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Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com www.TheCatoctinBanner.com The Catoctin Banner Newspaper July 2015 Page 19
The Mystery of the Masons and Their History Courtesy Photo
James Rada, Jr.
Freemasonry conjures up images of Frederick County between 1871 and looking into buying the
a secret society with hidden rituals and, 1906. Bussard Building (where the
thanks to the movie National Treasure, Thirteen Masons in the area lodge is currently located
hidden treasure. Yet, the Masons formed the lodge in Mechanicstown, at 12 E. Main Street) and
are far from secret. They are men with Robert Lyon as the first adding a third floor to it.
who work hard to find brotherhood, Worshipful Master (lodge president). “The lodge bought the
enlightenment, and truth. The new lodge’s first meeting was building in 1898 and added
When John Hagemann first came held on May 22, 1871, in a room on the third floor to it for our
to Thurmont in 2006 and joined the third floor of the John Rouzer lodge hall,” Hagemann said.
the Acacia Lodge No. 155 of the apartment house, opposite the The Masons also made Members of Acacia Lodge #155 in Thurmont are shown
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Lutheran Church on Church Street. repairs to the first and dedicating the cornerstone of the Thurmont Regional Library.
another Mason pointed to a long Besides choosing officers, it was second floors of the building
row of 8x10 photographs hung on decided to name the lodge the Acacia and began renting out the space. the Grand Master of this lodge at the
the wall of the Masons’ lodge social Lodge. Over the years, the first two floors present time, a Past Master, a Grand
hall in Thurmont. They were the Not all of the charter members have been a livery, doctor’s office, Inspector for the Grand Lodge of
Worshipful Masters (lodge presidents) of the Acacia Lodge came from the post office, grocery store, drug store, Maryland, Sir Knight in the Knights
of the Acacia Lodge, and Hagemann Columbia Lodge. Others came from beauty parlor, and more. Templar, and Noble in the Scottish
recognized many of the last names lodges in Baltimore, Westminster, and When the lodge celebrated its first Rite Shriners. The Emmitsburg Lodge
as members of long-time Thurmont Union Bridge. fifty years at the Thurmont Town Hall was formed and met above Annans
families. Even before the Acacia Lodge on November 29, 1921, only three of Store, later moved and merged with
“I was told that if I worked hard, received its charter and was officially the original members were still living: Acacia in Thurmont before being re-
one day my picture could be up there, recognized, it had begun to grow as George Stocksdale, Leonard Waesche, charted in 1906, they met after that
and it is,” Hagemann said. He is the two new members were added. and David Martin. above the Vigilant Hose Fire Co., then
current Worshipful Master of the The Acacia Lodge was examined World War II saw a surge in met in Taneytown until buying their
Acacia Lodge #155 in Thurmont. by other Maryland Masons in attendance at lodge meetings, mainly present location. Many prominent
The Masons came to Maryland October 1871 to see if its membership because of servicemen stationed at Emmitsburg Leaders and businessmen
in 1750, not in Baltimore, which was proficient enough to support their nearby Camp Ritchie who came founded Tyrian Lodge in Emmitsburg.
was the largest population center own lodge and on November 21, to the Acacia Lodge. The Acacia The Masons are involved in many
at the time, but in Leonardtown. 1871, the Acacia Lodge was granted Lodge conferred Masonic degrees civic activities and participate in
They weren’t established in what its charter. “They first rented the on servicemen on behalf of other parades and building dedications. They
is now Frederick County until just International Order of Odd Fellows lodges through the Masonic Service can be identified in full regalia that
before the Revolutionary War. Not hall to meet in,” Hagemann said. Association. includes tuxedos, top hats, and aprons.
much is known of the early lodges The Acacia Lodge continued “At the end of World War II, we The local Masons dedicated the
in the county. The largest lodge was to grow between 1872 and 1876; had 156 members, which is the largest cornerstone of the Thurmont Library
called Hiram Lodge, and there was however, for the next two years, many we’ve ever been,” Hagemann said. Of and have contributed money to many
a lodge that served the army during of the members found themselves that number, 84 were veterans. local efforts, such as purchasing a new
the War of Independence. Those two working away from Mechanicstown. In 1959, the U.S. Post Office flag pole for the town and paying for
lodges, along with other small lodges, “Membership dwindled and the moved out of the first floor of the the memorial stone for servicemen in
combined to form the Columbia Maryland Grand Lodge actually took lodge building and into a stand-alone Memorial Park.
