- 1770
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The Provincial Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, under Grand Master; R\W\William Ball, issued a Warrant dated June 28th, 1770, to John Wale, Master; Archibald Phillips, Senior Warden; and Peter Gardner, Junior Warden; empowering them to hold a Lodge at Fells Point, and registered under that Grand Jurisdiction as No. 15. (According to Masonic Tradition, no Brother can be installed as Master of a Lodge unless he has proven his proficiency in conferring the Ancient Craft Degrees. Therefore, we must infer that these Brethren had some Masonic experience prior to this date.) An early list of members of this Lodge leads us to believe that most of them were seafaring men and merchants dealing in goods that were dependent upon maritime commerce. This seems to account for the location at Fells Point, as this was the harbor of Baltimore.
The political situation of the Colonies is well known to have been of vital interest to the Brethren of the Fraternity, as our National history records show many of them in the forefront of public activity. Proof of their fraternal ties is found on rosters of Lodges from one end of the Colonies to the other. Public history also records the immense part played by the Colonial Merchant Marine in the formation of the new Nation. Seamen were the couriers between the Committees of Correspondence and the Sons of Liberty, and the confidential nature of these activities could be kept so within the confines of a tiled Lodge Room. This is not to be construed to mean that Masons alone established the new Government, but the men who were to become outstanding leaders in that Government and its contributing activities were the men whose aggressiveness and talents led them to seek the rights and privileges of Masonry.
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1776
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This curious parallel to the growth of the Fraternity and the growth of the Union is still in evidence as late as the 1950’s. (This note is inserted here because the ebb and flow of the Nation’s fortunes is reflected in the fortunes of the Craft.) After the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and the acceptance of the idea of Sovereign States, the formation of Sovereign Jurisdictions was begun.
The first Grand Lodge to establish its independence was the former Provincial Grand Lodge of Ancients at Boston on March 8, 1777. It was followed by the Grand Lodge of Virginia on October 30, 1778. These two were formed during the hostilities between England and America. These hostilities ceased on October 19, 1781, with the surrender at Yorktown. Congress issued a proclamation on April 19, 1783, that a preliminary treaty of peace had been signed at Paris.
- 1783
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Two months after this, June 17, 1783, the deputies of five Lodges on the Eastern Shore of Maryland met at Talbot Courthouse to organize a Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons for the State of Maryland, and elected Grand Officers. Brother John Coats, a former Captain in Washington's Continental Army was chosen Grand Master, and he instituted proceedings to legalize the new organization. It was resolved to meet again on June 17, 1784, at Cambridge, but this meeting did not materialize and none was held until four years later. However, the subordinate Lodges continued to hold allegiance to this Grand Body, and it is considered to be the third Independent Grand Lodge in America, and the first organized after the complete independence of the Colonies.
April 17, 1787, saw the Eastern Shore Lodge deputies again in convention, and upon review of their previous action reestablished their Grand Body. Brother John Coats was reelected Grand Master, and Peregrine Lethrbury Deputy Grand Master. In a letter dated August 7, 1787, to the latter, the Master and Officers of No. 15 state that they are sorry that their deputization of him had arrived too late to be of efficacy in the formation of the new organization. They repeated their desire for him to act on their behalf, and asked for a Warrant from the Grand Lodge of Maryland, and promised to return the old one from Pennsylvania. Bro. Lethrbury presented their letter at the next convening on September 18th , and continued to act as deputy until meetings were discontinued at Easton. During the Fall Communication of 1787 on September 19th, a Constitution for the Grand Body was adopted and a Form of Warrant and Grand Lodge Seal authorized. Such a Warrant was not received by us until later, as in another letter, to Brother Lethrbury, dated April 1st, 1788, we were styled as No. 15, and states that "we are happy to learn that our Warrant from the State of Maryland will soon be obtained." The next Communication of the Grand Lodge, September 16, 1788, records our Deputy as representing No. 3; therefore, must we assume that this Warrant was issued since April and we were now "bona fide" members of the Grand Jurisdiction?
