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GEORGE H. TABER LODGE

Originally named Concordia Lodge; name changed 06/12/1901.

Location: Fairhaven

Chartered By: Sereno D. Nickerson

Charter Date: 12/10/1873 1873-147

Precedence Date: 12/12/1872

Current Status: Active

PAST MASTERS

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

• Petition for Dispensation: 1873 as Concordia Lodge
• Petition for Charter: 1873 as Concordia Lodge

ANNIVERSARIES

• 1947 (75th Anniversary)
• 1972 (Centenary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

• 1874 (Nickerson; Constitution of Lodge and installation; Special Communication)
• 1882 (Lawrence
• 1885 (Howland
• 1886 (Howland
• 1901 (Gallagher; Hall dedication; Special Communication)
• 1938 (Perry; reception for Junior Grand Warden Charles E. P. Thompson)
• 1947 (Wragg; 75th Anniversary; Special Communication)
• 1972 (Vose; Centenary; Special Communication)
• 1982 (Berquist; Old Timers' Night)
• 1984 (Richardson; Veterans' Night)
• 1986 (Richardson; Old Timers' Night)
• 1994 (Lovering)

BY-LAW CHANGES

1901 1910 1912 1920 1940 1944 1949 1952 1954 1980 1991 1992 2005

HISTORY

• 1947 (75th Anniversary History, 1947-447; see below)
• 1972 (Centenary History, 1972-?)

75TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, DECEMBER 1947

From Proceedings, Page 1947-447:

By Worshipful Ellsworth M. Burgess and Worshipful Frederick W. Reynolds.

The original Petitioners for George H. Taber Lodge were:

• George H. Taber
• Elbridge G. Paull
• Lorenzo Shurtleff
• Job A. T. Eddy
• Noah Stoddard
• Daniel J. Lewis
• Nathan D. Manter
• Charles H. Morton
• Ansel Tripp
• Edwin Stowell
• J. G. Morse
• Benjamin F. Cottle
• William L. Coburn
• George E. Bryant
• James V. Cox
• Levi M. Snow
• James A. Lewis
• Seth H. Keith
• Hiram F. Wilde
• James B. Tarr
• Russell Hathaway
• Phineas E. Terry
• John W. Nickerson
• Alexander Winsor
• H. J. J. Thompson
• L. A. Washburn
• Elisha Copeland
• I. N. Babbitt, Jr.
• Alfred Jones
• Theodore E. Lawton
• A. D. Stoddard

All of these afterwards became charter members with the exception of Noah Stoddard, Nathan D. Manter, Benjamin F. Cottle, George E. Bryant, James V. Cox, James B. Tarr, Phineas E. Terry, George H. Taber and A. D. Stoddard.

Agreeable to the prayer of these petitioners, the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts granted a dispensation to "Concordia Lodge" on December 12, 1872. The dispensation was signed by Sereno D. Nickerson,'Grand Master, and attested by Charles H. Titus, Recording Grand Secretary. The Grand Master appointed "Brother Job. A. T. Eddy to be the first Master, Brother E. G. Paull to be the first Senior Warden, and Brother Lorenzo Shurtleff to be the first Junior Warden of said Lodge."

The first meeting of the Lodge was held January 13, 1873, and the other officers recorded on that occasion were Edwin Stowell, Treasurer; Seth H. Keith, Secretary; Rev. Frederick Upham, Chaplain; Charles H. Morton, Marshal; Levi M. Snow, Senior Deacon; James A. Lewis, Junior Deacon; Benjamin F. Cottle, Senior Steward; William L. Coburn, Junior Steward; John W. Nickerson, Tyler.

The Lodge received its charter from the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts on December 10, 1873, to take precedence from December 12, 1872 (the date of the Dispensation), and it was signed by Sereno D. Nickerson, Grand Master; Percival L. Everett, Deputy Grand Master; Henry Endicott, Senior Grand Warden; Joseph K. Baker, Junior Grand Warden, Charles H. Titus, Grand Secretary.

The membership at that time was thirty-one.

The upper floor in the Pope Building, corner of William and Center Streets, had been secured by the petitioners, renovated, furnished and adapted to Lodge purposes. On January 30, 1874, the Officers of the Grand Lodge dedicated the Hall to the purposes of Masonry in Ancient Form, after which the Lodge was Constituted and the officers elected and installed.