Lodge in 1815. back our charter, but the members still building that the Masons had built. “We also have an annual $1,000
“The Masons met in a home at the continued to pay dues,” Hagemann However, a new tenant was found to scholarship that we award to a
corner of Market and Second Street,” said. fill the vacant first floor of the lodge senior in the Catoctin High district,”
said Kenneth Wyvill, Grand Master of The charter was revoked in 1879, building. Hagemann said.
the Maryland Masons. This combined but the local Masons still paid dues The last tenant for the second floor Hundreds of Maryland Masons
lodge was enough to meet the needs and worked to establish stability of the lodge left in 1960. The space will be participating in a parade
of the county Masons for sixty-six to their lodge. They applied for remained vacant until 1962, when in Baltimore in full regalia for the
years. “As population centers grew restoration of their charter in 1887 it was decided to use the floor as the re-dedication of the Washington
and shifted, Masons would decide to and it was granted on December 19. lodge’s social hall, and it continues to Monument on July 4. The Masons
form new lodges,” said Wyvill. One of the things that the members be used for that purpose today. laid the cornerstone for the original
The first lodge to break off from decided would help their stability Though generally believed to be monument in 1815, and re-laid the
the Columbia Lodge in Frederick was to own their building rather than a Christian group, Masons include stone in 1915.
was Acacia Lodge No. 155 of continue to rent space. Beginning in many faiths. Each lodge has a book of “We’ll be using the implements
Mechanicstown (now Thurmont). 1894, the Masons under Worshipful faith on its central altar. The Acacia from the time period of 1915 to
In all, six new lodges formed in Master Leonard Waesche began Lodge uses a Bible, but other lodges rededicate the cornerstone,” Wyvill
Photo by Deb Spalding can include a book of faith for the said.
predominant religion of the lodge. “It Young people who are interested
doesn’t matter what religion you are, in becoming a Mason may join as
you just have to believe in a higher members DeMolay for young men
power,” Hagemann said or JOBS Daughters for young ladies.
The Acacia Lodge in Thurmont Women join the Order of the Eastern
currently has 77 members, although Star. Ernie Gelwicks added, “The
Hagemann notes that like many civic Knights Templar is another branch
and volunteer organizations, the which many Master Masons also join,
average age among members seems as is the Scottish Rite Shriners, which
to be rising as fewer young people are responsible for Shriners Hospital
become involved with organizations. fame and support this worthy cause.”
The Acacia Lodge is one of 102 For more information in our area’s
Maryland lodges and 15,000 Masons. Masonic membership, please call John
Emmitsburg also has a lodge, Hagemann at 301-271-2711 or Ernie
Thurmont Acacia Lodge No. 155 members and Maryland’s Grand Master, Kenneth Wyvill (third from Tyrian Lodge #205. Ernie Gelwicks is Gelwicks at 301-447-2923.
right), are pictured with a scholarship recipient, Lydia Spalding, in June.
The Mystery of the Masons and Their History Courtesy Photo
James Rada, Jr.
Freemasonry conjures up images of Frederick County between 1871 and looking into buying the
a secret society with hidden rituals and, 1906. Bussard Building (where the
thanks to the movie National Treasure, Thirteen Masons in the area lodge is currently located
hidden treasure. Yet, the Masons formed the lodge in Mechanicstown, at 12 E. Main Street) and
are far from secret. They are men with Robert Lyon as the first adding a third floor to it.
who work hard to find brotherhood, Worshipful Master (lodge president). “The lodge bought the
enlightenment, and truth. The new lodge’s first meeting was building in 1898 and added
When John Hagemann first came held on May 22, 1871, in a room on the third floor to it for our
to Thurmont in 2006 and joined the third floor of the John Rouzer lodge hall,” Hagemann said.
the Acacia Lodge No. 155 of the apartment house, opposite the The Masons also made Members of Acacia Lodge #155 in Thurmont are shown
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Lutheran Church on Church Street. repairs to the first and dedicating the cornerstone of the Thurmont Regional Library.
another Mason pointed to a long Besides choosing officers, it was second floors of the building
row of 8x10 photographs hung on decided to name the lodge the Acacia and began renting out the space. the Grand Master of this lodge at the
the wall of the Masons’ lodge social Lodge. Over the years, the first two floors present time, a Past Master, a Grand
hall in Thurmont. They were the Not all of the charter members have been a livery, doctor’s office, Inspector for the Grand Lodge of
Worshipful Masters (lodge presidents) of the Acacia Lodge came from the post office, grocery store, drug store, Maryland, Sir Knight in the Knights
of the Acacia Lodge, and Hagemann Columbia Lodge. Others came from beauty parlor, and more. Templar, and Noble in the Scottish
recognized many of the last names lodges in Baltimore, Westminster, and When the lodge celebrated its first Rite Shriners. The Emmitsburg Lodge
as members of long-time Thurmont Union Bridge. fifty years at the Thurmont Town Hall was formed and met above Annans
families. Even before the Acacia Lodge on November 29, 1921, only three of Store, later moved and merged with
“I was told that if I worked hard, received its charter and was officially the original members were still living: Acacia in Thurmont before being re-
one day my picture could be up there, recognized, it had begun to grow as George Stocksdale, Leonard Waesche, charted in 1906, they met after that
and it is,” Hagemann said. He is the two new members were added. and David Martin. above the Vigilant Hose Fire Co., then
current Worshipful Master of the The Acacia Lodge was examined World War II saw a surge in met in Taneytown until buying their
Acacia Lodge #155 in Thurmont. by other Maryland Masons in attendance at lodge meetings, mainly present location. Many prominent
The Masons came to Maryland October 1871 to see if its membership because of servicemen stationed at Emmitsburg Leaders and businessmen
in 1750, not in Baltimore, which was proficient enough to support their nearby Camp Ritchie who came founded Tyrian Lodge in Emmitsburg.
