting address is given by R.W. Edwin Childs, Past Deputy Grand Master. A group of distinguished Masons are in attendance as well as eight Charter Members being present.
  • June 3: The last candidate is raised by the Rule and Line Club, composed of employees of the Boston Herald and Traveler.
  • September 2: The sacred scrolls are read for Brothers Hiram W. Colton, Carl R. Smith, Orin F. Jones, and R.W. William F. Schallenbach, the first Master (U.D.) of our Lodge.
  • December 18: The third annual Children's Christmas Party is held and is a huge success, with eighty children present with their parents and grandparents.
1949
  • February 3: The Lodge is honored by having one of our Past Masters appointed to the office of District Deputy Grand Master. R.W. James R. Spear is presented the jewel of his office by Wor. George M. Rogers on behalf of the Lodge.
  • April 7: Brother Charles H. Holmes is presented a Masonic jewel and a check from the Lodge. The inscription on the back of the jewel reads: "Presented to Bro. Charles H. Holmes — April 7, 1949 — by the members of Dorchester Lodge, A.F.&A.M., for 37 years of faithful service."
  • November 10: The annual Masonic service is held in the First Parish Church and is attended by members of the Lodges in the 4th Masonic District and members of Crusader Chapter Order of DeMolay, who act as ushers.
1950
  • February 2: A bequest of over $3000.00 from the estate of our late first Worshipful Master is accepted by the Lodge and is to be known as "The William F. Schallenbach Charity Fund".
  • September 7: Our Secretary, Bro. Charles H. Holmes, declines to return to the office he has filled so faithfully for 38 years. "Charlie", now 80 years old, is eulogized in the Lodge by R.W. Rutherford E. Smith, and on a vote of the Lodge, the office of Secretary Emeritus is created for him and accepted.
  • December 7: This was Charles H. Holmes Night. Present were twenty Past Masters, eighteen of whom escorted "Charlie" into the Lodge. R.W. James Keltie, D.D.G.M., of the Fourth Masonic District in 1912, when Bro. Holmes became Secretary, was also present. After speeches by various Past Masters, he was presented with a testimonial plaque, a check donated by members of the Lodge, and a hearing aid donated by his friends. To the strains of Auld Lang Syne, "Charlie" was escorted around the Lodge and to a seat in the East by R.W. Rutherford E. Smith and R.W. James Keltie.
  • December 16: Our annual Christmas Party for the children was held, and with 103 children and 150 elders present, was most successful.
1951
  • The By-Laws of the Lodge are amended so that members failing to pay their annual dues by May 31st shall be subject to suspension. In the banquet hall the annual "Fathers and Sons Night" took place. After dinner a very enjoyable program of entertainment was in store, which delighted all present.
  • September 6: Wor. T. Edwin Peterson reads his first and last annual report, after having served as Secretary for one year. Ill health is the cause of his resignation. The Sodality Club of the Lodge is disbanded, due to lack of interest, after having been active for many years.
  • December 6: Wor. Norman W. Hay is elected Secretary of the Lodge by dispensation on this date.
1952
  • March 6: A Fraternal Visit of the D.D.G.M., R.W. Joseph Zottoli. The last candidate is raised in long form by fellow workers, a group of distinguished Masons working for the National Shawmut Bank.
  • June 5: The sacred scroll of Bro. James Duncan Ross Campbell is read. He was Treasurer of the Lodge for 15 years, he lived his Masonry, and gave a charge to the candidates that was an inspiration to all who heard it. A tribute to Brother Campbell was ordered to be drawn up and spread upon the records and a copy to be given to his family.
1953
  • May 4: This is our annual Past Masters' Night. In the banquet hall after dinner, a large cake decorated with a Masonic emblem, is presented to Wor. George M. Rogers, our oldest Past Master, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of his being Master of Dorchester Lodge.
  • September 3: At our annual meeting, the reports of the various appointed committees are read. The reports of the membership and finance committees are discouraging and our Secretary, Wor. Norman W. Hay, calls attention that nine more of our members have been called to the Celestial Lodge above.
1954
  • January 7: After the Lodge is closed, the members are privileged to see Crusader Chapter Order of DeMolay exemplify their second degree.
