as Worshipful Master. The public having been invited to the installation, they were at its completion, conducted to the Davis Hall where refreshments were served.
April 7th 1899, the Master was requested to write the Grand Secretary, and get from him all the information possible bearing upon the organization of the Masonic Lodge in 1899. Even then Masons were beginning to look back to the time and place from whence they came. This being the Centennial Year since the founding of Chester Lodge No. 61, and dispensation having been granted by the Grand Master, Unity Lodge No. 146, after having conferred the Master Mason degree on Brother x. x. xxxxxxxx, closed in ancient form and harmony. The Lodge doors were then opened to the public who were the guests of the Lodge on this occasion. Brother x. x. xxxxxxxx gave a very interesting address which was followed by the unveiling of the marble tablet which is now mounted on the wall of the Lodge Room, and which reads, “Chester Lodge, x. x. xxxxxxxx, W.M. Chartered December 11th, 1799. This tablet is erected to commemorate the One Hundredth Anniversary of the establishment of Free Masonry in Front Royal. x. x. xxxxxxxx, W.M. Unity Lodge No. 146, June 23rd, 1899.”
In this same year, Grand Lodge was held in Alexandria, Va., the 13-14-15 of November; Brothers, x. x. xxxxxxxx, x. x. xxxxxxxx, x. x. xxxxxxxx, x. x. xxxxxxxx and x. x. xxxxxxxx attending.
Open house was held the evening of June 24th, 1902, at which time the recently purchased steroptican slides depicting the emblems and symbols of Free Masonry were shown, the significance of which was explained by Brothers x. x. xxxxxxxx and x. x. xxxxxxxx. Brother x. x. xxxxxxxx gave a short address on Masonry. Refreshments were served to members and guests in Davis Hall.
An invitation was extended to the proposed organization of a Royal Arch Mason Chapter, to share in the privileges of the Lodge rooms, at the regular meeting in October 1904. We learn later that this offer was accepted.
Brother x. x. xxxxxxxx presented the Lodge with a Bible for the alter at the meeting held the 17th of February 1905, which was received with the grateful thanks of the Lodge. At the next meeting, Brother x. x. xxxxxxxx, Governor of the State of Virginia was a welcome guest of this Lodge, and after being accorded Public Grand Honors, he addressed the members in his usual eloquent style which was very entertaining and instructive.
On August 2nd 1905, Grand Master, x. x. xxxxxxxx, assisted by the members of Unity Lodge No. 146, and visiting brethren from several Masonic Lodges about the State of Virginia, laid the cornerstone of the Methodist Episcopal Church South in accordance with the ancient usages and traditions of Masonry. The sealed metallic box placed in the cornerstone contained the following items — Warren Sentinel, Baltimore South Methodist, names of the trustees of the Corporation of Front Royal, a list of the officers and teachers of Front Royal Graded School, the Church Hymnal, Book of Discipline, the names of the subscribers to the building fund, the name of the Church, names of the Pastor, Trustees, Building and Finance
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Unity Lodge No. 146 