HISTORY-ST. MARK’S LODGE NO. 1001 F. & A.M.
ST. MARK'S LODGE NO. 1001, F. & A.M.
PAST MASTERS OF ST. MARK’S LODGE NO. 1001
1922 - 1977
HISTORY OF PHILETUS LODGE NO. 1023, F. & A.M.
DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTER 2
PAST MASTERS OF PHILETUS LODGE NO. 1023
1923-1977
HISTORY OF ST. MARK'S-PHILETUS LODGE NO. 1001, F. & A.M.
1978 to PRESENT (1994 to be updated)
DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTER 3
DeWitt Clinton Awards for Community Service
MASTERS OF ST. MARK’S - PHILETUS LODGE NO. 1001
AFTER CONSOLIDATION 1978 T0 PRESENT (1994 to be updated)
Grand Master’s Day at the Kalurah Shrine Center, 2003
INTRODUCTION (top)
Believing that a city the size of Binghamton should have three Masonic Lodges, amovement has been started by Miles Smith, Frank Goodnough and Edward Merrill to establish a new Lodge in Binghamton.
With this idea formulating in the minds of the three men above, and with interest shown by other Masons, Grand Lodge of New York was petitioned for the institution of St.Mark’s Lodge No. 1001, F. & A.M.
The first meeting of the new Lodge was held on December 30, 1921, at 83 State Street, Binghamton, New York which resulted in an organizational meeting, and then on January 7, 1922, the first communication of St. Mark’s Lodge No. 1001 was held under dispensation from Grand Lodge. Under this dispensation, St. Mark’s Lodge entered into a busy schedule of degree conferrals, then ten Brother Masons were raised from January until April 15, 1922. Work in the Lodge was suspended from April 15 until May 20, 1922 when it received its Charter from Grand Lodge with Charter Members totaling 64.
These Charter Members consisted of 16 Brothers from Binghamton Lodge No. 177, 23 from Otseningo Lodge No. 435, two from Eastern Light Lodge No. 126, Greene, New York, and one each from New Hope Lodge No. 730, Schenectady, New York, Deposit Lodge No. 369, Apollo Lodge No. 13, Troy, New York, Humanity Lodge No. 406, Lyons, New York, Mountain Lodge No. 214, Upper Montclair, New Jersey, Oneonta Lodge No.466, Oneonta, New York, Sidney Lodge No. 801, Sidney, New York, Artisan Lodge No. 80, Amsterdam, New York, Central City Lodge No. 305, Syracuse, New York, Sullivan Lodge No. 148, Chittenango, New York, Afton Lodge No. 360, Afton, New York, Phoebus Lodge No.82, New Berlin, New York,Olean Lodge no. 252, Olean, New York, Freedom Lodge No. 324, Unadilla, New York, Western Light Lodge No. 597, Lisle, New York, Hancock Lodge No.552, Hancock, New York, Jesse L. Cooley Lodge No. 996, Elmira, New York, Rochester Lodge No. 660, Rochester, New York, Nipperhan Lodge No. 736, Yonkers, New York, Mongamp Lodge No. 816, Liberty, New York, Tipton Lodge No.33, Logansport, Indiana, Northern Constellation Lodge No. 291, Malone, New York, Sincerity Lodge No. 200, Phelps, New York, Homer Lodge No. 352, Homer, New York, Painted Post Lodge No. 117, Corning, New York, Batavia Lodge No. 475, Batavia, New York, Ivanhoe Lodge No. 610, New York City and Grecian Lodge, Lawrence, Massachhussetts.
After receiving the Charter, work was resumed, and 24 more candidates were raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. In addition to these new Brothers, five became members by affiliation.
TRULY THIS WAS AN AUSPICIOUS START (top)
At the beginning, the regular meeting nights were the first and third Saturdays at 7:30 PM. On October 6, 1923, at a regular and summoned communication, consideration was given to moving from 83 State Street, to the newly erected Masonic Temple , 66 Main Street. At the same time, the meeting nights were changed to the first and third Thursdays, in order to accommodate the desires of the Brethren.
