The History of Heights Lodge #633

Index | The formative years 1912 - 1916 | - > >

In the year 1912 several members of the Masonic fraternity residing in the village of Cleveland Heights were discussing the question of how many Masons there were living on the "Heights". One of the number was Brother Charles A. Tilden, at that time Superintendent of Schools of the Village. As he had a large acquaintance throughout the Village, Brother Tilden prepared a list of the Masons living on the Heights so far as he knew them, and mailed a copy [Letter, 297 Kb PDF] to each of them with the statement that he thought it would be both interesting and brotherly if the Masons living on the Heights could know "Who's Who", and suggested the possibility of a meeting being called for the purpose of getting acquainted.

The response to this first appeal did not seem to warrant the calling of any meetings, so the matter was allowed to rest for a time; but the next year a larger and revised list was sent out by Brother Tilden. The increase in the number of the Masons on the Heights was so encouraging that the question very naturally arose - "Why should not Cleveland Heights Village have a' Lodge of its own?"

In the minds of those most interested in this matter there was no question that, with about two hundred and fifty known Masons living in the two Heights Villages, a Lodge could easily be organized provided a meeting place could be secured.

There was no hall or room available in which Lodge meetings could be held, but one of the large property owners said that he was contemplating building a business block on Mayfield Road near Superior Road and if sufficient inducements were offered he would include in it a hall for Lodge purposes.

This was the beginning among the Heights Masons of the idea of organizing a Lodge and then erecting their own Temple building, and in connection with it, a business and apartment building, for revenue. Interest in this proposition grew rapidly and those who were working for it became more and more convinced that it could be carried out successfully.

In the latter part of November, 1914, a meeting was called by Brother Tilden, in the office of the Superintendent at the Lee Road School building. This meeting was attended by Brothers C. A. Tilden, W. M. Bogue, F. C. Becker, A. B. Breitweg and W. O. Spence. After a thorough discussion it was decided that the conditions were favorable for the organization of the contemplated Lodge and another meeting was called for December 1st, 1914, in the banquet room of Woodward Masonic Temple. This meeting was attended by the following sixteen Masons: Brothers C. A. Tilden, W. M. Bogue, F. W. Striebinger, F. S. Baskin, R. G: Martyr, F. A. Pease, W. F. Rawlings, M. C. Hamel, S. H. Mansfield, C. R. Keim, M. E. Russell, F. C. Becker, D. C. Smith, C. B. Edgar, W.. L. Eggers and A. B. Breitweg, eleven of whom afterwards affiliated with the New Lodge. Past Grand Master Edwin S. Griffiths was also present at this meeting and expressed himself enthusiastically in regard to the entire Lodge and building proposition. The chairman of the meeting, Brother C. A. Tilden, appointed a Building Committee consisting of Brothers Bogue, Striebinger and Becker to investigate the matter of the proposed building project and present a report at the next meeting. It was decided to hold the next meeting at the Heights Methodist Church on December 15th, 1914, and to extend a general invitation to all Masons living on the Heights.

This meeting was attended by over eighty Masons, fifty-three of whom signed the Charter-list of the New Lodge. The report of the building committee recommending that a Masonic temple be built as soon as practicable, was adopted.

In anticipation of this meeting and in order to stimulate interest in the building scheme, Bro. F. W. Striebinger, architect of the Woodward Masonic Temple, had prepared tentative plans [419 Kb PDF] for a business and apartment building, combined with a Temple building and adapted to the property at the south-east corner of Lee and Mayfield Roads, as it was possible to purchase this land on very favorable terms from the Grant Land Company with which Bro. F. C. Beaker was associated. The negotiations were later carried out through Brother Becker. The very pleasing plans and prospectus prepared and presented by Bro. Striebinger gave such an impetus to the whole proposition that a resolution was adopted to organize the New Lodge and go ahead at once with the building project as outlined by him. Brother F. A. Pease was appointed Chairman of the Building Committee and Brother W. M. Bogue was appointed chairman of the Committee for the organization of the new Lodge. Both Chairmen completed their committees and started the soliciting for sub scriptions for the new Temple building.

It was decided by the committees to erect a Temple and an apartment building, the total cost of both not to exceed $100,000.00, and that no steps would be taken toward organizing a Temple Company until at least $25,000.00 of this amount had been subscribed. Teams of solicitors were organized and meetings held at least once each week for reports and comparison of notes and experiences. The $25,000.00 was reached about the middle of April, 1915 and on April 28th, 1915, Brothers F A. Pease, F. W. Striebinger, R.A. Schnittger, C. V. Petty, C. A. Tilden, W. M. Bogue, S. H. Mansfield, F.C. Becker and A. B. Breitweg met and took the necessary steps for the organization of the Heights Masonic Temple Company. The Company was incorporated for $50,000.00 and on May 6th, 1915, stock books were opened.