May 13, 1901, the beautiful building now held by the George H. Taber Masonic Building Association was accepted as a gift from Brother Henry H. Rogers of New York, a native of Fair-haven, and an honored member of the Fraternity, holding membership in Star in the East Lodge of New Bedford, Massachusetts, and on the same date, it was voted to relinquish the name "Concordia Lodge" and be thereafter known under the title and designation of "George H. Taber Lodge," agreeable to a condition accompanying the gift.

June 18, 1901, the lodge-room in the new building was dedicated to "Free Masonry, Virtue and Benevolence" by the Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, of which Most Worshipful Charles T. Gallagher was Grand Master, and Right Worshipful Sereno D. Nickerson was Recording Grand Secretary.

The Lodge enters upon its fifty-first year with the membership of 390.

The foregoing portion of this history was written by Brother Frederick A. Keith, who was the Secretary of George H. Taber Lodge at that time.

The fiftieth anniversary was celebrated on December 10, 11, 12, 1922, beginning with a special communication opened in the lodge-room Sunday, December 10, at 3:15 p.m. The members marched to the Unitarian Memorial Church in regular formation, where they listened to a very interesting sermon delivered by the Pastor, Rev. Brother William H. Parker, his subject being "The Divine Secrets." The music had been specially arranged for the occasion and was delightfully rendered. There were 131 Master Masons present, consisting of twelve officers, one Past District Deputy Grand Master, ten Past Masters, ninety-nine members and nine visiting Brothers.

The annual communication, December 11, was held in the lodge-room with 139 members present, and the Secretary reported a total membership of 393, all of whom had paid their dues in full to December 11, 1922.

The committee having in charge the rearrangement and framing of the photographs of the Past Masters reported the completion of that duty and the pictures in the new frame had been hung on the wall of the ante-room, where they can be viewed at the present day with the portraits of the eighteen succeeding Masters added.

A special communication was held in the lodge-room Tuesday, December 12, 1922, with 165 members present and Worshipful Joseph Sutcliffe, Jr. presiding. Later, all proceeded to the Town Hall where the concluding ceremonies of the anniversary program were held, with a banquet and entertainment and about three hundred members and guests participating.

The three living charter members were unable to be present — Worshipful Elbridge G. Paull, and Brothers Charles H. Morton and Elisha S. Whiting — but were remembered by a standing silent tribute of love and esteem.

The Most Worshipful Grand Master, Arthur D. Prince, and Right Worshipful Dudley H. Ferrell, Deputy Grand Master, addressed the Brethren, as did also Worshipful John V. Thorpe, Past Master of King Philip Lodge of Fall River. The history of the Lodge was read by Brother Frederick A. Keith, Secretary. After returning to the lodge-room, the gavel used in closing was the one made by and used by Worshipful Job A. T. Eddy in opening Concordia Lodge for the first time fifty years before and thereafter used during his term of office and subsequently presented to George H. Taber Lodge by his daughter. It was again used by Worshipful Cuthbert W. Tunstall at the opening of the Lodge on the seventy-fifth anniversary.

At the end of another quarter century, it will be interesting and proper to review some of the activities of this period and put into this record some of the accomplishments and statistics. Since January 30, 1874, and up to and including November 10, 1947, there have been 893 members admitted and 56 Presiding Masters, of whom thirty-four are now living, and prior to 1912, with two exceptions, the Masters served two years or more. Worshipful Brother William H. Bly died October 29, 1924, while serving as Master. Brother Frederick A. Keith died May 29, 1929, while in office, having served faithfully and efficiently as Secretary for thirty-six years, and Brother David N. Kelley died May 15, 1942, while Treasurer, an office he had conscientiously filled for forty-four years — a service which was recognized by a testimonial banquet served in the Town Hall May 9, 1940.

November 8, 1926, the annual dues were raised from $3.00 to $5.00, and life membership from $45.00 to $75.00. In 1927, the Lodge was changed from the 30th Masonic District to the 31st, and the annual meeting changed from the second Monday in December to the second Monday in September.

In 1929, Worshipful Brother Thompson was appointed District Deputy Grand Master of the 31st District.

In 1932, the State Flag now in the lodge-room was presented by Right Worshipful Charles E. P. Thompson, in behalf of the estate of Brother Frederick A. Keith, and appropriately accepted by Right Worshipful George B. Luther.

In 1937, the elevator fund was started and a generous donation of $100 was received from Right Worshipful James L. Gillingham. This proposed improvement will become a reality when sufficient funds are available and conditions satisfactory.

