History of Grecian Lodge

Lawrence MA

Chronological Order of Lodges in what is now the City of Lawrence 

 

The earliest Masonic meeting in what is now Lawrence was held by St. Matthew's Lodge of Andover in January 1823 at the Parker Tavern  (also known as the Towne Tavern) which still stands on the northeast corner of Parker and Andover Streets in South Lawrence, then part of Andover. The first lodge to permanently locate in Lawrence was Grecian Lodge. A preliminary meeting for organization of this lodge was held in Methuen at the home of Bro. Charles O. Kimball, the first pastor of the Methuen Baptist Church. The lodge was chartered in December 1825 and first met in 1826 in the hall of the Methuen Literary Society. The Lodge ceased working in 1834. To pick up the thread of this story we need look no further than to the following talk given on September 12, 1872 by Bro. John Stowe:

 

…On the 30th of January 1848, three years after the founding of Lawrence, and five years before it became a city, a meeting of Grecian Lodge was held at the house of Dr. Stephen Huse, in Methuen --Worshipful Stephen Huse in the chair. There were present twelve resident and former members of Grecian Lodge. The charter, (which was granted in 1825, and held in that town, but had for a few years been deposited with the Grand Lodge) was returned, and resumed by the Lodge, and they proceeded to the election of officers, and resumed their work under it. Dr. Stephen Huse was elected Worshipful Master, and eight non-affiliated brethren were proposed for membership. “Closed to meet at Masonic Hall, Merchants’ Row, Essex Street, Lawrence, at 7 o’clock, next Thursday evening.” This hall, having already been prepared in anticipation of its necessity, Grecian Lodge met according to adjournment; opened in due form, and in due time proceeded to ballot for the proposed brethren, who were duly elected, and the order of the Mystic Tie regularly organized in the New City, (so called) with a membership of twenty, twelve original, or charter, and eight admitted brethren, on the evening of February 3d, 1848, within a few months of twenty-five years ago.

 

Mt. Sinai Royal Arch Chapter Organized 

On Sept. 12th 1861, by petition of Jos. W. Smith and thirteen others, a dispensation was granted, and Mt. Sinai Royal Arch Chapter organized, holding their meetings with Grecian Lodge.  

Tuscan Lodge Formed 

About two years later—Grecian Lodge being cumbersome in management, numbering about one hundred and ninety members—Bro. L.A. Bishop and fourteen others petitioned for a new Lodge in Lawrence. Their petition was granted, and Tuscan Lodge organized in 1862 under dispensation, and immediately commenced their labors in the hall of Grecian Lodge in City Block.  

 

Tuscan Lodge Constituted & Bay State Hall Become Home

The rooms in City Block, ample for one Lodge, ten years before, were found inadequate to the wants of the three bodies now meeting there, and Tuscan Lodge, immediately upon its organization, resolved to have a more suitable place of meeting. It, therefore, secured and fitted up Bay State Hall, on Essex Street, which it occupied in the fall.2 Mt. Sinai R. A. Chapter also removed there as soon as the hall was completed. Tuscan Lodge was constituted, and received its charter, dated Dec. 10th, 1864; its hall was dedicated and its officers installed by the M. W. Grand Lodge, January 28th, 1863, (almost nine years ago,) and Nov. 9th, of the same year, Grecian Lodge removed to the same apartments.  

Over 400 Members Requires Third Lodge, Phoenician Organized 

There being now in Lawrence over four hundred brethren of the order, it was deemed wise and prudent, if not an actual necessity, that a third Lodge should be erected in Lawrence, and on petition of H. G. Herrick and nineteen others, Phoenician Lodge was granted a dispensation, organized and secured a working place [in the quarters] of Tuscan Lodge. It was chartered, Nov. 5th, 1870, and in September 1871, Grecian Lodge granted five, and Tuscan Lodge eleven demits and honorable discharges to brethren to erect the new lodge; and February 21st, 1872, Phoenician Lodge was duly constituted in full and ample form, according to the ancient usages of the craft, and received its charter; and its officers were installed by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge.  

  …The old trouble of lack of room, so common to growing men and institutions, was again experienced, and as early as 1867, less than four years from the dedication of the Hall of Tuscan Lodge, we find the several bodies conferring with each other, in regard to their need of quarters adequate to their rapidly increasing work…

 

Officers of Grecian Lodge for the 150th anniversary

1825 - 1975

Front Row Left to Right: R.W. Eugene G. Oldfield, Wor James G. Johnstone, Bro.Nathan A. Hayward Jr.. Wor Julius W. Emmert, Bro. G. Robert Edgecomb, Wor.Sidney L. Weinberg, R.W. Henry D. Ramm.

 

Second Row Left to Right: Bro. Vernon L. Sewade, Bro. Rudolph Planitzer, Bro. Howard L. Grosser, Bro. Ralph Brouck, Bro. Joseph T. Morley, Bro. Stephen M. Juba Jr.