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- 1787
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At this point, it is only proper and fitting that we mention Past Master David Stodder, who was Worshipful Master of old Lodge #15 in 1787 and 1788. It was during his term of office, that while acting in our behalf, he journeyed to the Eastern Shore at the forming of the Grand Lodge of Maryland. Bro. Stodder’s signature also appears on the Dispensation granted to a number of Brethren dated January 16, 1793, to hold a branch Lodge in the Town of Baltimore, from which group the present Concordia Lodge #13 traces its beginning. His signature is followed by the word and abbreviations - Master and R.W.G.M.J. - meaning Master of Lodge #15, and Rite Worshipful Grand Master Joshua, a Chapter title historians assume to be that of a Grand Royal Arch Chapter in Maryland. Today, the names of Zerubabel, Joshua, and Haggai are not used in the titles - they have been changed to King, High Priest and Scribe. It is, therefore, assumed that Brother Stodder was Grand High Priest for this locality at that time. In the year 1795, Bro. Stodder was awarded the contract to build the frigate Constellation, which was built in his naval yards located on Harris Creek at Fells Point. She was launched on September 7, 1797, and sailed out of the Patapsco River commanded by Commodore Truxton. She was rated as a Thirty Six Gun Frigate with 340 men, (many of which were members of the Fraternity) and a tonnage of 1,265 tons.
During this period, 1787 - 1788, while Washington Lodge was obtaining recognition and its new number, it was having another experience within the Lodge itself. Several of the members did not approve of the formation of a Maryland Grand Body - perhaps because the majority of Lodges being on the Eastern Shore gave them a preponderance of power. For this, or some equally logical reason, they requested and received a dispensation, dated May 1, 1787, to hold a Branch of No. 15 in the Town of Baltimore or its vicinity. These Brethren thus separated themselves from the old Lodge and began a sequence of history which culminated in a Lodge known as Baltimore Union No.21 under the jurisdiction of Virginia.
The old warrant from Pennsylvania was deposited with our Grand Lodge on April 20, 1790, because at this Communication, William Jacob, Master; Alexander Cummins, Senior Warden; and Philip Dorsey, Junior Warden; of No. 3 appeared, and there seems to be no other reason for being personally represented than for the return of so valuable a document; also, in the proceedings of this meeting appeared the names of 26 members “who have paid their Lodge dues and proportion for warrant.”
The institution of new Lodges throughout Maryland was constant during this period, and it seems proper to interject notes of interest when they bear on members of our own Lodge, and of interest also the methods used to spread Masonic knowledge through the experience of the proficient ones. We find in the proceedings of the Grand Lodge on September 18, 1792, "Jesse Green, a visiting Brother from No. 3." At this same meeting, a Warrant was issued to Lodge No. 10 in Sussex County, State of Delaware, in which Brother Green is named Worshipful Master. In a dispensation granted by Grand Master Lethrbury for the City of Annapolis in December, 1792, Brother David Geddes is named as Senior Warden. This Brother is later recorded as Master of Washington No. 3 in 1802.
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- 1793
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A petition for a Warrant to hold a Lodge in the Town of Baltimore is dated January 16, 1793. It asks that the title "Concordia Lodge” be granted and is accompanied by a recommendation signed by the Master, Wardens, Past Masters, and other members of Washington Lodge No. 3. The Petitioners were several members of the before-mentioned Baltimore Union Lodge No. 21, who, seeing our own Grand Lodge firmly established, now desired to come under its jurisdiction. This Warrant was granted, and our Sister Lodge has had a continued existence and remarkable growth. During this year the Grand Communication was moved to Baltimore, and have been held in this city until the Grand Lodge moved to its present location in Cockeysville in 1994.