was the largest population center own lodge and on November 21, to the Acacia Lodge. The Acacia The Masons are involved in many
at the time, but in Leonardtown. 1871, the Acacia Lodge was granted Lodge conferred Masonic degrees civic activities and participate in
They weren’t established in what its charter. “They first rented the on servicemen on behalf of other parades and building dedications. They
is now Frederick County until just International Order of Odd Fellows lodges through the Masonic Service can be identified in full regalia that
before the Revolutionary War. Not hall to meet in,” Hagemann said. Association. includes tuxedos, top hats, and aprons.
much is known of the early lodges The Acacia Lodge continued “At the end of World War II, we The local Masons dedicated the
in the county. The largest lodge was to grow between 1872 and 1876; had 156 members, which is the largest cornerstone of the Thurmont Library
called Hiram Lodge, and there was however, for the next two years, many we’ve ever been,” Hagemann said. Of and have contributed money to many
a lodge that served the army during of the members found themselves that number, 84 were veterans. local efforts, such as purchasing a new
the War of Independence. Those two working away from Mechanicstown. In 1959, the U.S. Post Office flag pole for the town and paying for
lodges, along with other small lodges, “Membership dwindled and the moved out of the first floor of the the memorial stone for servicemen in
combined to form the Columbia Maryland Grand Lodge actually took lodge building and into a stand-alone Memorial Park.
Lodge in 1815. back our charter, but the members still building that the Masons had built. “We also have an annual $1,000
“The Masons met in a home at the continued to pay dues,” Hagemann However, a new tenant was found to scholarship that we award to a
corner of Market and Second Street,” said. fill the vacant first floor of the lodge senior in the Catoctin High district,”
said Kenneth Wyvill, Grand Master of The charter was revoked in 1879, building. Hagemann said.
the Maryland Masons. This combined but the local Masons still paid dues The last tenant for the second floor Hundreds of Maryland Masons
lodge was enough to meet the needs and worked to establish stability of the lodge left in 1960. The space will be participating in a parade
of the county Masons for sixty-six to their lodge. They applied for remained vacant until 1962, when in Baltimore in full regalia for the
years. “As population centers grew restoration of their charter in 1887 it was decided to use the floor as the re-dedication of the Washington
and shifted, Masons would decide to and it was granted on December 19. lodge’s social hall, and it continues to Monument on July 4. The Masons
form new lodges,” said Wyvill. One of the things that the members be used for that purpose today. laid the cornerstone for the original
The first lodge to break off from decided would help their stability Though generally believed to be monument in 1815, and re-laid the
the Columbia Lodge in Frederick was to own their building rather than a Christian group, Masons include stone in 1915.
was Acacia Lodge No. 155 of continue to rent space. Beginning in many faiths. Each lodge has a book of “We’ll be using the implements
Mechanicstown (now Thurmont). 1894, the Masons under Worshipful faith on its central altar. The Acacia from the time period of 1915 to
In all, six new lodges formed in Master Leonard Waesche began Lodge uses a Bible, but other lodges rededicate the cornerstone,” Wyvill
Photo by Deb Spalding can include a book of faith for the said.
predominant religion of the lodge. “It Young people who are interested
doesn’t matter what religion you are, in becoming a Mason may join as
you just have to believe in a higher members DeMolay for young men
power,” Hagemann said or JOBS Daughters for young ladies.
The Acacia Lodge in Thurmont Women join the Order of the Eastern
currently has 77 members, although Star. Ernie Gelwicks added, “The
Hagemann notes that like many civic Knights Templar is another branch
and volunteer organizations, the which many Master Masons also join,
average age among members seems as is the Scottish Rite Shriners, which
to be rising as fewer young people are responsible for Shriners Hospital
become involved with organizations. fame and support this worthy cause.”
The Acacia Lodge is one of 102 For more information in our area’s
Maryland lodges and 15,000 Masons. Masonic membership, please call John
Emmitsburg also has a lodge, Hagemann at 301-271-2711 or Ernie
Thurmont Acacia Lodge No. 155 members and Maryland’s Grand Master, Kenneth Wyvill (third from Tyrian Lodge #205. Ernie Gelwicks is Gelwicks at 301-447-2923.
right), are pictured with a scholarship recipient, Lydia Spalding, in June.
