Star

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STAR LODGE

Location: Athol

Chartered By: William Parkman

Charter Date: 06/14/1865 VII-13

Precedence Date: 07/04/1864

Current Status: merged with Athol Lodge to form Star-Athol Lodge, 09/13/1997. Now a part of North Quabbin Lodge.

PAST MASTERS

  • Andrew Atwood, 1864-1866
  • Daniel W. Houghton, 1867
  • Washington H. Amsden, 1868, 1869
  • Charles W. Bannon, 1870, 1871
  • Erastus Smith, 1872
  • Vernon O. Taylor, 1873, 1874
  • Harding R. Barber, 1875, 1880
  • William H. Heustis, 1876
  • Frank Hutchinson, 1877, 1878
  • Luther B. Palmer, 1879
  • Albert Ellsworth, 1881
  • George W. Bishop, 1882, 1883
  • George F. Lord, 1884
  • Edgar V. Wilson, 1885-1887
  • George H. Foye, 1888, 1889; Mem
  • Edmund C. Shepardson, 1890, 1891
  • Frank L. Tourtelott, 1892, 1893
  • John E. French, 1894
  • Frank M. Foss, 1895, 1896
  • Henrie C. Fay, 1897, 1898; Memorial
  • George S. Allen, 1899
  • Albert Nelson Ellis, 1900, 1901; SN
  • Everard B. Hanson, 1902, 1903
  • Frank E. Wing, 1904; Mem
  • Parke B. Swift, 1905
  • W. Scott Ward, 1906, 1907; Mem
  • Ernest E. Farr, 1908
  • Louis H. Perley, 1909, 1910
  • James G. Sisson, 1911, 1912
  • Clarence E. Pierce, 1913, 1914; Mem
  • Dwight W. Coburn, 1915, 1916
  • Ernest C. Thatcher, 1917, 1918
  • Percy F. Spancer, 1919
  • Arthur S. Bisbee, 1921
  • Jared P. McClumpha, 1922
  • James H. McIntosh, 1923
  • Richard G. Roth, 1924
  • Oscar A. Towne, 1925
  • Frank E. Weaver, 1926
  • James G. Buckman, 1927
  • J. Harold MacDonald, 1928
  • Carroll S. Balcom, 1929
  • John E. Webster, 1930
  • Charles E. Brown, 1931
  • Wesley E. Coburn, 1932
  • Roy E. Peckham, 1933
  • Howard A. Bemis, 1934
  • Harry J. St. Cyr, 1935
  • Fred E. Prario, 1936
  • Roy E. Comstock, 1937; N
  • Arthur E. Williams, 1938, 1939; N
  • Joseph H. Graham, 1939
  • Earle W. Foster, 1940
  • Donald W. French, 1941
  • William J. McKay, 1942
  • Alton F. Moulton, 1943
  • George V. Lake, 1944
  • Ronald C. Pryor, 1945
  • Burton W. Coburn, 1946
  • William B. Taylor, 1947
  • Edward E. Baker, 1948
  • D. Bruce Findley, 1949
  • Richard B. Wallwork, 1950
  • Francis A. Buckley, 1951; N
  • Richard T. Smith, 1952
  • Daniel E. Shepardson, 1953, 1973, 1980
  • Gale P. Abbott, 1954
  • Anthony T. Tie, 1955; N
  • Percy E. Chace, 1956
  • Donald W. Hubbard, 1957
  • Roland V. Cole, 1958
  • Lawrence B. Glover, 1959
  • Anthony Dubar, 1960
  • Floyd C. Shaffer, 1961
  • Earl E. Barrett, 1962
  • Raymond L. Hall, 1963
  • R. Blair Bremner, 1964
  • Francis Manning, 1965
  • Philip F. Harris, 1966
  • Donald G. Gray, 1967
  • Francis W. Foster, 1968
  • LeRoy E. Carley, Jr., 1969
  • Thomas W. Nix, 1970
  • Bryan E. Ward, 1971, 1977; PDDGM
  • Oren A. Jones, 1972
  • Nelson A. Davidson, 1974, 1976
  • David R. Gates, 1975
  • Charles I. Montalbano, 1978, 1979; PDDGM
  • Charles F. Whitaker, 1981, 1982, 1993-1997
  • James J. Rich, Jr., 1983
  • Albert H. Whitaker, 1984
  • Gordon A. Tallman, 1985, 1986
  • Oren A. Jones, 1987, 1988
  • Alan G. Myer, 1989, 1990
  • Carl W. Tikka, 1991, 1992