During the early years of existence, St.Mark’s assumed its share of building the Masonic Temple, and was able to grow in stature in the Fraternity. Many of our Brothers surely sacrificed time and talent to assure its growth.
St. Mark’s had several noteworthy events in its history before consolidation:
September 27, 1946. W.·. Leonard E. Westfall, and his Officers exemplified the
First Degree at the George Washington Memorial, Alexandria, Virginia
November 27, 1966, W.·. Enos A. Faber, Master, sat in the East at the newly
constructed Lodge Rooms at the Masonic Home, Utica, New York, and conferred
the Second Degree on two Entered Apprentices. The chairs were filled by
Masters from the Broome=Chenango District.
St. Mark’s has received honors in the appointments by the Grand Masters:
DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTERS (top)
R.·. W.·. Miles M. Smith 1923-1924
R.·. W.·. Glenn M. Gager 1931-1832
R.·. W.·. A. Taylor Lord 1949-1950
R.·. W.·. Conrad H. Lasher 1959-1960
R.·. W.·. Jerome W. Cornell 1969-1970
GRAND LODGE STAFF OFFICERS (top)
R.·.W.·. Francis V.V. Leary Grand Sword Bearer 1934
R.·.W.·. John C. Bush Grand Director of Ceremonies 1943
ASSISTANT GRAND LECTURER (top)
R.·.W.·.Francis V. V. Leary Assistant Grand Lecturer 1932
GRAND REPRESENTATIVES (top)
R.·. W.·.George C. Vogt South Australia 1963
DEDICATED SERVICE AWARDEES (top)
W.·. Enos A. Faber 1975
Bro. Leon Lyons 1976
St.Mark’s should also be proud that one of its members, Brother Lynn M. Hakes, received his three degrees in one night during the war year 1918 in his former Lodge.
Another distinction worthy of note is that St. Mark’s received Dispensation from Grand Lodge to confer the three degrees on Carl D. Vicks, who is deaf, and was therefore not blindfolded. W.·. Edgar C. Steinbaugh, Master in 1953, was in the East for the conferral of the Entered Apprentice Degree, with the chairs filled by Past Masters of St. Mark’s Lodge.
The inspiration of W.·. Enos A. Faber, our Lodge began a joint fellowship dinner with the Johnson City Council No. 2953, Knights of Columbus in October of 1967. The tradition, known as the Mason-Knight Dinner, has continued to the present day, and is hosted alternating each year.
In 1972, the Lodge celebrated its 50th Anniversary by having a three -day program. On May 18, 1972, the Past Masters conferred the Entered Apprentice degree on a class of candidates. On May 19th, a ladies night Dinner was held with the IBM Glee Club as entertainment, and R.·. W.·. Edwin C. Schumacher, Grand Chaplain, as guest speaker. On May 20th, the anniversary banquet was held in the Temple Ballroom with R.·. W.·. Emmanual Dick, Past District Deputy Grand Master of the 6th Manhattan District, as our guest speaker.
Dual Member, Roy A. Mosteller, was Master of Upper Lisle Lodge No. 388 in 1977, and was also presented the Dedicated Service Award by that Lodge.
In 1977, negotiations and required procedures began to merge Philetus Lodge No. 1023 with St. Mark’s Lodge No. 1001, culminating on July 1, 1978 with a new charter for St. Mark’s-Philetus Lodge No. 1001.