  • April 1: This is a red letter day for your historian, having the pleasure of occupying the East for the first time to confer the first degree.
  • April 25: Divine Service is held in the Pilgrim Congregational Church by all the Lodges and other Bodies occupying the apartments. The procession, led by the band of Aleppo Temple Shrine, marched to the Church, where they were welcomed by the Grand Master, Most Worshipful Whitfield W. Johnson, and the Pastor of the Church.
  • June: The annual Communion Breakfast is held and is attended by the combined membership of the Lodges of Instruction. At this gathering, the sum of $3200.00 is turned over to the Grand Master as a contribution of the Lodges to purchase a walk-in freezer for the Masonic Home in Charlton. Dorchester Lodge contributed its share of this money.
  • October 7: The sacred scroll is read for Brother Charles H. Holmes, who died at the age of 84, after a long career as an outstanding example of the teachings of Masonry. A large number of Masons attended the funeral service which was held on September 12th.
1955
  • The By-Laws are amended so that the annual election of officers will be held in June. This will permit the incoming officers more time to form their committees prior to the installation in September.
  • April 22: Avery successful "Ladies' Night" was held in the banquet hall with a large turnout. After a delightful dinner by Codman Caterers, and entertainment, the tables were cleared away and the rest of the evening was devoted to dancing.
  • November 3: This was "George Rogers Night", and with an Official Visitation by the District Deputy Grand Master, there was a large turnout. Wor. George M. Rogers was conducted to the East where the Worshipful Master recounted the many Masonic achievements of our senior Past Master and his service to the many Masonic bodies to which he belonged, after which he was presented a sum of money on behalf of the officers and members of the Lodge. Brother Herbert Linwood Kelley was then presented to the East to receive the well-merited applause of the Brethren. Bro. Kelley is a Charter member of Dorchester Lodge and 91 years old.
  • December 1: The Aleppo Temple Degree Team, with Wor. John Mick in command, performed outstanding work in raising Bro. Thomas A. Holberg in long form. The work was highlighted with a full Fellow Craft Team which had not been seen in Dorchester Lodge for several years.
1956
  • March 1: The Secretary announced that two checks for a large sum of money had been received from the estate of our former Secretary, Bro. Charles H. Holmes. Action was to be postponed on the gifts until a later date.
  • April 5: This was "Sodality Night", with the Senior Warden in the East and sideline members occupying the other stations, and the work of the Fellow Craft Degree was completed in a commendable manner. Our Secretary was ill in the hospital and the Master took care of the paper work while Bro. J. Kirke DeHaro occupied that station in the Lodge.
  • June 7: The Lodge is gratified that our Secretary, Wor. Norman W. Hay, can attend the Lodge again after a painful three months' sojourn in the hospital. With the Worshipful Master in the East, the last candidate is raised by a degree team composed of former members of the Order of DeMolay. A very fine charge to the candidates is given by Wor. William E. McLemon of Algonquin Lodge.
  • November 1: Our Secretary is back in business again after another spell of illness which confined him to the hospital and his home for a good part of the summer months.
  • December 6: This evening was designated as DeMolay Commandery K.T. Night. Wor. John Mick occupied the East while Wor. "Bob" Fraser acted as Senior Deacon. The third degree was conferred on the last candidate in a most impressive manner and was enjoyed by the many present.
1957
  • May 2: Wor. Irving B. Fraser is presented a Service Medal by the Worshipful Master in recognition of serving the Lodge faithfully for 35 years, a Medal that was richly deserved.
  • June 6: The Grand Master, Most Worshipful Andrew G. Jenkins, accompanied by a large Suite of distinguished Masons, paid a fraternal visit to the Lodge, and at the conclusion of the work, presented to R.W. Rutherford E. Smith a Veteran's Medal, emblematical of his great service to Masonry during the past fifty years. The Grand Master, District Deputy Grand Master and Worshipful Master all spoke eloquently of his service to the Craft. It was a stirring moment in the history of Dorchester Lodge to see our beloved Past Master so honored.
