WestRoxbury

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WEST ROXBURY LODGE

Location: Roslindale

Chartered By: Arthur D. Prince

Charter Date: 03/10/1920 1920-110

Precedence Date: 05/21/1919

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


PAST MASTERS

  • Franklin C. Jillson, 1919, 1920
  • George C. McClellan, 1921,1922; SN
  • Fremont S. Eggleston, 1923, 1924
  • Alpha R. Sawyer, 1925
  • Stephen J. Lent, 1926
  • John T. Trefrey, 1927
  • Richard E. Chapman, 1928
  • William E. Barta, 1929
  • John H. Gillis, 1930; Mem
  • Harold R. Duffie, 1931
  • John H. Easton, 1932
  • Lewis S. Breed, 1933
  • Edwin T. Rae, 1934; N
  • Charles E. Burkett, 1935
  • Lewis Breed Eaton, 1936
  • Alexander B. McKechnie, 1937
  • Harold A. Bratt, 1938
  • Wilbur C. Fronhock, 1939
  • Charles H. McKechnie, 1940
  • John T. Trefrey, Jr., 1941
  • Alan C. Elkerton, 1942
  • Frank W. Price, 1943
  • Archiebald McKechnie, 1944
  • Harry E. Barber Jr. , 1945
  • Frank E. Westberg, 1946
  • Ransom W. Stiles, 1947
  • Blaine Emery, 1948
  • Walter W. Newcombe, 1949
  • Gorden W.C. Browne, 1950
  • Clarence W. Wallace, 1951
  • Harold E. Jacobson, 1952
  • Edgar W. Favor, 1953
  • Charles W. Hunter, 1954; N
  • William R. Fleming, 1955
  • Gorden Burk, 1956
  • Henry W. Hanssen, 1957
  • George J. Shagory, 1958
  • Chester O. Ridley, 1959
  • George Morton, 1960
  • John S. Lurtsema, 1961
  • Raymond R. Cushing, 1962
  • Donald H. MacLellan, 1963
  • C(harles). Henry Morse, 1964; SN
  • Albert F. Moussab, 1965, 1984-1987; N
  • Francis H. Brown, 1966
  • Robert C. Larson, 1967
  • James E. Askew, 1968
  • John M. Shalhoub, 1969, 1973
  • Robert B. Shedd, 1970
  • Robert W. Bashian, 1971
  • Edward C. Najjar, 1972
  • Demittry G. Taksery, 1974
  • Dana W. Story Jr., 1975
  • James A. Gibson, 1976, 1982
  • Kenneth W. Hurrell, 1977
  • Dimitrios J. Merageas, 1978; SN
  • Thomas L. Hewitt, 1979, 1981
  • Vincent M. Favorito, 1980, 1983
  • Khalil G. Laham, 1988-89

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

  • Petition for Dispensation: 1919
  • Petition for Charter: 1920
  • Consolidation Petition (with Dorchester Lodge): 1989

ANNIVERSARIES

  • 1944 (25th Anniversary)
  • 1969 (50th Anniversary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

BY-LAW CHANGES

1921 1923 1929 1946 1951 1956 1958 1959 1962 1968 1969 1971 1976 1978 1980 1986

HISTORY

  • 1944 (25th Anniversary History, 1944-128; see below)
  • 1969 (50th Anniversary History, 1969-172; see below)

25TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, JUNE 1944

From Proceedings, Page 1944-128:

By Worshipful Fremont S. Eggleston.

Sometime prior to 1919 there was conceived in the heart and brain of Brother Dr. Lewis S. Breed the idea of forming another Blue Lodge in the Roslindale District. Dr. Breed, whose ancestors have lived under all presidents from the time of Washington, but whose grandchildren will probably be born and live under one president, has probably practiced dentistry longer than anyone in the United States, and was and still is one of the best known Masons in this District. Realizing that Prospect Lodge was growing very large, knowing the Grand Lodge was in favor of smaller Lodges, and seeing this temple, which was the apple of his eye, nearing completion, he sold the idea to a few of his good Masonic friends in Roslindale and West Roxbury. We held several meetings in his office during the winter of 1918 and 1919 and formulated plans for this new Lodge.

In April, 1919, a petition was made to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge for a dispensation, all of the Lodges in the Boston District having unanimously granted their consent. Considerable discussion was held at this meeting over the name of the Lodge. Several were suggested, but finally the name "West Roxbury" was adopted, being named after the entire District, which in the old days consisted of all territory from Roxbury to the Dedham line.