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- 1799
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There has been discussion at various times as to when No. 3 attached the name of our Illustrious Brother and first President, Washington. Evidence recently discovered plainly shows that we were known as Washington Lodge No. 3 on September 12, 1794. The death of George Washington occurred on December 14, 1799, but the intelligence of it did not arrive in this city until the 17th, whereupon it was resolved by the members of the Craft to pay him appropriate honor. Accordingly a solemn procession was formed at Washington Lodge Room, Fells Point, on Sunday, December 22nd, at 10:30 A.M. The Grand Lodge was represented, as well as other Sister Lodges, and so to the Masons of Baltimore falls the honor of being the first to respect the Masonic skill and wisdom of our departed Brother.
The meeting place of the Lodge was moved at various times to rooms or halls in this old section of Baltimore. However, in a Special Communication of the Grand Lodge, January 13, 1823, Brother William H. Winder, Right Worshipful Grand Master presiding, the following resolution was adopted: "That Washington Lodge No. 3 which now holds its meetings at Fells Point be permitted hereafter to hold its meetings in the Masonic Hall." Records show that we continued to meet in the Masonic Hall until about 1834, which is the last recorded date of our official representation in the Grand Lodge during this era.
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- 1815
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The early 1800’s found the Lodge participating in three events, two of which are of national importance. The first was in a procession accompanying the Grand Lodge and Sister Lodges to the plot of ground given to the City by John Eager Howard, and now known as Mt. Vernon Place. Here, on July 4, 1815, the corner stone was laid of the first monument erected in honor of George Washington. James Buchanan, President of the United States, delivered the address.
The dedication of St. Paul's Church on Charles Street followed on November 29th, 1822; and the new Masonic Temple was erected next to it in 1866 - 1867.
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- 1828
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Again in 1828, we joined other Lodges as part of a city-wide celebration. After a parade of bands, floats, the military and other fraternal groups, the corner stone of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was laid in Carroll’s Field. Present on this occasion was Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the only living signer of the Declaration of Independence.
It is necessary to here digress - for a moment we must note an occurrence which, while insignificant at the time, was the cause of much distress to the Craft. It only demonstrates again how far-reaching can be the actions of individuals. This was the incident - now called the Morgan affair - which took place in Batavia, New York in 1826. Purely local in character, the principals involved were Freemasons, and as a consequence the Fraternity was condemned by its enemies. As the teachings of Freemasonry invited clear-thinking men to see entrance, and created many friends, so too, the self-same teachings created prejudice biased in ill-judging bigots. As its popularity increased, the ratio of enmity was increased, and seizing on the subject incident and using it with shrewd cunning these enemies attacked the Fraternity with many false and base accusations. Realizing that the Statesmen of America had always been Masons, they even campaigned to the result of an anti-Mason political party which held its convention in Baltimore in 1831, and nominated a Presidential Candidate. The growth of this movement was due to the political and social conditions of the times rather than to the Morgan episode, which was but the torch to the gunpowder train - nevertheless, the glaring publicity was so contrary to the quiet dignity of Freemasonry that the members felt it better to “agree with thine adversary” and await the conqueror - Truth. Many Lodges yielded to the pressure but upon the decline of the fury again resumed labor.
Washington Lodge succumbed and but for the interest of one man might have been lost. He was Past Master Brewer, who we find in attendance at the Grand Lodge Communications of 1835 - 1836 - 1837 and our own minute books show his dues recorded until November, 1835.
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- 1823-1835
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Anti-Masonic popular opinion leads to Washington Lodge ceasing meetings.
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- 1844
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At the Grand Lodge Communication in 1844, Brother Charles H. Ohr introduced a resolution which was adopted - that the warrants and jewels of dormant Lodges be returned without cost to those that desired to resume labor. Enough members of our old Lodge did so desire and accordingly on October 17, 1844, elected Bros. Charles H. Ohr, Worshipful Master; S. C. Leaken, Senior Warden; and Daniel A. Piper, Junior Warden; and in consequence were returned their Charter, Name and Number, thus being reconstituted Maryland's Oldest Lodge, Numbers 1 and 2 ceasing to exist in 1793 and 1794, respectively.
