A Brief History of Triangle Chapter #50 R.A.M.
As written by William C. MacQuesten, PHP, Historian
In recent years a small and dedicated group of men have labored in relative obscurity to keep alive a dream that had begun in 1920. These Companions, despite the effects of apathy and loss of membership, have succeeded in keeping Triangle Chapter #50, Royal Arch Masons on the rolls of active Chapters in the Grand Jurisdiction of New Jersey. Excellent Companions Grenot, Crossley, Zipay and Anderson must be proud indeed to see the fruits of their labor, as Triangle Chapter now entered into a new and, hopefully, productive era.
On Friday, June 18, 1920, the first convocation of Triangle Chapter, R.A.M. was opened under dispensation in Dover, New Jersey, Dr. Augustus L.L. Baker sitting as High Priest. In attendance were ten members of the Grand Chapter, including the Most Excellent Grand High Priest J. Vreeland Harring, who had granted the dispensation to allow the as yet unchartered Chapter to begin labor. At this meeting, the Chapter presented a ring to R. Ex. Comp. Lawrence M. Christensen, P.D.D.G.H.P. as a token of appreciation for his assistance in forming the Chapter. The night was capped off with the presentation of one-hundred and eighteen petitions for membership. This list was made of various "Who's Who" in the district's Blue Lodges.
The early minutes indicates that our Chapter was formed by Companions from Chapters in the North Jersey area. Our Charter members came from Union #7, Temple #13, Baldwin #17, Boonton #21 and Madison #27. Having so many Companions living in the Dover area, these men requested and received permission to form a Chapter in Dover, using the facilities of Acacia Lodge #20 F.& A.M. The enthusiastic response was immediate, as the one hundred eighteen petitions read at the first meeting indicates. In their first year, Triangle Chapter accepted one hundred ninety-one petitions: add to this the forty-four Charter members, and you see that the Chapter started out with a very impressive two hundred thirty-five Companions.
On Tuesday evening, May 24, 1921, a Special Convocation of Triangle Chapter, R.A.M. was convened in Dover, New Jersey. Most Excellent Grand High Priest Albert Leon ordered R. Ex. Peter McGill, Grand Secretary, to read the charter constituting Triangle Chapter as a regular and authorized chapter, hereafter to be known as Triangle #50. The Officers were immediately installed by P.M.E.G.H.P. Robert A Meeker. It is interesting to note that the hand-colored picture of the Officer line in costume that has hung in the conference room of our Temple all these years, was presented to Lewis M. Sanders, P.D.D.G.H.P. at this meeting. This presentation was made in recognition of R. Ex. Companion Sanders' assistance in forming our chapter.
For the next several years, Triangle Chapter grew and flourished, unfortunately, however, membership and interest began to decline in the Mid-1930's. Several demits were granted and many members were suspended for non-payment of dues. The most common reason cited was an inability to find the needed funds to pay the Chapter dues. Apparently some of the Companions were still suffering from the effects of the Great Depression. More and more frequently, one finds that the Chapter was unable to open due to a lack of a quorum. Finally, at the 337th regular convocation of Triangle Chapter #50, a motion was passed on March 16, 1942 to close Triangle Chapter at the close of the June meeting.
Realizing how complicated it would be to close, the Chapter held a number of Special Convocations to appoint Committees to oversee the closing. The closer they came to the June meeting, the more the Companions began to regret the decision to cease operations. Thankfully, at the convocation of June 15, 1942, the Companions voted to rescind the previous motion to close, opting instead to hold only four meetings per year. This arrangement worked well, saving the Chapter from going dark.
1945 saw the beginning of a new era in the history of Triangle Chapter. Petitions for membership began to pour in as the Companions extolled the virtues of our Chapter to all who would listen. This trend continued for years, causing the Chapter to return to monthly meetings. By 1948, a committee was appointed to consider holding two convocations per month. This was voted down. At the Royal Arch festival of 1952, Triangle Chapter #50 saw thirty-three new Companions receive the four degrees. The festival of 1953 saw Triangle Chapter present the most candidates in the entire state. By the close of 1954, Triangle Chapter boasted a total membership of 213 Companions, representing a gain of at least 10% for four straight years.
The Chapter continued to flourish, and during the meeting of February 17, 1955, M.E.H.P. Harold Mann put the Chapter on refreshment, ordered everyone to grab as much as they could carry and to proceed to the new Temple on Thompson Avenue. M.E.H.P. Mann reconvened the meeting at 10:00 P.M. After several companions made appropriate remarks about the occasion, the Chapter was closed.
It is interesting to note that pages 767 and 768 of our third minutes book were removed and placed in the cornerstone of the new temple. These pages contain a short. history of Triangle Chapter #50, along with a Chapter Penny, an up to date membership roster, and a copy of the Chapter By-Laws.
The most frequently quoted comments following the move came from some of our more senior Companions. It seems that after climbing all of those stairs at the former Temple, they were looking forward to attending meetings in a Temple that was "only seven steps above the sidewalk".
The Chapter had enjoyed a long period of prosperity, but, like Masonry in general, recent years had seen a decline in membership and attendance. Our Chapter has absorbed Madison Chapter #27 and Overlook Chapter #44, leaving only three Chapters in our District. The few remaining dedicated Companions struggled mightily to resurrect our Chapter, but meetings became less and less frequent due to the lack of a sufficient number of Companions required to open. Officers were forced to repeat year after year in the same stations. The future of the Chapter seemed grim.
In 1995, the Chapter received a much-needed influx of new members. A large portion of the Officer Line of Acacia Lodge #20 F.&A.M. submitted petitions to receive the Royal Arch Degrees. The Chapter's Officer Line for 1997 was largely made up of these same Companions, and new petitions have been received. Former members are asking about rejoining, and demitted Companions are asking the same. Lest anyone get the wrong impression, our more senior members have not stepped down to relax. They have been asked to stay in harness to guide and advise our new Officers, and of course, they have agreed.
The High Priest and Officers of Triangle Chapter #50 have shown a desire to continue the fine history and traditions of our Chapter in 1997. This enthusiasm should grow as new Companions receive their degrees. 1996 saw the Seventy-Fifth Anniversary of Triangle Chapter come and go unnoticed. By the end of this year, we will celebrate this overlooked milestone at a Special Convocation. We look forward to a resurgence in Royal Arch Masonry as we set our sights on a One Hundredth Anniversary to be held in the year 2021.