Freemasons Celebrate 150 Years In Pierceton
September 17, 2018 at 5:01 p.m.
Freemasons Celebrate 150 Years In Pierceton
By Dan [email protected]
Members of the lodge, as well as guests from across the state and wives of many of the participants, gathered for ceremonies and lunch. The event was open to the media and provided a glimpse into some of the rarely seen traditions of the private fraternal organization.
The post’s charter was established on May 28, 1868, and comprised men “aspiring to become better through a bond based on brotherly love and a belief in a supreme creator,” according to history provided by the organization.
Over the years, local Freemasons met at two locations to the north and south of the existing lodge at 106 N. First St. that was constructed 60 years ago by Freemasons.
The building was designed by Frank Logan, who was credited with the chief design of the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., and was constructed by Charles Cone of Cone Construction.
Freemason activities continue to be steeped in tradition. During ceremonies Saturday, there was synchronized marching of members and the loud tap-tap-tap, used to signal members to stand.
Activities include patriotic and religious themes.
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Ceremonies included proving the temple by using a level, square and plumb to verify parts of the building continue to be true.
Three lessons involved the pouring of corn, wine and oil, followed by an invocation and proclamation.
Back in their heyday, Masonic lodges served as a form of social networking for men who often collaborated in business activities, said Lew Collier, who has been a member since 1971.
But membership in the fraternity is growing older, and it’s becoming more difficult to recruit younger men.
These days, becoming a Freemason is a stepping stone to becoming a Shriner.
Celebrating 150 years is a milestone that happens less and less often.
“It’s getting rarer and rarer,” Collier said. “The towns all used to have lodges.
“It’s harder to get the young people involved, but we’re hanging in there,” Collier said.
But Saturday’s festivities stand as a milestone for many, including Jerry Hartman, a past master who celebrated 50 years as a Mason this year.
Hartman said he doesn’t recall any ceremonies marking the lodge’s 100th year back when he was a new member, but he was glad to see the group took note of its sesquicentennial.
“I think it’s a good feather in our cap,” Hartman said. “It brings some attention to our lodge.
“We’re alive here,” he added.
Members of the lodge, as well as guests from across the state and wives of many of the participants, gathered for ceremonies and lunch. The event was open to the media and provided a glimpse into some of the rarely seen traditions of the private fraternal organization.
The post’s charter was established on May 28, 1868, and comprised men “aspiring to become better through a bond based on brotherly love and a belief in a supreme creator,” according to history provided by the organization.
Over the years, local Freemasons met at two locations to the north and south of the existing lodge at 106 N. First St. that was constructed 60 years ago by Freemasons.
The building was designed by Frank Logan, who was credited with the chief design of the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., and was constructed by Charles Cone of Cone Construction.
Freemason activities continue to be steeped in tradition. During ceremonies Saturday, there was synchronized marching of members and the loud tap-tap-tap, used to signal members to stand.
Activities include patriotic and religious themes.
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Ceremonies included proving the temple by using a level, square and plumb to verify parts of the building continue to be true.
Three lessons involved the pouring of corn, wine and oil, followed by an invocation and proclamation.
Back in their heyday, Masonic lodges served as a form of social networking for men who often collaborated in business activities, said Lew Collier, who has been a member since 1971.
But membership in the fraternity is growing older, and it’s becoming more difficult to recruit younger men.
These days, becoming a Freemason is a stepping stone to becoming a Shriner.
Celebrating 150 years is a milestone that happens less and less often.
“It’s getting rarer and rarer,” Collier said. “The towns all used to have lodges.
“It’s harder to get the young people involved, but we’re hanging in there,” Collier said.
But Saturday’s festivities stand as a milestone for many, including Jerry Hartman, a past master who celebrated 50 years as a Mason this year.
Hartman said he doesn’t recall any ceremonies marking the lodge’s 100th year back when he was a new member, but he was glad to see the group took note of its sesquicentennial.
“I think it’s a good feather in our cap,” Hartman said. “It brings some attention to our lodge.
“We’re alive here,” he added.
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