Brother Ohr, was elected Junior Grand Warden on May 22 of 1845 and resigned the Chair in No. 3. Before this, at a Special Meeting on February 13th, he had proposed a Memorial Communication of this Lodge on Washington's Birthday. This met with wide approval, and a meeting was held, attended by Most Worshipful Grand Master Charles Gilman, other officers of the Grand Lodge, and visitors from several Sister Lodges. To this large and attentive audience, Bro. Asa Child of No. 3, delivered an address on the “Origin, Nature and Object of the Masonic Society.” Since this time the Lodge has held some characteristic celebration each year on the appropriate date or at the Communication nearest that date.
After the resuscitation of 1845 the Fraternity regained its popularity and increased in size. There followed the formation of many new Lodges, and the consequent growth of the Grand Body, which in turn assumed the natural lead in all public functions.
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- 1866
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The most important procession in which No. 3 participated after this date was the laying of the cornerstone of the New Masonic Temple - November 20, 1866. The celebrated occasion was attended by Brother Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, in full Masonic regalia and many representatives of coordinate Masonic Bodies throughout the Nation.
In addition to the misfortunes of the Fraternity during the anti-Mason excitement, it has suffered two disastrous fires which destroyed many valuable documents containing the very early history of individual Lodges.
Three partly burned books of No. 3 were recovered from the debris after the Temple fire in 1890, a ledger dating from 1817 to 1835, and the minute books from October, 1844 to March 17, 1864. For other information, it was necessary to search Grand Lodge records, and through the courtesy of Brother J. Willis Smith, Secretary of Concordia Lodge No. 13, their records have been opened to us. To this Brother we are also indebted for a most valuable paper which he found in the vault of the Grand Lodge of Virginia. It is a copy of our original warrant, and on the reverse side, the dispensation for Branch of No. 15 is seen. It contains the signatures of several of our Past Masters and their offices in Royal Arch Masonry and is introduced in the pages of the by-laws of old Lodge No. 15
The Governors of the 13 Original Colonies were Masons, and the precepts written into our Constitution can be traced to the virtues inculcated by the Craft. The War of 1812-1815 found many of the Craftsman foremost in the defense of the country. Many of them were active in the battles of North Point, Fort McHenry and Bladensburg and saved Baltimore from the ravishment which was visited on Washington.
The war between the States caused Brother to fight Brother and in the awful aftermath and reconstruction period, this Lodge, along with others , was called on time and time again to relieve the distressed.
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- 1912-1937
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World War I, and the following period was one of growth in all Lodges. No. 3 gained many new members.
In 1920, the Sesqui-Centennial Celebration was held with very appropriate Ceremonies. Several of the Committee members who planned that occasion were active at the writing of the sketch for the 175th Anniversary Celebration.
The Lodge had a period of normal activity until the Depression Era of 1930 to 1936 when, with it's Sister Bodies, its economic Scheme was disorganized. A gradual recovery was begun in 1937.
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- 1937
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The newly elected Worshipful Master, Michael Struck, instituted a Memorial Service for those who had been called from labor to rest in the previous year. The Ceremony was so inspiring and impressive that in 1941, a permanent form of Memorial Service was drafted and has been continued through the years.
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- 1939
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At a Special Communication in celebration of George Washington’s Birthday, the Grand Lodge of Maryland conferred the Master Mason Degree with M\W\G\M\ John Hesse occupying the East.
By special request, Fredericksburg Lodge #4 of Fredericksburg, Virginia, attended the meeting, bringing with them, under the usual escort of four Past Masters, the same Bible that was used when George Washington assumed his three Masonic Obligations and during his tenure as Master of his Lodge. This Bible was again upon the Altar in Washington Lodge #3 on February 18, 1999.
