Part 6 (to view previous articles go to the ARCHIVES page.)
Wor. Bro. Albert B. Groves was our master in 1899, and by profession was an architect. He designed the Tuscan, and the Odeon Temples along with several other large office buildings in downtown St. Louis. His most famous building that we are familiar with is the New Temple on Lindell Boulevard.
Another member Wor. Bro. Alex Hillenkoetter served as Master of the lodge during 1907. Years later his son Bro. Roscoe H. Hillenkoetter received the rank of Admiral in the U. S. Navy and Commander of a Battleship called the Missouri. He remained a member of our lodge for many years.
It is interesting to note that on Thanksgiving Day of 1910, degree work was being performed by a degree team composed of brethren in the United States Army stationed at Jefferson Barracks. Thanksgiving Day was usually marked by an all day meeting devoted to conferring the M.M. Degree, followed by the serving of a sumptuous turkey dinner with all the trimmings. I am certain this practice would not be an option in today society.
During the period of 1913 to 1915 several interesting events occurred. The lodge had received one hundred and thirty–nine petitions were received and one hundred and one brethren received their M. M. degree. One year the lodge had fifty-one meetings with over ninety members in attendance. Last year (2001) the lodge had eighteen meetings with one special. It was during this period that due to the number of degree work required, one meeting lasted over thirty hours. The lodge also during this period started its own orchestra and glee club. Six years later the lodge had 205 members receive their M. M. degree. To honor the brethren who served during World War I were honored with a dinner where over 800 of our members attended dinner.
At the celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Lodge the dinner was held at the Scottish Rite Cathedral. The attendance at this meeting had over 3,100 persons attended the celebration. The lodge had grown to nearly 1900 members, making it the largest lodge in the City of St. Louis, and second largest in the State of Missouri.
The history of Freemasonry makes an impressive record; and Beacon Lodge has, along with many other Masonic bodies, contributed its share to help make up such a history. However, we owe our strength and growth to the value of the Great Moral Teachings of Freemasonry, as exemplified in its Tenets of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth, and a firm belief in God. On this principal, Freemasonry unites men of every country, sect, and opinion.