(Another donation of $100 was received from Brother Dana H. Gllingham in 1947. Also during this year, Right Worshipful Brother Thompson became Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge, and in \93is, Right Worshipful Earl W. Taylor, Grand Marshal of the Grand Lodge, visited George H. Taber Lodge and presented Right Worshipful Charles E. P. Thompson with a Henry Price Medal.

In 1939, the Lodge was changed back to the 30th District from the 31st.

In 1941, the dues were raised from $5.00 to $7.00, and Life Membership from $75.00 to $100.00, and $2000 was invested in Defense Bonds.

In 1942, it was voted to remit for the duration of the war the dues of all members of the Lodge who were in the service of their country, and for this same year, this Lodge was awarded the highest percentage record for contributions to the Masonic Service Organization.

In 1943, another $2000 was invested in War Bonds.

In 1944, the election of officers was changed from the annual communication in September to the regular communication in June, and in the same year, another $2000 was invested in War Bonds.

In 1945, Worshipful Colby H. Benson was appointed Deputy Grand Master for the 30th District and a testimonial dinner was tendered him in February. In May, Organist John Hindle was shown the evidence of good fellowship and appreciation of his eighteen years of faithful service in dispensing harmony in the Lodge by a testimonial dinner. In 1946 some revisions were made in the By-Laws, and in 1947, doubtless the outstanding event will be the celebration of the seventy-fifth anniversary, which began on Sunday, December 7 by a service of worship at the Unitarian Memorial Church, the Lodge being opened in the temple by Presiding Master Cuthbert W. Tunstall and proceeding to the church in regular formation. The service was opened by the Pastor, Rev. Horace Westwood, and the address was given by Brother Rev. R. Eugene Gilmore, whose subject was "Our Patron Saint John the Baptist." Special music including solos was provided for the occasion. There were 127 members of the Craft present.

The record shows there were twenty-seven members of this Lodge in the Armed Forces during World War II and two were killed in action and two, who were prisoners of the Japanese, were subsequently liberated.

Many honors have come to members of George H. Taber Lodge during its active existence, some of which follow: Appointed District Deputy Grand Master — James L. Gillingham, George B. Luther, Lyman C. Bauldry, Charles E. P. Thompson, Elton S. Wilde and Colby H. Benson.

Made Life Members — Brother Ernest J. Haydon and Right Worshipful Charles E. P. Thompson.

Awarded Fifty Year Veteran's Medals — George Jones Dodge, Ernest John Haydon, Theron Alton Kelley, George Benjamin Luther and Walter Elvin Bowman.

The present membership is 470, and as we gather to celebrate the seventy-fifth anniversary of George H. Taber Lodge, it is proper that we recognize with reverence and respect those members living and departed, who, by their regular and upright conduct, their skill and loyalty, created and maintained so successfully this organization which we fondly hope will continue to prosper and be a respected and uplifting part of our community, ever bearing in remembrance —

"There's a world where all are equal;
we are journeying toward it fast.
We shall meet upon the level there
when the gates of death are past.
We shall stand before the orient,
and our Master will be there
To try the blocks we offer
with his own unerring square.
We shall meet upon the level there,
but never thence depart,
There's a Mansion — 'tis all ready
for each faithful, trusting heart,
There's a Mansion and a welcome,
and a multitude is there
Who have met upon the level
and been tried upon the square."

OTHER

• 1901' (Name change to George H. Taber Lodge, 1901-96)

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

• Lyman C. Bauldry, DDGM, Fall River 30, 1929, 1930; Memorial
• Colby H. Benson, DDGM, District 30 (New Bedford), 1945, 1946; SN
• Eric M. Berg, DDGM, District 19, 2004, 2005
• Thomas E. Chase, DDGM, District 30 (New Bedford), 1975, 1976; SN
• James L. Gillingham, DDGM, District 26 (Fall River), 1896; SN
• George D. Hammond, DDGM, District 26 (Fall River), 1902; SN
• Lynwood P. Harriman, DDGM, District 30 (New Bedford), 1987, 1988
• George B. Luther, DDGM, District 30 (Fall River), 1915, 1916; N
• Charles E. P. Thompson, DDGM, District 31 (Nantucket), 1929, 1930; Junior Grand Warden 1938
• Cuthbert W. Tunstall, DDGM, District 30 (New Bedford), 1953, 1954; N

DISTRICTS

1872: District 14 (New Bedford)

1883: District 26 (Fall River)

1911: District 30 (Fall River)

1927: District 31 (Nantucket)

2003: District 19

LINKS

Lodge web site

Massachusetts Lodges