  • December 5: Wor. Arthur Glackin, Jr., Past Master of Starr King Lodge in Salem, with a degree team from Sylvania Electric Corporation, raised a fellow worker.
  • December: The 12th annual Children's Christmas Party is held and as usual is a success and enjoyed by all present.
1958
  • March 6: Bro. Joseph Wesley Burford is presented a fifty-year medal on behalf of the Grand Lodge by R.W. Charles W. Hunter, D.D.G.M. Wor. George M. Rogers has now reached his 60th year as a Mason.
  • May 1: A group of singers from St. Andrew's Church in Boston (Ukranian) entertain the Lodge in the banquet hall and later in the Lodge, raise a friend and member in short form in an impressive ceremony.
  • November 6: The Lodge accepts the Past Master's Jewel of our late Brother J. W. Harris Wright from his daughter, and it is voted that the Secretary send a letter of thanks from the Lodge.
1937
  • January 1: The Lodge was opened today, the first day of the year, with only the officers present. The records of the last regular communication were read, and there being no further business on this Holiday, the Lodge was closed in form.
  • March 5 : The District Deputy Grand Master paid a Fraternal Visit to the Lodge. The work of the evening consisted of the Master's lecture in the Fellow Craft Degree. After closing, the members were privileged to watch an exemplification of the second degree by members of Crusader Chapter, Order of DeMolay.
  • September 3: The elected and appointed officers are installed at a public ceremony with a large attendance.
  • November 5: The District Deputy Grand Master pays an official visit to the Lodge and during the evening Bro. Leon Mincher, an active member in Lodge affairs, is conducted to the East and presented a Veteran's Medal.
1960
  • February 4: One candidate is raised in short form by associates, all of whom are former members of the Order of DeMolay. Our Secretary is on the sick list and the minutes of the previous meeting are not read.
  • March 3: Six members manage to reach the apartments in spite of the severe blizzard raging, and the Lodge is opened in form at 8:15 p.m. with Wor. James W. Campbell, Past Master, in the East, and Bro. Harry Doyle at his usual post as Tyler. The Lodge is closed in form at 8:25 p.m.
  • December 1: After dinner, Herbert A. Philbrick, former counterspy for the FBI and author of the book I Led Three Lives, gave a most stirring talk which was enthusiastically received by the extremely large audience present. The 14th annual Children's Christmas Party is as usual a success.
1961
  • February 2: Dorchester Lodge is again honored in having the office of District Deputy Grand Master filled by one of our Past Masters. R.W. Donald R. McClelland is escorted to the East, and on behalf of the Lodge, is presented the jewel of his office by R.W. Rutherford E. Smith.
  • June 1: The report of the nominating committee is read and accepted at the annual meeting and the nominees are balloted upon. This being Past Masters' Night, all the offices are occupied by the Lodge Past Masters, with Wor. George M. Rogers in the East and assisted by Wor. Irving B. Fraser. This is to be George's last appearance in the Lodge as the Brethren are saddened to hear of his death later in the summer.
  • September: The Sacred Scroll is read for Wor. George 11. Rogers, who died at the age of 86. He was the first Master of Dorchester Lodge, Past Master of Belmont Lodge, and Past Master of Milton Lodge, a Master Mason for 65 years, and was active in the affairs of the Lodge.
  • December 16: The annual Children's Christmas Party is held on this date.
1962
  • April 5: The Kilwinning Club, in their colorful Scottish costumes, raise the candidate in long form, and at the conclusion, an impressive charge is given. Two of our Past Masters are on this team.


I should like to close this review of the history of the first half century of Dorchester Lodge with the hope that each and every member will do his utmost in the interest of our Lodge and give it his continued support.

OTHER

  • 1936 (Reduction of fees)

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

DISTRICTS

1912: District 4 (South Boston)

1927: District 4 (Roxbury)

LINKS

Massachusetts Lodges

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