were made to borrow up to $15,000.00 as needed for construction. During the period intervening until the new Temple was ready for occupancy, the Lodge by rental agreement, held its meetings in the Odd Fellow Hall. In May 1926, a cornerstone was ordered for the new building and on the 29th of July of that year, the building was dedicated with Most Worshipful x. x. xxxxxxxx, Past Grand Master, representing Most Worshipful x. x. xxxxxxxx, Grand Master, giving the Dedicatory Address. From the list of members of Unity Lodge, the visiting dignitaries and Master Masons from other Lodges, it must have seemed like a convocation of Grand Lodge to the people of Front Royal.
On June 22nd preceding the dedication, occurred the death of Brother x. x. xxxxxxxx who had served the Lodge faithfully as Secretary for seventeen years. Following these events, the Lodge either officiated or assisted in the laying of the cornerstones of several structures in Virginia among which were the Memorial Gateway to the Randolph-Macon Academy, the Tubercular Pavilion at Charlottesville, the Randolph-Macon Academy, the Front Royal Municipal Building, and the Warren County Court House.
Dues were raised to $5.00 per year and the initiation fee was increased to $50.00. This together with the rentals from the offices on the first floor of the building furnished only enough income for operating expenses. The membership of the various committees and Board of Managers were at different times composed of the active and interested members, new ones being named by each succeeding Master, but with very little difference in results.
From the short history of Unity Lodge prepared by Worshipful Brother x. x. xxxxxxxx, I am indebted for the following information. The first bond of indebtedness was paid off to Mrs. x. x. xxxxxxxx, Sept. 23rd 1936, and the loan of $14,000.00 was refinanced at 5% instead of 6% during that year. The Lodge continued to retire a $1,000.000 bond each year thereafter. Through the sale of various portions of the Temple real estate, culminating in the sale of the lot on Jackson Street in 1946 for $8,000.00, the indebtedness was paid in full.
On May 14th 1937, Brother x. x. xxxxxxxx enjoyed the rare privilege of raising his son, x. x. xxxxxxxx, to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. On Sept. 5th, 1944, Worshipful Brother x. x. xxxxxxxx enjoyed the same privilege when he raised his son, x. x. xxxxxxxx, and June 14, 1944, Worshipful Brother x. x. xxxxxxxx raised his son, x. x. xxxxxxxx. This is something that every Master Mason who has a son hopes to do when the boy becomes of age of manhood. Then the father enjoys some of the finest experiences that can come to a Master Mason.
December 10th 1943, it was ordered that the 1944 Membership cards be mailed to those of Unity Lodge who were serving in the armed forces of the present war.
October 8th 1948, x. x. xxxxxxxx, Worshipful Master, through his proxy, Rt. Worshipful x. x. xxxxxxxx, presented 25 year emblems to the following members of Unity Lodge: — x. x. xxxxxxxx
◄ 23 ►
Unity Lodge No. 146 