To add to this eventful evening, an Honor Guard of Master Masons in military service stationed at Fort Holabird presented Old Glory to the East. The Flag was halted at the Altar while Major Bradford, who took part in the presentation and a member of Doric Lodge #124, proclaimed the toast - here’s to the red of it; here’s to the white of it; here’s to the blue of it; and so on. The Flag was then advanced to the East and placed in its place of honor to the right of the Worshipful Master. To the best of our knowledge, it was the first time such a ceremony had been performed in a Masonic Lodge. It was from this presentation that the idea of a Flag ceremony was conceived. In 1941 Worshipful Master Allen Kittrel incorporated the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of one verse of the National Anthem. The ceremony was brought to the attention of the Grand Lodge, which after modification, it was adopted in the opening of all Maryland Lodges.
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- 1943
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During the War, The Washington Gazette, a Lodge Newspaper was started and was published until 1948. It was the only Masonic Paper of its kind in Maryland. It was started again in 1999 by Worshipful Master Not Named of Washington Lodge No. 3. As of this date, it is still being published.
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- 1945
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The 150th Anniversary Dinner of Washington Lodge was held at the Lyric Theater in 1920 when more than 1000 persons were present. The 175th Anniversary Dinner was held at the Lord Baltimore Hotel on June 30, 1945. Wartime restrictions confined the attendance to 400 guests. It started with Religious Services at St. John’s Church on Huntington Avenue on St. John the Baptist Day, June 24, 1945. It was followed with a Special Communication on June 28, 1945 in the Grand Lodge Room, with M\W\G\M\ Daniel Hope and his Grand Line Officers, Past Grand Masters and heads of the Coordinate Bodies of Maryland Masonry in attendance. M\W\ Carl H. Clancy, Past Grand Master of the District of Columbia, and a noted Masonic author, was the principal speaker of the evening following the banquet at the Lord Baltimore Hotel. This was another dark period in the history of Masonry as it was at this time that the Papal Bull was so strictly enforced that many members of the Fraternity withdrew because of their religious affiliation.
There is no record of celebration of our 100th Anniversary in 1870 because of the loss of our Minute books.
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- 1947
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On February 6, 1947, Brother Past Master George C. Wareheim examined 23 members in the Sublime Degree of Master Mason.
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- 1957
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On September 5th, 1957 the Lodge contributed to the restoration fund of the U.S.S. Constellation. The contribution fund was in memory of W\Bro. David Stodder of Washington Lodge No. 3, who built the ship. That evening, Bro. Donald Stewart the Skipper of the Frigate at that time, presented Washington Lodge with a Flag that was flown on one of her many voyages.
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- 1976
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On April 17th, 1976 members of Washington Lodge No. 3 gathered together with other Masons in Easton, Maryland to rededicate Freemasonry in Maryland; on the 189th Anniversary of the founding of The Grand Lodge of Maryland.
In 1972, Washington Lodge #3 and Glebe Lodge #181 of Alexandria, Virginia, began meeting once a year with their ladies for dinner and entertainment. In 1976, at their annual dinner held at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia, Glebe Lodge presented Washington Lodge with a picture of the Memorial painted by one of their members. This painting now hangs on the wall between the Roman and Tuscan rooms in the Grand Lodge Building. These meetings were discontinued after 1981.
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- 1983
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Worshipful Master Spurgeon K Benjamin passed away while in office in 1983. In 1983, and again in 1987, Washington Lodge #3 traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with Naval Lodge. Washington Lodge was invited to participate in the Degree work, and did so with enthusiasm.
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- 1990
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In both 1990 and 1991, Washington Lodge joined with Alexandria - Washington Lodge #22, of Alexandria, Virginia, for day long celebrations of George Washington’s Birthday. Also during these years, Washington Lodge held joint meetings with Waverly Lodge #152 in Baltimore.