PAST MASTERS OF ST. MARK’S LODGE NO. 1001
1922 - 1977 (top)
1922 Miles Smith * 1950 Donald P.Roehm *
1923 Samuel J. Bailey* 1951 Lee H. Moffitt *
1924 Joseph F. Roe * 1952 W. Gould Taylor *
1925 John C. Bush 1953 Edgar C. Steinbaugh *
1926 Merton E. Lewis 1954 Charles V. Beam *
1927 Glenn M. Gager 1955 Donald N. Reed
1928 Mack W. Terry * 1956 Lewis L. Walter *
1929 Francis V.V. Leary * 1957 Conrad H. Lasher *
1930 Edgar W. Cooper * 1958 Donald A. Tiffany
1931 George Denholm * 1959 Fred V. Barber
1932 Clarence L. Chamberlain * 1960 Jerome W. Cornell*
1933 A. Taylor Lord * 1961 Harold Griswold *
1934 Fred E. West * 1962 Sidney A. Greene*
1935 Fred J. Hollenbeck * 1963 Merrill Jones *
1936 George R. Beers * 1964 Charles B. McNair *
1937 Harvey J. Adams * 1965 Roger K. Donnelly *
1938 Charles E. Goss * 1966 Enos A. Faber *
1939 John D. Pratt 1967 Frank M. Chupp
1940 Edward W. Withers * 1968 Wilfred Perkins *
1941 Henry R. Graham * 1969 F. Hughes Neely *
1942 Elmer E. Davis * 1970 Charles J. Mackey
1943 John D. Bensley * 1971 Harry Shoop
1944 Albert B. Pierson * 1972 Homer Bolender *
1945 William H. Cargill * 1973 Clifford L. Utter
1946 Leonard E. Westfall * 1974 William B. Crawford *
1947 Harold E. Root * 1975 Robert H. Wheaton
1948 Kenneth T. Winsor * 1976 G. Bernard Freer
1949 Harry I. Knickerbocker * 1977 Walter F. Thompson *
HISTORY OF PHILETUS LODGE NO. 1023, F. & A.M. (top)
The history of Philetus Lodge No. 1023, F. & A. M. began early in 1922, when a petition was submitted to Grand Lodge with the aid of its Mother Lodge, Philo Lodge No. 968 of Syracuse, New York, to establish a fourth Masonic Lodge in the City of Binghamton.
On Wednesday, July 11, 1923, in the Masonic Temple at 83 State Street, Miles M. Smith, District Deputy Grand Master of the Broome-Chenango District, formally instituted the Lodge as Philetus Lodge U.D., F. & A. M. The Lodge remained Under Dispensation until 1924 when formal recognition of the name Philetus Lodge No. 1023, F. & A. M. was granted by Grand Lodge.
The first officers installed were those men who were instrumental in establishing the Lodge, and were the Charter Members of the Lodge.
These men were: Henry M.Kline, Master, David Cohen, Leon C. Blumberg, Herman Friedman, Louis L. Burros, Abe Abrams, Albert R. Sherman, Leo Rubin, Sidney L Blumberg, Bernard Chernin and James Stone.
Attending this important occasion were the following Grand Officers: Miles M. Smith, St.Mark’s Lodge No. 1001, Clarence W. Eldred, Afton Lodge No. 360, William A. Johnson, Binghamton Lodge No. 177, Charles Bayer, Binghamton Lodge No. 177,
Isadore Rothchild, Philo Lodge No. 968.
The following Masters and Past Masters were also in attendance: Samuel J. Bailey, St. Mark’s Lodge No. 1001, Frank Goodnough, St. Mark’s Lodge No. 1001, C. Arlo Goodrich, Binghamton Lodge No. 177, Albert L. Bennett, Binghamton Lodge No. 177, Fred C. Kelley, Binghamton Lodge No. 177, J. B. Walker, Binghamton Lodge No.177, Milton H. Steele, Otseningo Lodge No. 435, F.H. Foote, Otseningo Lodge No. 435, Charles A. McLean, Otseningo Lodge No. 435 , Charles Smith, Round Hill Lodge No. 533, Harry Smith, Round Hill Lodge No. 533, Warren Winklestein, Philo Lodge No. 968, Sigmund Sugarman, Mt. Sinai Lodge No. 864, H.A. Norton, Afton Lodge No. 360.