On June 3, 1919, we held our first formal meeting, at which time Right Worshipful Walter S. Bagley, District Deputy Grand Master of the 25th Masonic District, presented us with our dispensation, dated May, 1919, and signed by Most Worshipful Grand Master Leon M. Abbott. There were sixty Charter members, all of whom were present, and the District Deputy Grand Master installed the following officers:

  • Wor. Bro. Franklin C. Jillson, Master
  • Bro. Geo. C. McClellan, Senior Warden
  • Bro. Carl E. Ganter, Junior Warden
  • Bro. Lewis S. Breed, Treasurer
  • Bro. Stephen J. Lent, Secretary
  • Rev. Bro. J. Ralph Magee, Chaplain
  • Bro. Geo. P. Beckford, Marshal
  • Bro. Fremont S. Eggleston, Senior Deacon
  • Bro. Alpha R. Sawyer, Junior Deacon
  • Bro. John T. Trefry, Senior Steward
  • Bro. Richard E. Chapman, Junior Steward
  • Bro. Frederick T. Widmer, Inner Sentinel
  • Bro. Charles King, Tyler

Dr. Breed was instrumental, and we were fortunate, in having for our first Worshipful Master Dr. Franklin Jillson, a Past Master of Columbian Lodge, and a very close personal friend of Most Worshipful Grand Master Leon M. Abbott. He was a very dignified gentleman, a good disciplinarian and a most excellent ritualist. I feel that the good work which we have always had in West Roxbury Lodge was due in no small degree to his guidance and good influence. We all regretted his passing a few years ago, but I feel that West Roxbury Lodge is a monument to his greatness.

Our first regular communication, under dispensation, was held July 1, 1919, in old Fraternity Hall, and we received 19 applications.

September 2, 1919, we held our first initiation and Lewis Breed Eaton, John Hancock Eaton, John Hancock Eaton, Jr., John Hancock Gillis, and Murdock J. Gillis, Jr. were made Entered Apprentices in that order. In October they were passed and on November 4th were raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. Incidentally, they were all members of the Breed family and later three of them became Masters of our Lodge. Thirty Brothers were raised while the Lodge was working under dispensation.

Friday, March 19, 1920, was the big event in the history of West Roxbury Lodge. We, having served our apprenticeship, met in Corinthian Hall, Masonic Temple, Boston, for the purpose of being constituted. This was performed by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, under the leadership of Most Worshipful Grand Master Arthur D. Prince. After a most interesting ceremony, the following officers were installed by the Grand Master, assisted by other members of the Grand Lodge:

  • Wor. Bro. Franklin C. Jillson, Master
  • Bro. George C. McClellan, Senior Warden
  • Bro. Fremont S. Eggleston, Junior Warden
  • Bro. Lewis S. Breed, Treasurer
  • Bro. Charles King, Secretary
  • Rev. Bro. J. Ralph Magee, Chaplain
  • Rev. Bro. Winfield S. Holland, Associate Chaplain
  • Bro. George P. Beckford, Marshal
  • Bro. Alpha R. Sawyer, Senior Deacon
  • Bro. Stephen J. Lent, Junior Deacon
  • Bro. John T. Trefry, Senior Steward
  • Bro. Richard E. Chapman, Junior Steward
  • Bro. William E. Barta, Inner Sentinel
  • Bro. Fred E. Brown , Organist
  • Bro. Jonathan Wilson, Tyler

During the summer of 1920 we had a fire in Fraternity Hall and here again, under the leadership of Dr. Lewis S. Breed most of our regalia was rescued. Our good Brothers from Jamaica Plain invited us to meet in their hall and we were most happy to accept. We also had invitations from the Lodges in Hyde Park, Roxbury and Dorchester, offering the use of the lodge rooms. We held our September and October meetings at Jamaica Plain, but arrived back in Fraternity Hall for our November meeting.

Another red letter night in the history of West Roxbury Lodge was April 24, 1922, when the,officers and members of West Roxbury Lodge, under the leadership of Worshipful Brother George C. McClellan, and the officers and members of Prospect Lodge, under the leadership of Worshipful Earle N. Crysler, assisted in the dedication of this Masonic Temple. The dedication was under the direction of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, with Most Worshipful Arthur D. Prince presiding.

Up to December, 1926, we were in the 25th Masonic District, but in January, 1927, we were placed in the 4th Masonic District.

In December, 1927, Mrs. Alice S. Jillson presented to West Roxbury Lodge the Past Master's jewel given her husband. She stipulated that it be worn by the Worshipful Master during his term of office, and this pleasant custom of presenting this jewel to each Master the evening he is installed has been carried out ever since.

