History

-3-

the Red Men, Oddfellows and Friends of Temperance. This arrangement was better than the others since the use of the Hall was for the Masonic Lodge and rents from the other organizations went to Unity Lodge. The Oddfellows moved to their own building sometime in 1906–the records were not clear on this item. Many other committees were formed and discharged but the urge to own a Temple was still strong and foremost in the minds of all the Brethren and on May 24, 1907 a resolution was presented by H. E. Naylor and passed to take $10.00 from each initiation fee and put it in a special account in the bank to be used as a Building Fund.

On January 17, 1908, they purchased the Boyd lot for $2550.00 and Hugh E. Naylor, George W. Forsythe and R.H. Jackson, were elected Trustees. The Lodge moved from the Free School Building and sold their room on the ·third floor of the Free School Building to the Trustees of that school for their use and rented the Oddfellows Hall from August 19, 1910 until September 16, 1910, when they moved to the upper floor of the Murphy Building and meetings were held here until it burned out on April of 1914. Meetings were again held in the Oddfellows Hall until November 11, 1914. The Lodge purchased Cass Rust Lot on Royal Avenue for $600.00 and had difficulty getting title to the same until September 16, 1910 when title was realized. The Murphy Building was repaired and meetings were again held in this building starting November 2, 1914. The Lodge sold the Boyd Lot to R. B. Murphy for $5000. on September 17, 1915.

During the next five years committees were appointed and discharged, each having the authority to purchase a lot and erect a Temple without having to obtain permission of the Lodge.

On April 8, 1921, the committee purchased a lot on Main Street from W. W. Sonner for $5000. This lot was kept by the Lodge until March 13, 1925, when a committee of seven, composed of Bros. James H. Shiner, Chairman, H. R. Millar, Julian N. Major, S. F. Rhodes, C. A. Stokes, T. A. MacNamara and C. Oma Maddox, sold it to Mr. Wm. H. Proctor for $6000. and purchased the property of Mr. R. E. Purdum on Main Street for $10,500. Plans were made and formulated until agreement was reached on the erection of a hall in the rear of the newly
purchased property so that W. M. Thomas MacNamara ; to run the Masonic Temple, appointed the following Managers: J. L. Borden, three years, E. Barr Samsell, two years, and W. G. Dearing, one year.

The last meeting was held in the Murphy Building on August 4, 1925 and were held in the Oddfellows Hall. On March 12, 1926, the Board of Managers were authorized to borrow $15,000. to complete the hall and erect offices on the first floor to be rented to help pay off this debt.

The Lodge Hall was dedicated at a Special Communication of Unity Lodge on July 29, 1926. The W. M. at this dedication was Thomas MacNamara, James H. Shiner, Senior Warden, L. C. Willey, Junior Warden, Geo. N. Buck, Treasurer, C. A. Kidd, Secretary, L.B. Cary, Senior Deacon protem, Geo. V. Buck, Junior Deacon protem, H. W. Shannon, Chaplain, H. O. Millar, Tiler protem and Brothers Mark B. Turner, Hugh E. Naylor, A. N. Carroll, J.B. Stokes, H. M. Thrush and P. M . Shirey.

Most Worshipful Chas. H. Callahan, Past Grand Master, representing Most Worshipful Ben W. Beach, presided at this dedication. The address of welcome for Unity Lodge was given by Brother W. G. Dearing. Most Worshipful Brat her Chas. H. Callahan, the principal speaker of

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8


Posted

in

by

Tags: