CHAPTER V
THE NEW LODGE HALL
1936 In the years from 1930 to 1934 much discussion concerning a new lodge hall was held by the officers and brethren of our Lodge. The old frame building was rapidly deteriorating and much expense would be involved in trying to repair it to make it suitable for continued use. The store on the lower level last operated by Byron Miller, nephew of Harve Miller the owner, had been closed for several years. For approximately twenty years after closing the store no repair work had been done on the ground floor and this directly affected the condition of the second floor where the lodge hall was located.

About this time the organization of the Wesley Chapel Methodist Church, which was located a short distance north of the lodge hall on Meridian Street, wanted to sell their church building and lot. Their congregation had died out, only a few families remained as members and no church services had been held there since 1932.

A Lodge committee was appointed to investigate the possibility of purchasing the property. The investigation was made and after much bickering between the two groups the purchase was made for the price of one thousand dollars. Work on the new lodge hall was begun in 1935. The building was completed, approved and dedicated by the Grand Lodge of the State of Indiana on October 30, 1936.

The beautiful brick veneer temple which so adequately provides for the present and future needs of this up-and-going Lodge of over two hundred Masons is a two story structure with dining room, lounge, kitchen, checking facilities and modern heating and airconditioning equipment on the lower floor; and a spacious lodge room on the upper floor with a large ante-room, tyler's and preparation rooms adjoining.

Much of the construction work on the temple was performed by the brethren. They hauled brick, gravel, sand and other materials for the contractor, Otis Fulmer, also a brother Mason, and completed numerous other tasks about the building which hastened its completion. Their true Masonic spirit was shown in this enterprise while they labored together in unity toward the fulfilment of a dream made possible by the practice of the ideals that Masonry teaches.

Striking examples of their loyalty and industry were shown on many occasions but on one in particular when on a cold day in March, 1936, forty of the brethren gathered to dig the basement for the new temple. Such was their zeal on that stormy day that the entire basement was excavated even though it was necessary to work in shifts so that they could keep warm enough to work.

The new two story building, modernly equipped and ready for Masonic service, was completed at a cost of approximately five thousand dollars . . . plus the donated services of every brother Mason.




EXCERPT FROM THE INDIANA FREEMASON

Volume XIV, No. 6, Page 2, November, 1936

GRAND LODGE DEDICATES UNION VILLAGE

MASONIC TEMPLE AT PROVIDENCE

Impressive Grand Lodge Dedication Service held on Friday evening, October 30, 1936, for beautiful new Temple erected by Union Village Lodge No. 545, F. & A. M. at Providence, Indiana.

"On the evening of Friday, October 30, officers of the Grand Lodge F. & A. M. journeyed to Providence, Indiana, and dedicated the new home of Union Village No. 545. The ceremonies were witnessed by approximately two hundred interested brethren and visitors who assembled to honor the accomplishments of this loyal band of Masons.

The Grand Lodge officers, coming direct from Knightstown, Indiana, where they laid the cornerstone of the new Post Office at 2 P.M., were received by local officers and entertained with a splendid chicken dinner served by the wives of the officers. After this bountiful repast which will be long remembered by officers of the Grand Lodge, Brother Leon Thompson, Worshipful Master, called the Lodge to order and opened on the Master Mason degree. The officers of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge were then invited into the Lodge and introduced by the Worshipful Master. After they were introduced, Brother Thompson requested the Most Worshipful Grand Master, Thomas J. Wilson, to take charge of the meeting.

The following regular Grand Lodge officers took their stations: Thomas J. Wilson, Most Worshipful Grand Master; Wm. H. Morrison, R. W. Senior Grand Warden; Wm. H. Swintz, R. W. Grand Secretary; Ivory C. Tolle, W. Grand Lecturer; Henry W. Mock, W. Grand Marshal; Claude M. Jacoby, W. Senior Grand Deacon; James K. Gorrell, W. Junior Grand Deacon; Charles E. Lucas, Grand Steward and Tyler; and Rev. Fred A. Parker acted as Grand Chaplain. In the absence of the R. W. Deputy Grand Master, D. Burns Douglass; R. W. Junior Grand Warden, John R. Hunter; and R. W. Grand Treasurer, Frank E. Gavin; their positions were filled by Elba L. Branigin, P.G.M.; Thomas J. Bohan, P.G.M.; and Elliot French, Master of the Franklin Lodge.

After vacating his station in the East Brother Thompson then requested the Most Worshipful Grand Master to dedicate the Hall according to ancient custom.

After the impressive dedication service, Livy A. Young, a member of Union Village Lodge, gave an interesting history of the Lodge from the time M. W. Frank S. Devol, Grand Master, issued a dispensation on January 8, 1877, until the present. Brother Young was one of the earlier members of the Lodge and knew all the charter members. He gave many interesting sidelights on Masonry in the community, trials of brethren for unMasonic-like conduct, helping of the needy, and talked particularly about the feelings against the Order at the early date. Mr. Young recalled being brought to task by the good elders of his church for affiliating with the Masons.

"At the request of the Grand Master, Elba L. Branigin, P.G.M. gave an inspiring address to the brethren. This was well received because Brother Branigin, a local attorney, was well known and well liked in this community. As he stated in his remarks, he had watched its development with great interest for many years. The Grand Master then addressed the brethren in an inspiring manner. Members of the Craft are always eager to hear the Grand Master and especially when one is as sincere and earnest in perpetuating the cause of Masonry as was our lovable Brother Wilson from Corydon, Indiana.

After some timely remarks by W. W. Suckow, P.G.C., and members of the Masonic Home Board, who were well acquainted with Masons of Union Village Lodge, the Grand Lodge officers retired from the Hall, and Worshipful Master Thompson then returned to his station in the East. After several short talks by members and visitors the Lodge was closed in due and ancient form.

Truly, this dedication service was one of the great highlights in the history of our Lodge and will long be remembered by all the brethren who were present."

FIRST CANDIDATE TO COMPLETE MASONIC DEGREES IN NEW LODGE HALL
Maurice R. Utterback took his first two degrees in the old frame lodge hall and had the honor of being the first candidate to take the third degree and thus complete his Blue Lodge work in the new temple.

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Last update November 9, 1999.