During the past twenty-five years we have initiated 380, had 29 applications for affiliation and our present membership is about 280. We have held 322 communications.

We have been honored by the Grand Lodge in the appointment of Right Worshipful George C. McClellan to the office of District Deputy Grand Master in 1923, Right Worshipful John H. Gillis in 1934 and two minor offices to Worshipful Stephen J. Lent and Worshipful Alexander B. McKechnie.

We have had three honorary members, Most Worshipful Leon M. Abbott, Worshipful Allen M. Innes, an honored Past Master of Prospect Lodge, and Worshipful Lewis S. Breed. Brothers Abbott and Innes have passed on to the Great Beyond, as have two of our beloved Past Masters, Worshipful Franklin C. Jillson and Right Worshipful John H. Gillis.

West Roxbury Lodge has had the usual run of ladies' nights, Past Masters' nights, visitations with Prospect Lodge, father and son nights, children's Christmas parties, many excellent speakers and good entertainment, in an endeavor to give the members something beside ritual.

At our May meeting we were most happy to pay tribute to our ambassador of good-will in the ante-room, Brother Jonathan Wilson, who has served us faithfully as Tyler since we were constituted. He was presented with a Tyler's jewel in recognition of his splendid service in making our members happy and for his courteous treatment of visiting Brethren. He is our idea of a perfect Tyler and he has the respect of every member of West Roxbury Lodge.

I feel that during these twenty-five years, West Roxbury Lodge has been a power for good in this community. It has accomplished all of those things for which a Lodge is formed and which justifies its existence. We have performed that great and glorious work of assimilation, for it can be truly said that men of every country, sect and opinion are united behind closed doors, in West Roxbury Lodge, as Brothers.

We have trained men in the fundamentals of leadership, so that they have gone forth into this and other communities and become constructive leaders in other fraternal organizations, social, civic and political clubs.

I could go on for many minutes, as I have done on many occasions all over this commonwealth, on the accomplishments of our fraternal organizations which I feel are the greatest stabilizing forces we have in our great republic, but I will close by mentioning our greatest benefit, which we receive from our membership and which is truly exemplified in West Roxbury Lodge. You wouldn't think of going to Church and listening to the same sermon every Sunday, or go to the theatre and see the same show every month, and yet men have for centuries gone to their fraternal organizations, listened to practically the same ritual work and seen the same floor work. Why do they do it? Because it gives them an opportunity to break bread and meet with their fellow man. It gives them the opportunity of forming friendships, the most prized possession of our earthly life. This valued treasure is summed up best in the last four lines of Edgar Guest's poem on friends. The first verses deal with a man of material wealth, who has traveled all over the world, seen all of the beauties and wonders in it, but during all this time something was missing — his friends.

"So I'll gladly brave the blizzard
And I'll tramp the snowy street,
For at every turn and corner
there are smiling friends to meet,
And though far away is sunshine,
I find happiness depends,
not on sky or trees or roses,
But on being with your Friends."

50TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, MAY 1969

From Proceedings, Page 1969-172:

By Bro. Lawrence H. Rosen.

Recently, Wor. Bro. Richard Chapman made note of a quotation "Acts today are memories tomorrow". This seems a fitting introduction for our reflections on the activity of West Roxbury Lodge as we celebrate our Fiftieth Anniversary.

In April of 1919, with the accord of Prospect Lodge, several Master Masons petitioned the Grand Lodge for dispensation to form a new Lodge to be named West Roxbury Lodge. In anticipation of favorable consideration of the petition, members of the Fraternity bought land, drew plans and subscribed $35,000 to erect a Masonic Temple in Roslindale. Most Worshipful Leon Abbott granted this request, and a meeting of West Roxbury Lodge was called.

We are not going to recount every extraneous fact related to our history, but we know that the older members will enjoy the memories we can recreate and we feel certain our newer members will find inspiration in our giving a measure of warm personality to the dignity of our Lodge.

The first meeting of our Lodge took place at 27 Corinth Street in the building now standing, but in an area without numerous stores — no library — no formal common.

Worshipful Brother Franklin C. Jillson was invested with the Jewel as first Master of West Roxbury Lodge. Still members of our Lodge are some of the first officers of the Lodge who went on to greater fame in Masonry and in private life. Some impetus may have been inspired by their wearing of full dress suits, white ties and gloves. In 1927, tuxedos became accepted dress for officers. We have done rather well in tuxedos, also.

If the young people of today think that they invented protest, it should be noted that in September of 1919, there was some discussion regarding the desirability of the changing the name of the Lodge. However, it was voted that the matter be tabled indefinitely — where today it rests in peace.

