RIRogerWilliams32
Contents
LODGE
Location: X
Chartered By: X
Dispensation Date: date
Charter Date: date
Current Status: status
PAST MASTERS
NOTES
Meeting Date: Second Saturday
REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS
ANNIVERSARIES
VISITS BY GRAND MASTER
BY-LAW CHANGES
HISTORY
In 1875 there were about thirty members of the Masonic Fraternity residing in the vicinity or within convenient distance of Centerdale and belonging to different lodges throughout the Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. These lodges were Temple, Morning Star, and Hamilton of Rhode Island, Bristol Lodge of Massachusetts, and Moriah and Charity Lodges of Connecticut. Due to difficulty in travel, these Masons who had taken up permanent residence here were deprived of attending the meetings of their home lodge.
They organized on December 27, 1875, met with Most Worshipful Grand Master Nicholas Van Slyck who advised them how to proceed in drawing up a petition for Dispensation. The petition was then submitted to Temple Lodge No. 18 of Greenville which recommended the petition to the Most Worshipful Grand Master asking that he grant dispensation for a new lodge to be located in Centerdale and to be called Roger Williams Lodge. The name of Roger Williams was chosen at the suggestion of James Halse Angell in the belief that Roger Williams’ traits of character and view of his duty to God and man exemplified well the principals of Freemasonry. On January 27, 1876 the Dispensation was granted and the Most Worshipful Grand Master appointed Thomas Wilmarth the first Worshipful Master, Alexander Harrington, Senior Warden, and Charles P. Walker, Junior Warden.
At the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge on May 15, 1876 a petition was presented for a Charter for the new Lodge. On May 27, 1876, Roger Williams Lodge No. 32 was constituted. At the time there were thirty-four charter members. The new Lodge was secured in the Railroad Hall Building, so named because of its proximity to the Railroad Station. Meetings were held there until 1885 when the Lodge moved to Frank Angell’s new building on Smith Street across from the present Town Hall. The Lodge remained there for forty-four years. In 1929 the Lodge moved to its present location and that was forty-seven years ago. Roger Williams Lodge has the distinction of being one of few, if not the only Lodge, ever to be constructed without a mortgage.
One of the social highlights of the Lodge in the early days was Ladies Night, which was organized to promote more interest in the Lodge and to provide an occasion when the wives and families of the brothers and their many friends (non-members) could participate in an evening of social enjoyment. The first Ladies Night, which has since been changed to the Master and Warden’s Reception, was held on June 6, 1884, in a hall adjoining the Lodge in the Railroad Building.
Throughout the years, particularly in its early growth, Roger Williams Lodge has been the recipient of many gifts, working paraphernalia, and furniture. To list all of them would be a monumental task; however, a few that are seen upon entering or leaving the Lodge should be mentioned. The Master’s pedestal, cut from the rock on which Roger Williams landed in 1636, was a gift of Brother Frank Angell. The granite base was made and given by Brother Rufus Harris. The marble top or capital was the gift of Thomas Wilmarth, the first Master of the Lodge. The Ashlars were the gift of Past Master Lionelle King. The Tyler’s sword was presented by Brother William Allison, Jr. The original Bible was the gift of Frank Angell’s mother. The altar was the handiwork of Brothers; W.F. Allison, James V. Dawley, and George F. Angell. The altar was presented by Angus MacDonald in memory of Frank C. Angell. The Coat of Arms painting was executed by Hugo Bruel and presented in 1900. The painting of the Winding Stairs in the anteroom was the gift of Brother Fred Copley who executed it himself in 1916. The Role of Honor and the other Coat of Arms were also his gifts. Probably the most unfortunate occurrence in the Lodge’s history was experienced in 1970 when vandals destroyed and damaged many valuable objects. Only through the gifts and donations of other lodges and the hard work of its own members was the Lodge able to reopen in a short period of time. Such generosity of spirit, time, and materials is the mark of real Masonry.
Roger Williams Lodge has always been an active Lodge. It is known throughout Rhode Island, the New England States, and parts of Canada through visitations. The Visitation Committee is incomparable and is presently headed by its chairman Brother Arthur Vernava. In its history Roger Williams Lodge has always been known for its ritualistic and floor work during degree work and is one of the few lodges where the complete Middle Chamber lecture is given by the Senior Deacon. Each officer has a duty to fulfill for the Lodge, and after his term of office has been completed, can look back with pride on his contributions. Roger Williams Lodge also had its own Bowling League which has been in operation over forty-one years. The present membership of the Lodge is 353 members.
It is with great pride that Roger William’s Lodge enters, as of January 1976, into its 100th Anniversary. Plans have been made to celebrate this special occasion. Members are looking forward to this celebration and to the next 100 years.