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- 1999
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Washington Lodge had several notable ‘firsts’ this year: the first was on February 10, 1999, when under Special Dispensation of M\W\G\M\Francis E. Larrimore, Washington Lodge #3 was opened on board the “Regal Princess” while traversing the Panama Canal. The three Principal Officers were
Not Named , W\Charles E. Winebrenner, Jr., Senior Warden, and W\Herbert F. Hull, Jr., of Pickering Lodge #146, Junior Warden. The remaining stations were filled by the twelve visitors in attendance.
Our George Washington Birthday Celebration held in Mt. Moriah’s beautiful Temple in Towson on February 18, 1999 was a tremendous success. The approximately 125 Masons in attendance enjoyed a delicious banquet prepared by W\Bro. Charles E. Winebrenner, Jr., Bro. Frederick G. Gross and crew. The Worshipful Master opened the Lodge using the George Washington Gavel, with the Fredericksburg Bible upon the Altar, together with our gold Square and Compasses. The presentations of the Bible upon which George Washington took his three Masonic Obligations by Fredericksburg Lodge #4, the Bible upon which George Washington received his Oath of Office by St. John’s Lodge #1, A.Y.M. of New York, the Gavel used by George Washington to lay the cornerstone of the Capitol by Potomac Lodge #5 of Washington, D.C. - and many other buildings in the course of history - and the Trowel used by George Washington in the same Masonic cornerstone ceremony by Alexandria - Washington Lodge #22 of Alexandria, Virginia were awesome!! The visitation by Washington Lodge #1, Wilmington, Delaware, is the start of fraternal relations between our Lodges. All in all, this was an unforgettable evening for all in attendance.
On Thursday evening, May 8, 1999 seventeen Officers and Members of Washington Lodge #3 traveled to Wilmington, Delaware, to participate in the Table Lodge conducted by Washington Lodge #1.
On June 19, 1999, three new Brothers were raised in the first Grand Master’s One Day Class: Bros. Michael E. Canapp, Matthew H. Aldrich and J. Andrew Cramer, III.
This year we restored the sterling silver Officers’ Jewels made for Washington Lodge #3 and presented in 1893.
At the Annual Communication of Grand Lodge held November 15, 1999, Washington Lodge was presented with a Certificate, attesting to having more than 10% of its members present at Harvest Home Day (24 Brethren signed the register that day), and a plaque, signifying our being awarded "The Grand Master’s Award with Distinction". This is a significant accomplishment, as we are one of six Lodges in Maryland to receive this high honor.
At our December meeting, Brother Charles B. McCormack was awarded the distinction of being and Honorary Lifetime Member of Washington Lodge No. 3, and W\ Bro. William H. Fisher received the Worshipful Master’s Award for his service to the Craft, his Church and Community.
With new members outnumbering deaths for the first time in many years, two men awaiting the Degrees and several Petitions pending, we look forward to entering the new Millennium with enthusiasm and renewed dedication to our beloved Craft.
- 2000
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In February, Bro. Frederick G. Gross, Jr., became the second recipient to receive the Worshipful Master’s Award for his service to the Craft, his Church and Community. Sadly, Bro. Gross passed away September 13, 2000.
On Saturday, February 19, 2000, we journeyed to Mt. Vernon, to attend the annual Wreath Laying Ceremony conducted by Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22. Following this most solemn of ceremonies, we drove to the home of the National Sojourners for a light repast, and then home. In 2001, we plan on participating in the Wreath Laying Ceremony.
On Thursday, May 4, 2000, 23 Maryland Masons journeyed to Washington Lodge No. 1, our ‘Sister Lodge’, for our annual visit. We enjoyed an excellent Table Lodge, with the traditional seven toasts, and an "extra" one for a special purpose. The commemorative "cannons" we took home were most appreciated, and one will grace our showcase.
International Freemasonry: Germany
On Monday, May 15, 2000, the Worshipful Master and Junior Deacon were privileged to pay a fraternal visit to der Freimaurerloge Zu den fünf Türmen am Salzquell im Or. Halle, in Halle, Germany (formerly East Germany). The name refers to the five spires on the local Church, by the salt well.
