The History of Heights Lodge #633
< < - | The First Masonic Year 1916 - 1917 | - > >
[Programme of Work, April 1916]
It had been the hope of the officers and members of the Lodge that the new Temple would be ready for occupancy by the time the Charter was received, but it was found it would not be possible to dedicate the Temple until after December 1st (1916), so the Lodge continued to meet in the Masonic Temple at Superior Ave. and East 6th Street, in which place it was constituted in due and ancient form on October 27. 1916. This interesting and impressive ceremony was in charge of Bro. J. H. Pinard officiating as the M. W. Grand Master and W. Bro. Matthew Smith as Grand Marshall, assisted by the following brethren, representing the several officers of the Grand Lodge:
Deputy Grand Master E. M.. Sprague.
Senior Grand Warden F. O . Williams .
Junior Grand Warden G. O. Claflin.
Grand. Treasurer C. W. Fitch.
Grand. Secretary E. Kriss.
Grand Chaplain w. G. Hildebran.
Grand Orator H. J. Coates .
Senior Grand Deacon C. H. Evers, Jr.
Junior Grand. Deacon H, S. Stark.
Senior Grand Steward J. M. Owens.
Junior Grand Steward R. Elliott.
Grand Tyler W. B. Wagons.
After the completion of the ceremony of constituting the new Lodge, the following officers were duly and officially installed:
Worshipful Master W. M. Bogue
Senior Warden C. A. Tilden.
Junior warden E. A. Feazel.
Treasurer F. S. Baskin.
Secretary A. B. Breitweg.
Senior Deacon S. H. Mansfield.
Junior Deacon G. C. Hosford.
Stewards B. F. Hanna, W. Hohnhorst, C. R. Keim.
Tyler B. Dettlebach.
As an indication of the character of Heights Lodge, and as a matter of historical interest, it is a pleasure to record that Brother Pinard, in some congratulatory remarks made to the Lodge at this meeting, stated that the documents and records as presented by Heights Lodge to the Grand Lodge committee on charters, were in perfect form and that no better documents had ever been submitted to the Grand Lodge for its consideration.
This very gratifying statement by Bro. Pinard reflected great credit upon the Secretary for his excellent work and untiring efforts in behalf of the Lodge,and of course, gave the Lodge cause to congratulate itself upon having made so happy a choice for that office. After a few interesting and complimentary remarks by some ofthe visitors and a happy, well chosen speech by the newly installed Worshipful Master, Dr. Bogue, in which he expressed his appreciation for the interest and assistance of the visiting brethren as well as of the members of the Lodge, the first meeting of the Lodge under its new charter was closed in due form and harmony.
During the time the lodge was working under dispensation, thirty-five candidates were raised and two of the signers of the charter list. Bro. Q. H. Hawkins and Bro. Thos. .T. Kuhn, passed on into the Grand Lodge above, leaving the net membership of the Lodge at the time the charter was granted, 140.
The finances of the Lodge at that time showed a balance on hand of $1946.04 and value of property as $591.79.
At the annual election of officers, held on Nov. 17, 1916, all the officers of the Lodge were re-elected.
Although conditions made it necessary for Heights Lodge to hold its meetings
for an unexpectedly long period in the downtown Masonic Temple, and although
this arrangement meant long rides and hours for those who attended, a
fine spirit and enthusiasm of officers and of many members of the lodge
was shown throughout this first and in many ways difficult year in the
life and development of the Lodge. On the whole the meetings were well
attended, and the work of the officers showed their determination to establish
and maintain high standards of excellence and in spite of the various
handicaps under which the Lodge was laboring at that time, its growth
was constant and gratifying.
To those who had assisted Heights Lodge through all the difficulties off
the first year of its existence, it seemed indeed, like entering the Promised
Land. When the Lodge was, on the evening of December 1st, 1916, able to
hold the first meeting in its new but not quite completed home in the
Temple on the Heights.
On the evening of Friday, January 5, 1917, was held the installation
of the first elected officers of Heights Lodge No. 633, as follows
Worshipful Master Bro. Wm. Bogue
Senior Warden Bro . C. A. Tilden.
Junior Warden Bro. E. A. Feazel.
Treasurer Bro. F. S. Baskin.
Secretary Bro. A B. Breitweg.
Senior Deacon Bro. S. H. Mansfield.
Junior Deacon Bro. G. C. Hosford.
Senior Steward Bro C.R. Keim.
Junior Steward Bro. Wm. Hohnhorst.