YEARS

1864 1865 1872 1874 1876 1880 1882 1883 1890 1892 1910 1913 1914 1916 1917 1921 1922 1929 1931 1939 1952 1953 1955 1957 1964 1966 1968 1969 1970 1972 1981 1983 1990 1991 1993 1994 1997

EVENTS

From Moore's Freemason's Magazine, Vol. XXIV, No. 10, August 1865, p. 313:

The village of Athol is situated in the extreme north-west part of Worcester County, and is one among the many beautiful and thriving towns in the western part of Massachusetts. It is divided into what may be properly called an upper and lower village, of about equal size,— though the population probably ponderates in favor of the upper or older part of the town, the lower, or depot village having the more immediate advantage of being located on the Vermont and Massachusetts Railroad. Miller's river runs through the town, affording water privileges that are invaluable to its business prosperity. It is surrounded by lofty hills, from the tops of which is presented one of those fine and picturesque panoramic views that are rarely to be met with out of New England. It has a population of about 3,000 inhabitants. The new Lodge had been working during its year of probation in the lower village, but not being so well accommodated, nor, as a majority of the Brethren thought, so centrally situated for the convenience of all parties as was desirable, it was early determined that, should the Grand Lodge see fit to grant it a permanent Charter, its future meetings should be held in the upper village. This was doubtless a wise determination, and perhaps as satisfactory as the case would admit of. The question of location having been settled, the Brethren next turned their attention to a proper place in which to hold their future meetings; and in this they have been eminently successful. Their new hall is well located near the "Summit House,"—is of convenient size, finely frescoed and decorated, and richly and appropriately furnished. It adds another to the many tasty Masonic Halls for which Massachusetts stands pre-eminent among her sister States.

The Proceedings of the Lodge for the past year having met with the approval of the Grand Lodge, that Body, at its Quarterly Communication in June, granted it a permanent Charter; and on Thursday the 20th of July, the Grand Master with his Officers, visiied Athol for the purpose of giving to it a permanent organization. The occasion was one of public as well as of Masonic interest. It was a sort of gala day, in which the town united with the Brethren in giving to the strangers a warm and cordial reception. Extra trains of cars were run in different directions, and there were present large delegations of Brethren from Aurora Lodge, of Fitchburg, Hope Lodge, of Gardner, Republican Lodge, of Greenfield, and Harmony Lodge, of Northfield; and smaller delegations from other more distant Lodges. It is estimated there could not have been less than 250 or 300 Masons in attendance. The ceremony of Consecration took place at 12 o'clock, and in presence of as large a number of Brethren as the Hall and its ante.rooms could be made to hold. At the conclusion of this ceremony, M. W. Grand Master Parkman addressed the Brethren of the new Lodge, on the importance of the responsibilities they had assumed; the necessity of harmony and united co-operation in the duties that would in future devolve upon them, and their obligations to each other and to the Fraternity at large,—reminding them that the jealous eye of the community would be upon them, and that their future destiny, for good or evil, was in their own hands. He occupied about forty minutes, and urged his points with great force and eloquence. The address throughout was listened to with profound attention and received with the highest satisfaction.

SummitHouseAthol1858.jpg
Summit House, Athol (in 1858)

The Lodge then took a recess until 2 o'clock, P. M., when the Ladies were admitted, and the Hall was Dedicated with the usual ceremonies. At.the conclusion of which, a procession was formed by the Grand Marshal, and the company were conducted into the large hall of the "Summit House," to dinner. Tables wore here spread for between 300 and 400 guests, and every seat was occupied. The dinner was a good one for the season of the year, and in view of the large number to be provided for. As usual on such occasions, this part of the exercises of the day was concluded by brief speeches by the Grand Master, by R. W. Wendell T. Davis, of Greenfield, (S. G. W.,) by Rev. Mr. St. John, of Worcester, and by several other Brethren whose names have escaped us,—the whole being appropriately interspersed with singing, by an excellent Quartette Choir.