The Lodge was granted its Charter on June 4, 1924.
The period from July 1923 through 1924 was a very active period. Degrees were conferred on 42 men on the First Degree, 28 on the Second Degree, and 37 were raised to the sublime Degree of Master Mason. Honorary membership was given to 6 men.
There have been Honorary Memberships granted to 22 men from the time of instituting the Lodge until consolidation with St. Mark’s Lodge No. 1001. Activities of the Lodge were many and varied. However, the most memorable of all the activities were the following:
Christmas Party for Children at the Susquehanna Children’s Home which was held
every Christmas Day. The many Brothers who participated in this important
Community Activity are well commended for their service to these children.
Annual George Washington Birthday Dinner Dance. After a period of time this
Dinner Dance expanded to include the other Lodges in the Binghamton Masonic
Temple. This Dance became the forerunner of what is now the Mason of the Year
Dinner, a yearly event held with all Lodges in the District.
Philetus Lodge No. 1023 was honored by Grand Lodge Appointments to the following Brothers:
DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTER (top)
R.·. W.·. Louis M. Greenblott 1956-1957
ELECTED TO GRAND LINE (top)
R.·. W.·. Louis M. Greenblott Junior Grand Warden 1966-1968
GRAND LODGE STAFF OFFICERS (top)
R.·. W.·. Leo Rubin Grand Director of Ceremonies 1940
R.·. W.·. Henry Levene Grand Director of Ceremonies 1945
R.·. W.·. Abraham Abrams Grand Director of Ceremonies 1948
R.·. W.·. Jacob Weber Grand Sword Bearer 1973
ASSISTANT GRAND LECTURER (top)
R.·. W.·. Jacob Weber
Late in the sixties, with the loss of membership and finding it difficult to maintain the Lodge, discussions were begun with St. Mark’s Lodge No. 1001 for the purpose of merging with them. The merger was completed in 1978.
PAST MASTERS OF PHILETUS LODGE NO. 1023
1923-1977 (top)
1923 ( U.D.) Henry M.Kline * 1951 Louis M. Greenblott *
1924 (U.D. ) Henry M. Kline * 1952 Irving M. Disraelly *
1925 Henry M. Kline * 1953 Albert M. Stone *
1926 David Cohen * 1954 Sidney A. Epstein *
1927 Abe Abrams * 1955 Louis Ernest *
1928 Leon Blumberg * 1956 Raymond Beck *
1929 Leo A. Rubin * 1957 Irwin E. Coen
1930 George Levy * 1958 Manuel E. Hochron
1931 Harry Whitelaw * 1959 Jacob Weber
1932 Henry Levene * 1960 Max Henry *
1933 Isadore Chernin * 1961 Berttram Rosenbaum
1934 Benjamin F. Cohen * 1962 Harry Bangildorf *
1935 Charles J. Pierson * 1963 Walter Haas *
1936 Aaron Tarsches * 1964 Samuel Freeling *
1937 Joseph R. Levine * 1965 Jack D. Brown *
1938 Maurice Sall * 1966 Joseph Marks
1939 Martin Weiss * 1967 Donald M. Sukloff
1940 Isadore Melamed * 1968 G. Paul Cohen
1941 Sidney J. Phillips * 1969 Seymour Klionsky
1946 William Katz * 1974 Sheldon Smith
1947 Samuel Feldman * 1975 Milton A. Rozen
1948 Daniel Thaw * 1976 Ronald Greenblott
1949 Max Shapiro * 1977 Ernie Gottheim
1950 Bernard Sandler *
* Deceased
Note: Henry M. Kline served as Master two years under dispensation.
HISTORY OF ST. MARK’S - PHILETUS LODGE NO. 1001 F. & A. M.