The 17th Communication — A "Special" dated March 19, 1920, heralded the historic milestone when an imposing suite headed by Most Worshipful Grand Master Arthur D. Prince gave us our Constitution and installed the official officers of West Roxbury Lodge.

That summer a fire destroyed the Lodge room and we gratefully accepted the invitation of Eliot Lodge of Jamaica Plain to use their apartments until November when we returned.

Our 54th Communication of April 24, 1922, announced the dedication of the apartments we now occupy in Roslindale Masonic Temple when Prospect Lodge officers presided and received Most Worshipful Grand Master, Arthur D. Prince, who, with his Grand Lodge Officers, performed dedication ceremonies.

In October of 1927, Worshipful Brother Edward H. Whittemore conceived the idea of forming a Chapter of De-Molay in Roslindale. This worthy idea created what we now know as Sir Galahad Chapter of DeMolay. History is warming, but time robs us of many details. At the risk of regretfully overlooking others of noteworthiness, I would like to mention here that Brother Richard H. Davis, one of our members today, was the First Marshal of Sir Galahad Chapter and, as the owner and editor of our local community newspapers has, with others, come to us through Sir Galahad Chapter to serve in Masonry with benefit to the Craft and honor to themselves. Another notable member is Worshipful Brother Harold R. Duffle, who was installed as Master in 1930 while a Representative in the Massachusetts Great and General Court and who later served in World Wars I and II to become a retired General. While with the Military, Brothers we mention with pride, a twenty-five year member of our Lodge, Brother Vahan Vartanian recently was promoted to Brigadier General.

In March 1935, Worshipful Brother John T. Trefrey became the first Past Master to raise his son to Master Mason. Worshipful Brother Fremont Eggleston duplicated this impressive ceremony when he raised his son, Paul, on Feb. 4, 1936.

October 6, 1936 was Tyler's Night in honor and appreciation of the services of Brother Johnathan Wilson who served continuously as Tyler since 1919. This event will be of interest to those members of more recent vintage who were under the respectful and affectionate impression that our good friend Brother Augusta had been our Tyler since the days of Hiram Abiff.

Establishing another first, Worshipful Brother John Trefrey, Sr., installed his son, John, Jr., as Wor. Master in September, 1940.

Personal association with facts of history make them more enjoyably remembered. To this end, we urge you at your earliest convenience to explore the accomplishments of your Lodge — find the story of Masonry in the contributions your Lodge has made to the greater comfort of our fellow-man — our support of the Masonic Home in Charleton, our assistance with material, physical and spiritual support to those in sorrow and distress — our concern that the spirit of Christmas be made bright and lasting for children — our concern with meeting our responsibilities to the Blood Program — strengthening of Masonry by involvement in our Fourth District affairs through such men as our Past Master and Right Worshipful Brother John H. Gillis, Right Worshipful Brother Edwin T. Rae, Right Worshipful Brother Charles H. Hunter, another DeMolay graduate, and more recently our handsome, ebullient Right Worshipful Brother C. Henry Morse. The Fourth Lodge of Instruction has had four of our Past Masters serve as Masters of that body, namely: Wor. Bro. Ransom W. Stiles, Wor. Bro. John H. Gillis, Wor. Bro. Charles W. Hunter and Wor. Bro. George Shagory. Our Dean of Past Masters, Wor. Bro. Richard Chapman, has labored for our Craft and the Parkway Community with selfless zeal, compassion, charity and true Brotherly love for so many years, he has become to all a living symbol of "The Good Life".

Look around you, Brethren — observe the faces of those who have made history — are still making history —exemplary men, because they were exemplary Masons. Observe the faces of those younger men whose acts today will make the memories of tomorrow — good memories for good acts. Even these limited hi-lights must make you proud that you are a Mason — proud you are a member of West Roxbury Lodge — a Lodge that on its fiftieth birthday can recall with pride the deserved tribute it received from Wor. Bro. Eggleston who said, "This Lodge has been a power for good in this community. It has accomplished all those things for which a Lodge is formed and which justifies its existence. We have performed that great and glorious task of assimilation, for it can be truly said that men of every country, sect, and opinion are united in West Roxbury Lodge as Brothers."

OTHER

  • 1924 (Granting of a petition to reduce fees to conform with other area lodges; 1924-648)

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

OTHER BROTHERS


DISTRICTS

1919: District 25 (Hyde Park)

1927: District 4 (Roxbury)


LINKS

Massachusetts Lodges