At half-past 6 o'clock in the evening, the company, with as many of the ladies and gentlemen of the village as could find space to sit or stand in, were assembled in the Unitarian Church, for the Installation of the Officers of the new Lodge. The number of persons present could not have been much less than 500. The ceremonies of Installation were performed by the M. W. G. Master in his usual clear and impressive manner.

An address was then delivered by the Rev. Mr. St. John, of Worcester, on the Ideal, the Religion, and the Politics of Masonry. These several points were logically and philosophically stated, and argued in a clear and forcible manner, but owing to the lateness of the hour, and the confusion occasioned by many of the Brethren being under the necessity of leaving to take the cars, the speaker was hurried in his delivery and subjected to the disagreeable necessity of omitting so much of his argument as to mar and detract from its completeness. It was, however, an able performance, and was well received by the still large audience remaining.

Thus closed a very agreeable day of duty and festive enjoyment. The Brethren of the new Lodge were unremitting in their efforts to promote the comfort and pleasure of their guests, and the Officers of the Grand Lodge are especially indebted to them for many kind personal attentions.

We availed ourself of the opportunity afforded by our trip as above described, to spend a day with our esteemed Bro. E. D. Bancroft, Grand Lecturer, at the old town of Groton, and to visit the scenes of our early childhood, and to renew the acquaintance of some near and dear friends and relatives whom we had not seen for half a life time. But alas! we were too soon reminded of the words of Charles Lamb—

"I have had playmates, I have had companions.
In my days of childhood, in my joyful schooldays:
All, all are gone, the old familiar faces."

Few indeed were left among the living, and they had long since reached that period of life when, it is written, " the almond tree shall flourish and the grasshopper bo a burden." There were, however, reminiscences remaining, which, for us, possessed a peculiar, though mournful interest. The " old farm house," where our ancestors once lived, and where we, in our youth, passed two or three joyous and hopeful years, still remains: the spot once covered with thick woods, where, led by the guiding hand of a loving relative, we used to ramble and gather berries and flowers: the old " well," with its" oaken bucket,"—the familiar barn,—the pleasant meadow,—the favorite apple tree, the first to ripen its fruit, and beneath which we once lost a penny,—a loss more calamitous and longer remembered than thousands of pennies since lost,—the little "old school house," or rather the spot where it once stood, now covered with one of different material,—where we first learned to lisp the letters of the alphabet,—the old " grist mill," in the adjoining town, where the yellow corn of the home-furm was converted into golden meal,—the river, where we first saw the hideous fish called the lamprey eel :—these and many other equally interesting spots, all reminded us that we were once a boy.

We also had the pleasure of calling upon our zealous and beloved Brother Luther S. Bancroft, of Pepperell, and making a sort of Pilgrimage to the beautiful eminence which, in his Masonic zeal and love, he designates as Mt. Lebanon, and where he has for many years, either alone or surrounded by his Brethren, celebrated the nativity of the Mason's patron Saint, John the Baptist. It is a beautiful eminence, and while standing upon its summit and viewing the rich and varied landscape spread out before us, we could not but sympathize with our good Brother in the desire of his heart, that he might live to see rising from its top a public literary, or eleemosynary institution, into which the Masonic element should enter. But we are exceeding our limits. The whole excursion was one of marked interest,—a green spot about which the memory will long love to linger.

The following is a list of the officers installed :—

  • Andrew Atwood, W. M
  • D. W. Houghton, S. W
  • O. C. Knox, J. W.
  • G. W. Black, S. D
  • E. Smith, J. D
  • John H. Williams, Sec
  • E. Sheppardson, Treas
  • H. B. Adams, S. S.
  • A. S. Chubb, J. S
  • E. L. Hunt, Chaplain
  • Amos Cheney, Tyler
  • E. T. Lewis, Marshal.

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

DISTRICTS

1864: District 6

1867: District 8 (Greenfield)

1883: District 12 (Fitchburg)

1911: District 13 (Fitchburg)

1927: District 13 (Barre)

LINKS

Massachusetts Lodges

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