HISTORY OF TEMPLE LODGE #173

The year 1897 is an important date for Temple Lodge because it was on December 4 that a group of Masons living in Westwood met for the purpose of organizing a lodge, and to practice the exemplification of the work of the three degrees.

Those who occupied the stations were: A.C. Brackett, W.M.; C.C. Felker, S.W.; L.M. Allen, J.W.; A. Gray, S.D.; L.C. Rolland, J.D.; B.D. Stone, S.M.C.; C. Gray, J.M.C.; G.H. Helm, Chap.; A.B.Bogert, Treas.; L. J. Bleauvelt, Secy.; and A Van Horn, Tyler. They selected that name “Temple” for the lodge when they would be granted a charter.

Frequent meetings were held, and on Jan. 15, 1898, it was decided to attend Friendship Lodge on Monday evening Jan. 17 for the purpose of exemplify the work of the three degrees. Since transportation in those days was difficult, arrangements were made to take the officers to Park Ridge by wagon. A delegation attended Friendship Lodge and exemplified the degrees to the satisfaction of the Master, Wor. Bro. Robert Sibbald. However, when he was asked to sign the usual certification to enable the proposed Temple Lodge to obtain a Charter from Grand Lodge at the annual communication on Jan 26 and 27, he refused as he did not know whether the hall where Temple would meet was suitable according to Masonic regulations. A letter was read from Wor. Bro. Sibbald of Friendship Lodge at the Feb. 5, 1898 meeting suggesting that an invitation be sent to Friendship to visit Westwood. This was done and on Feb. 12, Bros. Sibbald and Duryea visited Westwood and expressed satisfaction with the quarters where Temple would meet. They stated there would be no doubt that Grand Lodge would accept their recommendation and grant a dispensation to the proposed Temple Lodge. The acting Wor. Master and several brethren attended Friendship Lodge with the certificate of approval, which was cheerfully signed by Wor. Bro. Sibbald who ordered the Seal to be affixed by the Secretary.

It was reported at the Feb. 19 meeting that the certificate had been sent to the Grand Master. At this meeting the first indication of the meeting place was mentioned when T.E. Haring presented a bill for rent. Haring’s Hall was located on the north side of Westwood Ave. between Broadway and Center Avenue.

The Grand Master, M.W. Bro. S.W. Ewan, and his staff visited Westwood on April 30, 1898 and after opening lodge declared Temple Lodge, U.D. until the next Annual Communication of Grand Lodge in 1899. Ninety-six Masons were present from 13 New Jersey and 3 New York Lodges. This was remarkable when you consider the only means of transportation was the railroad, last train leaving at 10:30 P.M., or horse and wagon.

Weekly meetings were held every Saturday night from December 1897 until April 1899 when it was voted to hold regular communications every two weeks and have no sessions during July and August.

It appears from the minutes that dues were $4.00 a year and the initiation fee $16.00. Seven applications were received at the May 7, 1898 meeting. Also received was a gift of the Letter “G” from Haledon Lodge No. 169.

March 15, 1899 is the third most important date in the history of Temple Lodge. On this evening, the Most Worshipful Grand Master, Josiah W. Evan, and his entire staff visited Westwood and instituted Temple Lodge No. 173. After the Grand Master had opened the constituted Temple Lodge, he installed the officers as follows: A.C. Brackett, W.M.; C.C. Felucca, S.W.: L.M. Allen, J.W.; A.B. Bogert, Treasurer; C.J. Bleauvelt, Sec’y; H.A. Bingham, S.D.; B.D. Stone, J.D.; C.H. Conant, S.M.C.; G.A. Weaver, J.M.C.; J.S. Newburn, S.S.; E. Maples, J.S.; J. Demarest, Marshal; I. Onderdonk, Tyler, and G. Helm, Chaplain. Eleven District Deputies and 92 visitors from 31 lodges were present. After the ceremonies a collation was served at Smith’s Hall.

It is interesting to note that frequently a candidate was voted upon, and if the ballot was favorable he received his Entered Apprentice degree on the same evening. Also at many communications in these early years of the lodge, two degrees were conferred during the evening. For example, an Entered apprentice Mason would be given his Fellowcraft degree, then another F.C. would be found in waiting who would be examined and if proficient, raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason.