1978 - PRESENT (top)
The history of St. Mark’s-Philetus Lodge No. 1001 began in the early 1970’s At that time talks were started concerning possible consolidation. After several months of discussions concerning this consolidation, a committee of representatives from each Lodge was appointed, with the responsibility to negotiate and formulate plans to achieve this consolidation.
On October 12, 1977, an agreement was achieved to consolidate and on November 17, 1977, by two-thirds vote of each Lodge’s membership, consolidation was achieved.
On May 3, 1978, M... W.·. Albert Schneider, Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York, approved the consolidation, and henceforth the Lodge was designated to become known as St. Mark’s - Philetus No. 1001.
The consolidation was accomplished in a smooth manner. The cooperation of all members has contributed to the maintenance of our Lodge as friendly and industrious.
Although this consolidation achieved its goal, problems arose in the maintenance of the Masonic Temple. Throughout the 1980’s, these problems manifested into a tumultuous situation, and all Lodges and Bodies were moved to the Elgin Building, across the street from the Temple. Our problems continued with uncertainty and difficulty.
In 1992, under the diligent efforts of W.·. G. Bernard Freer, Master, negotiations began with the Johnson City Masonic Lodge to establish a suitable location for St. Mark’s-Philetus Lodge to meet. A unanimous decision was made by each Lodge’s membership for us to relocate to the Johnson City Temple. This relocation gave us new life and spark to continue and to grow.
The friendly atmosphere of St. Mark’s-Philetus Lodge continues to flourish and we are able to maintain our strong status among the Lodges of the Broome - Chenango District.
Since consolidation, we have been honored by the following :
On September 21, 1978, R.·. W.·. Howard W. Potts was made our first Honorary Member
DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTER (top)
R.·. W.·. Frank M. Chupp 1977-1978
GRAND LODGE APPOINTMENT (top)
R.·. W.·. Frank M. Chupp Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge 1982-1984
GRAND LODGE STAFF OFFICERS (top)
R.·. W.·. F. Hughes Neely Grand Steward 1989-1990
R.·. W.·. Charles J. Mackey Grand Sword Bearer 1998-2000
GRAND REPRESENTATIVE (top)
R.·. W.·. Enos A. Faber Nebraska 1984
DEDICATED SERVICE AWARDEE (top)
1979 W.·. Charles B. McNair
1980 W.·. Wilfred Perkins
1982 W. ·.William B. Crawford
1986 W.·. F.Hughes Neely
1993 W.·. G. Bernard Freer
1997 W.·. Robert H. Wheaton
2000 Bro. Ralph F. Williams
2001 W.·. Earl S. Gregory
2004 W.·. Thomas M. McMullin
MASON OF THE YEAR AWARDEES (top)
1970 W.·. Charles B. McNair 1985 W.·. Roger K. Donnelly
1971 W.·. Enos Faber 1986 W.·. Arthur S. Zoref
1972 R.·. W.·. Frank M. Chupp 1987 W.·. Stanley Salisbury
1973 R.·. W.·. Conrad Lasher 1988 R.·. W.·. Jerome W. Cornell
1974 W.·. Walter Haas 1989 W.·. Donald Hickok
1974 W.·. Wilfred Perkins 1990 Bro. William Timson
1975 R.·. W.·. Jerome W. Cornell 1991 W.·. Robert H. Wheaton
1975 W.·. Samuel Freeling 1992 Bro. Thomas M. McMullin
1976 Bro. Harry Heller 1993 W.·. Roger K. Donnelly
1976 W.·. Bernard Sandler 1994 W.·. Charles J. Mackey
1977 W.·. William B. Crawford 1995 Bro. Carl H. Johnson
1977 W.·. Milton A. Rozen 1996 W.·. William R. Hartman
1978 Bro. Monroe Glassman 1997 Bro. Ralph F. Williams
1979 W.·. Robert Hantsch 1998 Bro. Earl S. Gregory
1980 R.·. W.·. F.Hughes Neely 1998 Bro. Lyman L. Williams
1981 W.·. Hugh Heckman 1999 W.·. Eugene E. Thomas
1982 W.·. Walter Thompson 2000 Bro. Burton C. Zurner198
1983 W.·. Thomas Bonear 2001 W.·. Thomas A. Barbour
1984 W.·. G. Bernard Freer 2002 W.·. Harry Shoop
2003 Bro. W. Garry Flagg 2004 Bro. Martin K. Rorapaugh
2005 Bro. Ralph Williams 2006 Bro. Al Aguero
St. Mark’s-Philetus, under strong leadership of its Masters, has continued in its past practices of:
Honoring its 65, 50, 40 and 25 Year Members with Certificates and Pins
Honoring the Widows of our Departed Brothers with a planned Widows Night Dinner and Program. Widows Cards and Pins are presented to each.