Alternate Stewards Bro. A. M. Corcoran, Bro. C. F. Helmbrecht,
Tyler Bro. B. F. Hanna.
Chaplain Bro. D. S. Benson.
Bro F. Striebinger was elected as Trustee to serve for one year and Bro.
L. E. Wyman was appointed Marshall, and Brother. B. Waggoner was appointed
Historian.
The splendid appointments of the Lodge Room and. the ample stage accommodations made it possible for Worshipful Master Bogue to introduce an innovation in the work of the Master's degree, at least so far as this jurisdiction was concerned.
The large stage was fitted with appropriate scenery and equipped with apparatus for the production of excellent lighting effects. This equipment, together with a complete outfit of robes and paraphernalia enabled the Lodge to exemplify the allegory of the second section of the Master's degree, upon the stage, in a very dramatic and beautiful manner. This rendition of the work has proven most satisfactory in every way and has called forth nothing but favorable comment from all who have seen it put on; it has added materially to the impressiveness of the degree and so has increased the interest of those taking part in the work and at the same time presented to the spectators in a most striking and inspiring manner what the great actor and Mason, Edwin Booth. is known to have referred to as "One of the finest tragedies in history."
As an addition to the social life of the Lodge a series of monthly dancing parties was inaugurated. They were under the auspices of the Lodge and were intended to encourage a closer spirit of fellowship among the Masons on the Heights. These parties were held in the beautiful ballroom in the Temple and were most enjoyable and successful, and, as harmony is the strength and support of all institutions, these social affairs are to become a permanent feature in the life of the Lodge.
[Programme of Work, February 1917]
The outstanding event of the second year in the history of Heights Lodge was the ceremony of the dedication of the Heights Masonic Temple to Masonic purposes. An elaborate program was prepared for these ceremonies which took place at four o'clock on the afternoon of March 3, 1917 in the presence of about three hundred Masons, including representatives of the Grand Lodge of Ohio.
[Invitation to the Dedication & Banquet]
[Order of Ceremony, Dedication, Banquet and Program]
Past Grand Master Edwin S. Griffiths officiated as Grand Master with
due with due form and ceremony and in accordance with ancient custom Heights
Masonic Temple was dedicated to the practice of Freemasonry.
The officers participative stations, were as follows
M.W.G.M S. Griffitths, R.W G.M.
Rt.W.Dep. G.M H.M. Hagelbarger.
Rt.W.S.W J.H. Pinard.
Rt.J.W W.E. Palmer.
Gr.Treas S.S. West.
Gr.Secretary W. Crabbs.
Gr.Chaplain G.H. Robinson.
Gr. Orator C.T. Rose.
Gr.Marshall Matthew Smith.
Gr.S.D G. Hildebran.
Gr. J.D C.W.Fitch.
Gr.S. Steward J.E. Christian.
Gr.J. Steward D.O. Sawyer.
Gr.Architect F.W. Striebinger.
Bearer of the Gt. Lts T.H. Isitt., G.A. Metzger, G.H. Wilbur, G. Luekart,
Bearer of the Symbol H.E. Faubel, . T. Jackman, E. Miles, C.E. Myers.
Gr. Tyler T.J. Jones.
After the completion of the dedication ceremonies, Past Grand Master Griffiths made a few remarks in his usual happy vein and closed by reminding the brethren of Heights Lodge that in spite of the completeness of the appointments of the Lodge room, onevery important thing was lacking - the flag of our Country. Brother Griffiths then asked the officers of the Lodge to buy the finest American Flag they could find and to send him the bill.
Brother Jos. H. Champ later authorized the Lodge to purchase at his expense another flag to be in every way a duplicate of the one given by Brother Griffiths. These flags have since been purchased. and, standing on either side of the stage, are handsome additions to the furnishings of the Lodge room.
The ceremony of dedication was followed by a bountiful repast to which the ladies had been invited. The post-prandial speaking was unusually interesting and inspiring. Brother Homer S. Stark, as past master, opened the "feast of reason and flow of soul" with a few remarks pertinent to the occasion and introduced Bro. Ernest A. Feazel, our Junior Warden, who told us in a most pleasant way of the happy time "When Dreams Come True". The especial application was, of course, to the fact that the dreams which had been dreamed just three years before by the little group of Masons on the Heights had at last really come true and the Lodge and Temple which they had pictured so fondly to themselves had now become realities for the lasting enjoyment and benefit of all.