This venerable old Lodge was forced to go underground in 1934, courtesy of adolph hitler. The communists, also staunch anti-Masons, kept it from light until the two Germanys were reunited. This Lodge was resurrected in 1992, and is now on its way back.
The Entered Apprentice Degree we observed was done in full form by the Officers of the Lodge:
- Worshipful Master: W\ Bro. Gerhard Reuscher
- Senior Warden: Bro. Heinz Hoffmann
- Junior Warden: Bro. Helmut Heiser
- Preparing Brother, Reader: W\ Bro. Günther Pfanzl
- Initiated Apprentice: Bro. Theo Schöpfel
This was an evening to long remember, as it is also the addition of our Fraternal Relations with a Lodge in Germany. Our sincere gratitude to Bro. Gerry Kley for bringing this visit about!!
In June we started a new program. Washington Lodge No. 3 will now be the proud sponsor of the "Mason’s Care" Bear Program in our area. We collected donations to purchase forty bears, which will be distributed to area ambulance and police stations, to be distributed to traumatized kids. Our thanks to Bros. George Benson and Earl Canapp for being our leaders in this endeavor.
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- June 28th, 2000
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WOW!!! What a Birthday Party!!!!! Washington Lodge No. 3 celebrated its 230th birthday in an outstanding manner on board the USS Constellation (Battleship) in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. The historical significance was written by our Historian, Bro. Charles Duerbeck. It was read in Lodge by W\ Bro. Teddy R. Barkley, Jr. (Please check your new Bylaws, the complete Lodge history is included.) The 80 plus Masons in attendance witnessed Washington Lodge receive the following honors and gifts:
- A coin struck from the brass, a piece of wood and two nails from the hull and keel of the USF Constellation, from Bro. William Ferguson, whose father, George, was Master in 1914.
- A Baltimore County Flag and a Proclamation making June 24, 2000 Washington Lodge Week in Baltimore County, from Bro. C.A. Dutch Ruppersburger, County Executive.
- A Proclamation making June 28, 2000, Washington Lodge No. 3 day in Maryland, from Gov. Parris Glendening.
- A 34 star flag, flown over the USS Constellation during our meeting by W\ Bro. A. Lawrence Bopp, PGI, on June 28, 2000.
- A 50 star Flag flown over the USS Constellation (CV-64) and a Proclamation making June 28, 2000 Washington Lodge Day on this ship.
- A Certificate of Recognition from Bro. and former Gov. William Donald Schaefer.
- A Proclamation from Mayor Martin O’Malley, making June 26, 2000 to July 2, 2000, Washington Lodge Week in Baltimore.
- A Gavel constructed of wood from the Liberty Tree, formerly located on the St. John’s College Campus in Annapolis and turned by Bro. Charles B. McCormick.
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- August 20, 2000
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On August 22, 2000, Washington Lodge No. 3 sponsored a Cruise to Alaska, with a Special Communication held on the ship. We flew from Baltimore-Washington International Airport to San Francisco, California; where boarded the Sky Princess. This outstanding ship was our home for the 12 days of the cruise. Washington Lodge, under Special Dispensation, opened a Special Communication off the coast of Alaska. This communication was very well received by all in attendance, one of whom commented that of "sixteen cruises, this was the first one that opened a Masonic Communication aboard ship".
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- November 20, 2000
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At the Annual Communication of Grand Lodge held November 20, 2000, Washington Lodge was presented with a Certificate, attesting to having more than 14% of its members present at Harvest Home Day (27 Brethren signed the register that day), and a plaque, signifying our being awarded "The Grand Master’s Award With Distinction" for the second year in a row. This is a significant accomplishment, as we are one of eight Lodges in Maryland to receive this high honor this year.
In 2000, we lost four Brothers to the Grim Reaper, were unable to locate three others, and received nine into membership, for an increase of two. We are still increasing in number, if only by a small margin.
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