Strongly supporting the Camp Turk Summer Camp for Boys and Girls, by sponsoring an eligible boy or girl for three weeks.
New programs that have recently been adopted are:
DRUG FREE SCHOOL ZONE signs erected at each school in the City of Binghamton. This was completed under the guidance of W.·. Carl H. Johnson
Participated on the Adopt -A- Highway Program
We have presented DeWitt Clinton Awards for Community Service to: (top)
Johnson City Council No. 2953 Knight of Columbus
Mr. Peter Picciano, Boy Scouts of America
Ms. Billie Briggs, Director of CHOW
CHOW
We have also received the following Awards:
Grand Lodge “ Hearts and Hands” Award for Community Service - 1996
Grand Lodge “ Hearts and Hands” Award for Community Service-2003( W.·. Thomas M. McMullin)
The “ Howard W. Potts” Award for Lodge Officers’ perfect attendance at the Grand Lecturer’s Convention - 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001and 2002.
We have a considerable number of members who are located in all States, both East of the Mississippi, and as far West as California and Texas. In 1998 we initiated, passed and raised Brother Gustavo deMello, a student at Binghamton SUNY. Brother DeMello is a native of Uraguay.
The loss of members, through the passing of many of our Brothers, has reduced our numbers to below 100. However, this number is strong, industrious and will continue to maintain the presence of our Lodge as a viable member of our District.
MASTERS OF ST. MARK’S - PHILETUS LODGE NO. 1001
AFTER CONSOLIDATION 1978 T0 PRESENT (top)
1978 George L. Arnold *
1979 James W. Gollogly, Sr. *
1980 Hugh D. Heckman *
1981 Thomas L. Bonear *
1982 Robert E. Hantsch *
1983 Thomas A. Barbour
1984 Harry Sayer
1985 Donald L. Hickok
1986 Stanley W. Salisbury *
1987 David L. Hantsch
1988 Arthur S. Zoref
1989 Arthur S. Zoref
1990 Stanley W. Salisbury *
1991 Eugene E. Thomas
1992 G. Bernard Freer
1993 - May 1994 G. Bernard Freer
In May, 1994 the Masonic Year was changed to reflect the Grand Lodge Masonic Year with election of Officers held on the first Communication following Grand Lodge’s Annual Communication in May of each year.
1994 - 1995 William R. Hartman
1995 - 1996 Carl H. Johnson
1996 - 1997 William R. Hartman
1997 - 1998 William Timson *
1998 - 1999 Carl H. Johnson
1999 - 2000 Earl S. Gregory
2000 - 2001 Thomas M. McMullin
2001 - 2002 Thomas M. McMullin
2002 - 2003 G. Bernard Freer
2003 - 2004 Thomas A. Barbour
2004 – 2005 William R. Hartman
2005 – 2006 William R. Hartman
* Deceased
Note: Dual Member of the Lodge, Harry Zoref, was Master of St. John’s Lodge No.1,
New York City, in 1993. He is also a Custodian of the St. John’s “ George Washington Bible.”