The District Deputy, R.W. Bro. W.H. Belcher, presided at the first election and installation of officers of Temple Lodge on Dec. 2,1899. The minutes indicate there was competition for each of the elective officers except that of Worshipful Master. Bro. Curt C. Felker, who gave the three marble slabs on the pedestals in the East, West and south of the Lodge Room was installed as the second Worshipful Master of Temple Lodge.

The Lodge paid only $50 a year for the use of Haring’s Hall even though meetings were held nearly every week except during July and August.

At the June 20, 1903 meeting, Bro. T.D. Wesley presented Temple Lodge with a stone from the quarries of King Solomon.

The Lodge decided in 1903 that a Past Master’s Jewel should be presented to the outgoing Master.

At the May 1, 1907 meeting, Temple Lodge was informed they were now in the 3^rd District instead of the 15^th. R.W. William Braun of Jersey City was the District Deputy, and the next Grand Lodge of Instruction was held in Odd Fellows Hall, Hoboken on Sept. 21

At the Feb. 15, 1911 meeting Article 1, Section 2 of the by-laws was amended to open lodge at 7:30 p.m. This time has been followed since then.

The rent for the use of Haring's Hall was increased to $75 a year in 1911.

The first brother to enter the Masonic home from Temple Lodge was in the summer of 1912. The Lodge outfitted his with proper clothing and took him to the home.

Temple Lodge had a membership of 94 at the end of 1912.

The present type of officers chain collars were purchased for $79.50 to be worn at the election and installation of officers on Dec. 16, 1914.

Our present altar was given to Temple Lodge on Dec. 1, 1915 as a gift of William T. Baker.

The first mention of a Temple for the Lodge was made at the Jan. 19, 1916 meeting when the Master appointed a committee to find ways and means of raising funds for such a building.

At the Feb. 19, 1919 communication, there was a discussion on the building, which resulted in the appointment of a building committee. Wor. A.G. Pritchard at the Oct. 15, 1919 meeting recommended the purchase of a suitable plot in town and the erection of a simple Masonic Temple.

Grand Lodge presented Temple Lodge with a gavel made from the wood of trees on the grounds of the Masonic Home at Burlington. Wor. Bro. W.T. Baker put this in a frame and hung in the Lodge room.

At the May 17, 1922 the Brethren authorized Temple Lodge to purchase $4,500 of stock in the Masonic Temple Corp. of Westwood and that title be given to the names of the Trustees of Temple Lodge. The Craftsmen’s Club purchased the land in the fall 1923 where we now have our Temple. They received 400 shares of Temple Association stock in exchange for the deed to the property. The association had approved the building of a Temple not to exceed $30,000. Work commenced on Dec. 13, 1923.

Several important events occurred in 1924, the first of which was the celebration on Feb. 6^th of the 25^th anniversary of the granting of Temple Lodge’s charter. The second event took place on March 29^th when a large gathering attended the laying of the cornerstone of the Temple by the Grand Master, M.W. Bro. Frank Sayre.

On May 7 the last meeting was held in Haring's Hall. Beginning with May 24^th, the Lodge met in Odd Fellows Hall, the meeting night being changed temporarily to the 2^nd and 4^th Saturdays.

The Lodge in conjunction with the Craftsmen’s Club purchased for use in the new Temple an organ that the Unitarian Church in Ridgewood had for sale.

1929 was the first year that the incoming Master was presented with a Past Master apron.

The Hadic brothers presented to the Lodge the marble slabs, for use on the three pedestals.

The immovable jewels in the East, West and South of the Lodge room were made and presented to the Lodge by Wor. Bro. Leroy K. Wallace.

On October 19, 1949, the Lodge at its 962^nd communication celebrated its 50th Anniversary.

During 1980, Bill Stander painted the beautiful mural in the East.

In 1999 Temple Lodge celebrated their 100^th Anniversary.

Members of Temple Lodge who have served as Grand Lodge Officers over the years: R.W. Edward Hague, Junior Grand Steward; and the following Grand Chaplains: R.W. Morril P. Josselyn, R.W. Donald B. Hodges, R.W. Richard Greenhalgh, R.W. William Havens and R.W. Kenneth R. Ross.

Efrein Torres and former member Ellis Collignon III both served four times as Worshipful Master of Temple Lodge, and were very instrumental in keeping Temple Lodge going to where we are today. Of course there are a lot of other dedicated brothers -- but it would take a long time to mention them all -- who have kept and are keeping Temple Lodge a viable and growing Lodge for the 21^st Century.

By: Daniel J. Schultz, P.M. Historian