Our Rev. Brother Dr. M. H. Lichliter followed with one of his Masonic addresses and as his subject "Without Sound of Hammer" would indicate, this was an appeal to Masons to build that Masonic edifice of true character, that spiritual temple which though. builded without sound of hammer shall stand, eternal in the Heavens. In his preliminary remarks, Brother Lichliter stated that never before in all his experlence of making Masonic addresses, had he spoken to an audience in which the ladies were present and he was pleased to have the opportunity to tell them of some of the things for which Freemasonry stands.
Past G.M. Griffiths was to have spoken on behalf of the Grand Lodge, but owing to a previous engagement for the evening he was obliged to leave at the close of the dedication ceremonies, and his place as a sneaker was filled by Deputy Grand Master Hagelbarger, who, as representative of the Grand Lodge, congratulated the Masons of the Heights on their splendid accomplishments, not only in erecting a beautiful Temple, but also in establishing a Masonic Lodge of superior character.
The speaking was closed by our Worshipful Master Bogue, who spoke of Heights Lodge as a Masonic edifice in governing which he had used the gavel in knocking off the rough corners and the trowel in cementing the officers and members together in one common mass which he hoped would so remain, solidly bound together forever.
The banquet was followed by an excellent musical program in the Lodge room and dancing in the ballroom. Altogether the occasion was thoroughly enjoyable and one long to be remembered by those who had the privilege of attending.
[Programme of Work, April 1917]
The first annual inspection of Heights Lodge to. 633, under the new charter, was held on Friday evening, April 6, 1917, with District Lecturer, Brother John H. Pinard as inspecting officer. For his benefit the work of the Master Mason's degree was exemplified in full form and regalia.
In his report to the Grand Lodge, Brother Pinard was pleased to say that so far as the records and appointments of the Lodge were concerned, he was unable to find any fault with the magnificent work of the Lodge as he had seen it presented that evening. After reading his report he took occasion to say that when he first heard of the innovation Heights Lodge had introduced In exemplifying the second section of the Master's degree upon the stage, he was inclined to question the advisability of making any change in the accepted mode of work as prescribed by the ritual, but after witnessing the excellent work of the officers and team, together with the beautiful stage effects, with scenery and lights, he was very happy to say that he saw no deviation whatever from the spirit of the ritual and that he wished to congratulate the Lodge upon the excellent and impressive way in which the degree had been conferred.
Heights Temple is now used regularly by Heights lodge No. 633 F&AM., Heights Chapter No. 206, RAM, and Heights Chapter No. 398, OES.
The name "Heights" has evidently struck the Masonic fancy up here "on the hill" and surely no other name would be quite as appropriate as this, expressing, as it does so well, the altitude of our beautiful village above the surrounding country, not to mention its possible reference to the character of the Masonic bodies themselves, although we do say it, who perhaps should not.
[Programme
of Work, June 1917]
[Programme
of Work, July 1917]
[Programme
of Work, September 1917]
[Programme
of Work, October 1917]
[Programme
of Work, November 1917]
During the past year Heights Lodge has been exceedingly prosperous. No doubt this growth has been partly due to the rapid development of the Heights as a suburban residence section, but it must be attributed in a large measure to the high reputation of the work of the Lodge under the direction of Worshipful Master Bogue who has seen the Lodge through its second year - its teeth nicely cut and its body sound and sturdy. He has followed the true spirit of the Masonic ritual and has maintained throughout his tenure of office the high ideals of Freemasonry. Like the great luminary of Nature Which rises in the East to open and illume the day, he has endeavored to spread light and instruction among the brethren and to preserve the character and dignity of Freemasonry as an institution. ever bearing in mind that harmony is the strength and support of all institutions, especially this.
During this year there were conferred 138 degrees, divided. as follows:
Masters Mason 38
Fellowcraft 48
Entered Apprentice 52
The attendance of the brethren at the various meetings has been encouraging and the work of the officers and team deserving of high commendation. There is every reason for Heights Lodge to be congratulated upon the splendid record it has made in every way and to look confidently forward to a future of continued harmony and prosperity.
Compiled by W.B. Waggoner, Ira R.. Disbro, Ernest A. Feazel
Edited By Earnest A. Feazel, Charles A. Tilden
Contact us at historian@ohiomasoniclodge633.org
- or -
Shawn Miller, PM - Lodge Historian
Heights Lion Heart Masonic Lodge
Lyndhurst
Masonic Center
5516 Mayfield Road
Lyndhurst, OH 44124 [map]
