In the interval between the 10th and the 17th of April 1914, a disastrous fire destroyed much of the furnishings of the lodge room in the Murphy Building. The Charter which now hangs on the wall of Unity Lodge #146, and the bible which was salvaged from the debris, bear mute testimony of the destructive work of this disaster. The Odd Fellows graciously invited the Craft to use their rooms until such time as Brother x. x. xxxxxxxx would be able to restore the building for use by the Unity Lodge. This kind offer was accepted for the period ending the 20th of November, when Unity Lodge No. 146 returned to their own lodge rooms.
In 1915, the Boyd property was sold to Brother x. x. xxxxxxxx for $5,000.00, the Lodge still retaining the Cass Rust lot on North Royal Avenue. In May of 1917, the Lodge purchased five $100.00 Liberty Bonds, and one more at a later date. In September of the same year, it was voted that all members of Unity Lodge serving in the armed forces be exempt from dues for the period of their service in the War then being fought. On their return from service, these Veterans were welcomed with a banquet in their honor which was attended by a majority of the members of this Lodge and by ninety-seven visiting brethren.
Apparently the auditors report as of January 1st, 1918, aroused the slumbering urge for a Masonic Temple, since at the meeting held the 22nd of February, it was moved that the initiation fee be increased to $30.00 and that a committee be appointed to “inquire and report relative to the purchase of a lot for the Lodge”. From that time on, this project seemed to be of first importance; various sites were considered; committees were appointed and discharged; the Loge moved to drop the project and they moved to implement it until February 1921. A canvass of the members present at this meeting pledged themselves to contribute $2275.00 to be put with the little over $6,000.00 on hand cash and in bonds, toward the acquiring of a Temple.
A lot on Main Street was purchased from x. x. xxxxxxxx for $5,000.00 upon which it was proposed to construct a Temple at a cost of $20,000.00. The Bonds held by the Lodge were sold and the Sonner lot paid for. Nothing came of this, however, until December 1924 when it was moved that a new committee be set up having complete authority to buy, build, finance, construct, or do whatever it deemed necessary to furnish the Lodge with a suitable Temple, the said committee not being to report progress to the Lodge. Brothers, x. x. xxxxxxxx, x. x. xxxxxxxx, x. x. xxxxxxxx, x. x. xxxxxxxx and x. x. xxxxxxxx were named to this committee appointed by Brother x. x. xxxxxxxx who was Worshipful Master at this time. Brothers x. x. xxxxxxxx and x. x. xxxxxxxx soon after resigned and Brothers x. x. xxxxxxxx and x. x. xxxxxxxx were appointed in their stead.
The Soner Property was sold for $6,000.00, and having obtained an option, the committee purchased the property now occupied by Unity Lodge from x. x. xxxxxxxx for $10,500.00. The initial cost of the new Temple was estimated at $12,500.00 and arrangements
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Unity Lodge No. 146 