September 11, 2001 the Terrorist Attack on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C caused over 5,900 deaths. The country immediately united in a common cause of fighting Terrorism throughout the world with the assistance of all countries. The Red Cross responded immediately to aid the workers in New York City. Our Present Master, W.·. Thomas McMullin, a Red Cross Volunteer, spent nearly three weeks working in NYC.
The Grand Lodge Of the State of New York established a Fund of $1,000,000 to aid the volunteers and the families of the Police and Firemen that were killed in the Line of Duty. The Grand Lodge also gave 1000 sweatshirts and pants to the workers.
Grand Lodge, after many years of discussion, recognized several, but not all, Prince Hall Masonic Bodies in New York State.
On, Monday Evening , January 28, 2002, a group of R.·. W.·.’s from Vestal-Otsinengo No.435, Johnson City Unity No. 970, Eastern Light Lodge No. 126, St. Mark’s-Philetus No. 1001, and Maine No.399 had the opportunity to be the first group to meet with Prince Hall Lodge In Binghamton, New York The Lodge’s name is Chenango Lodge No. 39. The following attended: R.·. W.·. Holst and Nixon ( 435), R.·. W.·. Calisi, Smith, and Williamson (970 ), R.·. W.·. Whitbeck and Joslyn (126), R.·. W.·. Lindloff Maine (399) and R.·. W.·. Mackey (1001 )
We were well received and had a very worthwhile experience.
March 29, 2003 Grand Master’s Day at the Kalurah Shrine Center: (top)
In the hopes of increasing membership in the Masonry in New York State, M.·.W.·. Carl J. Fitze, Grand Master of Masons in New York State, planned this date as a date that 5000 men will become Masons. There were many questions among the brothers as to whether or not this Day would succeed. The planning, cooperation of the Lodges and all the Degree Teams, put into this Day were well rewarded.. There were 74 men that became Masons on that day. The following Masonic Districts represented at this event: Broome-Chenango, Cortland -Madison, and Chemung-Schuyler- Tioga.
Brothers who lived out of State, that were desirous of becoming Masons needed Dispensation from Grand Lodge for permission to attend this event. Many hours of planning and securing all the necessary forms were given by the Secretaries of the lodges in the Districts involved.
Each degree was conferred in full by the Brothers of this District.
St. Mark’s-Philetus Initiated Passed and Raised 5 candidates in the Grand Master’s One Day Class
A special event took place on July 9, July 23, and August 6, 2003. St Mark’s-Philetus Lodge No. 1001 conferred the three degrees of Masonry upon Douglas Duane Tarbox.
A special dispensation was requested and granted by M.·.W.·, Carl J. Fritze, Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York. The reason for this dispensation was due to the fact that Bro. Tarbox suffers from severe breathing and heart problems and could not attend the degrees at our Lodge Rooms. The degrees were conferred in his home with the
Officers of the Lodge. Also in attendance and taking an active part in the Degrees was R.·.W.·. James E. Sullivan, Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York. His quality of work and his full participation was noted in a letter to the Grand Master. R.·. W.·. Sullivan joined us as one of us and it made our difficult task much easier.
Brother Tarbox was thrilled that he was now a Mason and that it had fulfilled a life long dream. He, at a later date, became a Shriner. Brother Tarbox passed to the Celestial Lodge on January 11, 2004.
St.Marks-Philetus Lodge, desiring to move to a different location requested a dispensation from Grand Lodge for permission to move to Vestal-Otseningo Lodge 108 Lincoln Drive, Vestal, New York. On December 23, 2003, word was received from Grand Lodge that our request for a dispensation had been granted. This move gives us handicap accessible ramps and a lift chair. Our regala will be easier to maintain, access and keep stored in a clean environment. It also provides a larger Lodge Room for Degree presentations.
We hope that those who come after us can hear those welcome words:
“ Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of the Lord.” (top)
