The History of Heights Lodge #633
< < - | 1942 - 1948 | - > >
Heights Lodge #633. Historical Archive for Masonic Years 1942– 1948
1942
The Masonic Year 1942 began with the Installation of Bro. Harold C. Heiss.
The membership at the end of the year stood at 568. In this year 17 were
raised to the sublime Degree of M.M., a definite increase over the years
1937-1941. We lost 11 to the grim reaper, but of course are sure they
rest in the Celestial Lodge above, with the Great Architect of the Universe.
The following poem came from the funeral service of John W. Frazier:
With God's own eye above,
With brother hands below.
With friendship and with love,
My pilgrimage I'll go;
And when in Death's embrace,
My summons shall come soon,
Within your heart's best place,
Oh brethren, give me room.
1943
The Masonic year 1943 began with Perry W. Hermann wearing the tile. The
total membership stood at 570, a net gain of 2.
1944
Thomas B. Husband was installed as W.M. December 3, 1943. Earl M. Vogler
was Secretary and although his typewriter needed a new ribbon he kept
extremely thorough minutes. The membership had climbed to 598, a net gain
of 28. This was the year 1944.
1945
On December 8, 1944 John D. Arthur was installed as W.M.. Earl Vogler
continued as Secretary. The minutes reflect that a special meeting was
held April 21, 1945 at The Masonic Temple at 35th and Euclid in Cleveland,
Ohio so states the Dispensation issued by the G.M. of Ohio and rests in
the minutes book. This meeting honored P.M.'s, 25 year Masons, and other
Distinguished Masons. Total Membership 632, an increase of 34 and of that
number 14 were raised, the best addition of M.M.'s since 1937.
1946
The Masonic Year 1946 began with Neil F. Frerick at the helm. At the April
15th meeting, 5 petitions were received and assigned committees. This
was the largest single group of petitions since the year 1930. The economy
is back to normal, but it took a W.W.II to do it. This was a good year,
22 were raised, 5 affiliated, and 4 reinstated bringing Lodge total membership
of 663, an increase of 31. Many of us returned home this year and only
a few occupation troops in Japan and Germany remained overseas. You could
safely say at the annual meeting, "Well it's over over there boys."
1947
The Masonic Year 1947 began on December 15, 1946 as Douglas F. Schofield
was installed as Master of Heights Lodge #633 F.&A.M. We can safely
say the world is at peace. Many brothers visited lodges in England and
France during the war and brought back memorabilia. The total attendance
grew to 704, a gain of 41. The pertinent statistics were 49 raised and
12 died. Both were large numbers only being exceeded before 1929-37, the
great depression. You could say that Masonry was back to normal. [For
more detail regarding the year 1947 see the Masters
Report for the year.]
1948
On December 5, 1947 Arthur M. Koekert was installed as W.M. and the Masonic
Year began on December 19th with the new master wielding the gavel. On
or about February 20, 1948 a Petition for a new Lodge to be located in
Parma, Ohio appears. Heights #633 initiated this petition and forwarded
it to the G.M. of Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio. It has 54 signatures.
50 were the minimum number in those days. The total membership at the
end of this year was 703, a deficit of 1 member, probably due to the fact
that 11 Brothers withdrew (ostensibly to join the new Lodge). On the other
hand, 25 were raised which was quite good.
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]
