Mount Olivet Lodge #3 A.F. & A.M. was chartered in A.D. 1817 A.L. 5817 as Mount Olivet #113 in the state of Virginia by the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of Virginia. Stated communications were convened in the Court House of Wood County.
In A.D. 1827 Mount Olivet Lodge #113 AF & AM suspended its operations and relinquished its Charter to the Grand Lodge of Virginia because of the anti-Masonic movement.
In 1842 the Charter was re-issued to Mount Olivet Lodge #113 by the Grand Lodge of Virginia. Stated communications were held in the Court House of Wood County according to Virginia Grand Lodge Proclamation. This continued thru 1846. No evidence or available records show where the Stated Communications were held in 1847 or 1848 but presumption would be in the Wood County Court House.
From 1849 thru 1859 any surviving records or information cannot be located.
In the years of 1859 and 1860 the Virginia Proclamation states that the Stated Communications were held in the Odd Fellows Hall on the third Monday of every month.
In 1861 Mount Olivet #113 went dark and relinquished its charter to the state of Virginia. This was due to the War Between the States or Civil War. 1863 saw the creation of a new state – West Virginia – which seceded from the Mother State of Virginia as a result of the Civil War.
May 10, 1865 saw the establishment of the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of West Virginia – and the recognition of subordinate lodges in its jurisdiction. Included was Mount Olivet Lodge #113 of Parkersburg, West Virginia. Among its works was the renumbering of the subordinate lodges under its jurisdiction. Mount Olivet Lodge was changed from #113 to #3. A new charter was granted on November 30, 1868.
As stated in the minutes of December 14, 1874 a committee was appointed to find a new location to meet.
According to the minutes of September 20, 1875 they could not find a new place to meet.
From late 1875 to 1883 stated communications were held in the Gibbens Building on Ann Street between Second and Third Streets.
From November 30th 1883 to 1896 stated communications were held in the Rose Building, also known as the Rose Opera House. It was located on Market Street between 4th and 5th Streets above the old Strand Theater. This location was a lease which cost them $200.00 per year.
On August 12, 1895 the appointed building committee filed a report on various properties for sale on which to build a Masonic Temple. Five parcels were suggested:
R.A. Little lot on 9th and Market for $100.00 per square foot
W.N. Wolfe Lot on 8th and Market for $150.00 per square foot
Tavener lot on 6th and Avery 50x100 for $100.00 per square foot
Presbyterian Church property for $8000.00
Randolph Logan lot on 4th near Market for $5500.00
Building 3 stories on lot 50x100 for $10,000.00
On August 21, 1895 a request was made by the City of Parkersburg to lay the cornerstone of the New City Building on September 5, 1895.
September 9, 1895 committee on Masonic Temple report that a plan or sketch of building drawn by architect Adair and estimated cost for construction by contractor Daniels was $10,000.00 making total cost of $14,000.00 with lot. Ways and means committee reported that it was feasible to build a Temple so constructed that in the future, the roof may be raised and other stories added. Financing was also discussed.
In late 1895 furniture for the three rooms for the Temple was made by Bentley & Gerwig Co. at a cost of $923.55.
Prior to January 27, 1896 a Lodge room was rented from Fred R. Rose. There were problems with leaks in the roof which damaged some furniture.
On January 27, 1896 they decided to move to more desirable quarters in the new building to be erected on the grounds where the Academy of Music stood at the rate of $400.00 per year. Lease was for 10 years and paid by the quarter.
On September 14, 1896 was the first meeting in the new Lodge room. Room was leased from Van Winkle and Busch.
From the years 1896 to 1897 stated communications were held in the Van Winkle-Busch Building on Juliana Street between 5th and 6th Streets. Its location was at 503-507 Juliana Street. These were rented quarters. From the minutes of January 25, 1909, it states that they paid Van Winkle and Busch $400.00 for their annual rent. From 1908 to 1914 they paid rent to R.J.A. Boreman.
April 11, 1898 a committee of 5 was appointed to look up ground suitable for a cemetery and what it would cost. 
August 8, 1898 secured an option for cemetery ground from Henry Hopkins and George Hopkins.
September 14, 1899 the Brethren were given the opportunity to purchase grave plots in Mount Olivet Cemetery for $50.00 each.
June 12, 1899 made a proposition to the Wood County Court, offering them 500 single interments at $200.00 each.
October 5, 1899 Mount Olivet Lodge #3 assisted in laying the corner stone of the new Wood County Court House. The Masonic Temple was located on Juliana St.

In 1902 a 68’x120’ lot on the corner of 9th and Market Streets was purchased from Doctor J.A. Williams. Purchase price for the lot was $20,500.00.
On December 29, 1902 the Worshipful Master Brother A. Emmett Whitney appointed a committee to select and purchase a lot for the purpose of erecting a Masonic Temple.
On January 22, 1903 a Special Communication was called to take action on the report of the committee to find property for a Masonic Temple. It was decided unanimously to purchase the property of Dr. Williamson the corner of Market and Ninth streets for $20,500.00.
As of January 26, 1903 the annual dues appeared to e $4.00.
As of October 1910 Mt. Olivet #3 had 384 members and the Grand Lodge Assessment was $192.00.
May 27, 1912 a committee of seven (7) was appointed to investigate the feasibility of building a Masonic Temple.
December 4th 1913 it was decided to erect a building on the corner of 9th and Market Streets. The cost was not to exceed $125,000.00, including cost of the lot.
December 14, 1914 the Worshipful Master was directed to serve notice to the owners of the Lodge Room that they would vacate on January 1, 1916.
March 8, 1915 a committee was formed to establish plans for the laying of the corner stone of the new Masonic Temple.
August 14, 1916 the Worshipful Master appointed a Committee on Dedication of the new Temple.
November 27, 1916 consent was give by the Most Worshipful Grand Master of West Virginia to move from present quarters into the new Masonic Temple at the corner of Market and Ninth Streets.
January 8, 1917 a Stated Communication of Mount Olivet Lodge #3 AF&AM was held in their Asylum in the City of Parkersburg, West Virginia on Monday the 8th day of January A.D. 1917 AL 5917 at 7:30 o’clock PM in the new Masonic Temple.
February 19, 1917 the new Masonic Temple was dedicated on the afternoon of February 19, 1917, it being the week set aside for the ceremony.
*Cost of the new Temple                            $132,598.20
*Cost of the Temple equipment                  $31,929.59
* These did not include cost for furniture or the architects balance.
February 19, 1917 on the date of the Dedication of the Temple, a Master Masons Degree was exemplified by the offices of Mount Olivet #3 in costume.
October 22, 1917 total membership was 614.
November 14, 1917 the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge convened in Parkersburg.
The Temple was built in 1916 and dedicated in 1917. The floor of this grand old historic structure was embellished with five varieties of inlayed marble. On the exterior of the building are all the symbolic emblems of Masonry and its affiliated bodies are meticulously carved in stone. The typical arched windows of that time period also adorn its exterior.
Being listed on the Nation Register of Historic Places as building #82001779 it boasts of the Classic Revival style of stone structures. It was designed by an Ohio Architect Frank L. Packard who also designed the Capitol Annex in Charleston, West Virginia.

The current Masonic Temple on the corner of 9th and Market streets was built in 1916.

This information has been compiled by Edgel T. Gaston, PM and Fred R. Lambert, PM from various sources.