eye2000e.jpg (19997 bytes) A brief History
of
Linwood Lodge #567

By Michael Ark Retherford - Past Master (1994)

     Linwood lodge has been in its present location since 1909, just a few blocks away from its beginnings. In 1892 a group of masons gathered wanting to start up a Masonic Lodge, after several meetings in the Town Hall, the building which was the Church of Our Lady of Lorretto on the corner of Eastern and Heekin Avenues. It was there the petition for dispensation to begin organizing.

     Doctor A.M. Countryman, a Past Master from Yeatman Lodge #162, was asked for his help in securing consent from the several Lodges that held jurisdiction in the Linwood area. (lodges in this era had geographical areas of jurisdiction, you could only petition a lodge in the area in which you lived.)

     After securing the consent the Grand Master of Masons at the time, Most Worshipful Brother Levi C. Goodale, himself a resident of Linwood, granted the lodge a dispensation on June 19, 1892.

     The third floor of the firehouse on Heekin Avenue became our first meeting place. The room was fitted with the lodge furniture, most of that is still being used to this day!

     Our lodge was instituted under Dispensation June 30, 1892. Linwood Lodge received its’ charter at the annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Ohio on October 19, 1892, in Springfield, Ohio. This was also the same day the cornerstone of the Ohio Masonic Home was laid.

     The first annual meeting was held on Thanksgiving Day 1892.
Dr. Countryman was elected as the first Worshipful Master.

Seventeen years later Linwood Lodge moved into the building in which it still meets. The building on the corner of Linwood and Eastern Avenues was built by the lodge in 1908-9.

Balcony view of our Lodge room as it is TODAY.

     The cornerstone was laid October 23, 1909, with the Grand Master, B.F. Perry presiding. The Lodge room was dedicated on July 2, 1910. The first meeting in the new building was a few weeks earlier on June 18, 1910.

     Linwood Lodge continues to promote the principles of Freemasonry started over One Hundred Years ago.  Our Lodge is a very active lodge, participating in district events, and joining with other lodges in different activities.

     Friendship and Fellowship… two words constantly associated with the Masonic Fraternity, and especially LINWOOD LODGE.  Our Lodge has a reputation for friendliness.  We enjoy having Brethren from other Lodges visit us, and we try to make all our visitors feel at home.  A tradition that has been passed on to us from all those who came before. That enthusiasm still runs deep in our lodge, and is the root of our continued success.

For information on how to become a Freemason email the secretary.  HERE!
Or call the Grand Lodge of Ohio at   (614) 885-5318.  Tell them you saw this website and want to know more!

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