The History of Heights Lodge #633
Heights Lodge #633. Historical Archive for Masonic Years 1935 – 1941
1935
As Heights 0633 enters the Masonic Year 1935 its W.M is Donald
C. Fabel and it has a membership of 653. There were 10 men raised
to MM. Degree, 3 men became affiliated, 3 wore reinstated and 4 unfinished
from last report making 20 additions to the rolls, therefore 673. Then
we must subtract 52 suspensions, 7 dimits, 9 deaths, 1 waiting for report
of committee, and 4 degrees unfinished making a total of 79. Therefore
at the end of the year the total membership was 600.
1936
As we approach 1936 Bro. Carl W. Grubs will serve as
W.M. On January17th the work began in earnest with the receipt of 1 petition
and favorable reports by committees on 3 petitioners who were then elected
to be candidates for the E.A. degree, On January 24th, 2 Fellowcraft were
raised to the sublime degree of M.M., namely D. F. Schofield son of P.M.
William Schofield and E.C. Dawson. The Lodge showed good attendance for
examples & officers, 20 members and 17 visitors. The stated meetings
were showing better attendance than the special meetings, but this was
not necessarily unusual, on April 24th two candidates received their Entered
Apprentice Degree, The Lodge was opened and closed in the Entered Apprentice
degree therefore eliminating the business session and putting it over
to the next stated meeting. At the end of the year 11 had been raised,
2 affiliated, 27 were reinstated. The net gain was 6 for a total of 606.
1937
The W.M, for the 1937 Masonic Year was Gustav Z. Stern.
Quite a few petitions for reinstatement from suspension for non payment
of dues came in during January and February. This was a good trend because
it will increase the total membership which at this point was 150 members
lower than the high point before the Crash of '29, The number raised this
year was 9, 2 affiliated, and 24 reinstated this year but then there were
9 who died, 3 withdrew, and 24 suspended for non payment of dues. This
suspension figure is down considerably showing a good recovery trend of
the economy. The net loss was 11 and total membership was 595.
1938
For the Masonic Year 1938 Guy R. Pratt was installed
as Wor. Master. This year was much better regarding the work performed,
There were 11 raised, 2 affiliated, 13 reinstated from suspension, creating
a net loss of 22 due to 26 suspensions, 9 demits, 11 deaths, I rejected
and 1 degree unfinished. Total membership 573.
1939
In the year 1938 Elmer C. Phillips became W.M. (in December)
and early in his year the Grand Lodge visited Heights #639. This visitation
occurred on 12/2/38 and it was a very impressive meeting. On December
20th a special meeting was called to confer the last rites for our Charter
Member Bro. Hans M. Wilkens. The service took place at the Rinear-Lambert
Funeral Home, 13136 'Euclid Avenue; East Cleveland, OH, where the full
funeral service was conducted. On January 21, 1939 the Fellowcraft team
was formed into a club with the following officers: President, Vice President,
Secretary and Treasurer. The purpose being to have it be self supporting
until such time as the lodge can take it over again. This action was taken
because of the financial situation that developed since the Crash of ’29.
The economy was strengthening and. Petitions were again coming in at the
rate of 4 per month and 2 E.A.'s and 2 F.C.'s per month were conferred
but it would slow to 2 per month soon. May 13, 1939 a reception for Grand
Waster Harry Meyer was held at the Masonic Temple at 3615 Euclid Avenue;
Cleveland, OH. He received his first degrees in Humboldt being raised
to the Sublime Degree of M.M. on May 29, 1901 and received the Ancient
Accepted Scottish Rite April 16, 1902. The event began at 5 P.M. and ended
at 11 P.M. Humboldt Lodge had a very Large turn out and Heights Lodge
#633 had all officers and 11 Bros. attending. We ended up the year with
559 members for a net gain of 2
1940
The Masonic Year 1940 began on December 9, 1939 with the installation
of Tarry A. Trautman as W.M.. During this year ? were
raised, 3 were affiliated, ? were reinstated. Then deduct 5 who died,
4 who withdrew, 20 were suspended for non-payment of dues. Total membership
547 for a net loss of 12.
1941
The Masonic year 1941 began on December 6, 1940 as Harry A Trautman relinquished
the gavel to Albert W. Grundman who had been his S.W.
We should note that at the Stated Meeting of March 15, 1941 there were
74 Bro's present, for this evening several Grand Officers paid Heights
#633 a visit: J.W. A. Stephens, and R.W.Dep. G. M. J. Sayre Christie.
They were received at the altar and given Grand Honors, then they were
escorted to seats in the East. the year ended the total membership rose
to 556 for a gain of 9. Then on December 5th Harold D. Heiss took over
as W.M. and on Sunday December 7th came the day that will live in infamy
"Pearl Harbor" was attacked by the Japs. On December 8th at
11 A.M. Congress declared war which started 5 full years of death and
destruction.
Compiled by
Bro. Ralph Dueker, Lodge Historian 1991-1996(?)
Note: I wish to give proper credit to Ralph Dueker for his research and to his widow for seeing it returned to the Lodge after he was called to the Celestial Lodge above. - W.B. Shawn Miller, Historian 04-06
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]