[Letter to Bro. Charles Tilden serving as an invoice for stock payment]

The first meeting of stockholders was held in Heights Methodist Church on May 11, 1915, at which time ten per cent (10%) of the subscriptions was paid and the charter lists were signed by those who wished to affiliate with the new Lodge. The following were elected as Directors of the Temple Company: Brothers F. A. Pease, A. W. Ellenberger, H. E. Tremaine, C. A. Tilden, W. M. Bogue, E. A. Feazel, S. H. Mansfield, C. E. Gooding, F. C. Becker, G. E. Hartshorn and A.. B. Breitweg.

On the following day these directors met and elected officers as follows:

F. A. Pease, President.
C. A. Tilden 1st Vice President.
A. W. Ellenberger.. 2nd Vice President
F. C. Becker Treasurer.
A. B. Breitweg Secretary.
S. H. Mansfield.... Assistant Secretary & Treasurer.

The work of securing subscriptions for stock in The Temple Company and of obtaining signatures for the Charter List was pushed as rapidly as possible. This meant a great deal of hard work for all those most interested in the success of-the undertaking,

On Tuesday evening, August 24, 1915, a meeting of the signers of the Charter List was held at Woodward Temple and the following brethren were elected to serve as the first officers in the new Lodge:
Worshipful Master Past Master W. M. Bogue.
Senior Warden Charles A. Tilden.
Junior Warden Ernest A. Feazel.
Secretary A. B. Breitweg.
*Treasurer S. H. Mansfield.

*Brother Mansfield afterwards resigned as Treasurer in order to take a place in line in the Lodge as Senior Deacon and Brother F. S. Baskin was appointed Treasurer in his stead.

It was unanimously decided to call the new lodge "Heights Lodge" as this name had been used so much in that connection from the very beginning that any other would have seemed inappropriate.

The Charter List was closed about September 1st, 1915, with 107 signers. The necessary consents from the lodges having concurrent jurisdiction were obtained without any question and an application for a Dispensation [View original dispensation] was made to the Grand Lodge. The Dispensation was granted on November 16, 1915, and arrangements were made to hold meetings temporarily at the downtown Masonic Temple on Superior Ave., at East Sixth Street.

[The original bylaws, ca. 1915, were handwritten by Bro. Charles Tilden in a black book, which was then signed by the charter members & nearly every new member up through 1993.]

The first meeting of Heights Lodge, U. D. was held on December 3rd, 1915, with the following officers in their respective stations:
Worshipful Master W. M. Bogue
Senior Warden Charles A. Tilden.
Junior Warden Ernest A. Feazel.
Secretary A. B. Breitweg.
Treasurer F. S. Baskin.
Senior Deacon S. H. Mansfield.
Junior Deacon G. C. Hosford.
Senior Steward G. H. Custin.
Junior Steward B. F. Hanna.
Assistant Steward C. R. Keim
Assistant Steward W. Hohnhorst.
Tyler F. Blackwood.

At the stated meeting held Dec. 17, 1915, thirteen petitions for degrees were received and the officers of the Lodge found their work out out for them from the start. At the stated meeting held January 7th, 1916, the Entered Apprentice degree was conferred in a most impressive and creditable manner upon Mr. W. C. Dunlap, Mr. A. O. S. Allen and Dr. R. W. Elliott. This constituted the first active Masonic labor performed by the new Lodge and the work was done with a character and enthusiasm which augured well for the future. At this meeting all the officers of the Lodge appeared in evening dress and pledged themselves to continue this practice while conferring degrees. In this way they established this custom in Heights Lodge. Meanwhile the Heights Masonic Temple Company had purchased for a consideration of $10,000.00 the parcel of land at the southeast corner of Lee and Mayfield Roads, having a frontage of about 196 feet on Lee Road and 135 feet on Mayfield Road.

It had been finally decided that the most satisfactory plan from an investment standpoint would be to erect a combination store and apartment building in connection with the Temple Building, and the Company had engaged Brother F. W. Striebinger as the architect for the proposed buildings. Preliminary plans were-made showing several possible solutions of the various problems presented and as soon as the approval of the Temple Company was secured, the necessary drawings and specifications were prepared, proposals were received, contracts awarded and actual building operations started.

[Cleveland Plain Dealer article announcing the building of the new Temple, date unkown]

The first spadeful of earth was turned on September 2, 1915. Work on the excavation and Foundations was carried on with all possible speed and at three o'clock on the afternoon of Dec. 11, 1915, the corner stone of the Temple building was laid with impressive Masonic ceremonies, Brother J. H. Pinard, District lecturer for this Jurisdiction, officiating as the Most Worshipful Grand Master and Brother Matthew Smith as Grand Marshall.

[Cleveland Plain Dealer article about cornerstone laying, date unkown (presumably Dec. 12, 1915)]

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Shawn Miller, PM - Lodge Historian
Heights Lion Heart Masonic Lodge #633 F&AM
5516 Mayfield Road
Lyndhurst, OH 44124 [map]