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A History Of St. George Lodge #239 F&AM |
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On 1 October 1851, St. George Lodge, under
dispensation, was instituted at the Masonic Hall in Louisville, Kentucky.
The lodge was so named in honor of the patron saint of England and a major
saint of the Anglican Church (the official Church of England since the
reign of Henry VIII) and its American counterpart, the Episcopal Church.
The dispensation was granted by the then Most Worshipful Grand Master of
the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, Brother G. G. Wintersmith. Past Grand Master,
Brother Charles Tilden, assisted by Brother Jacob Owen as Senior Warden
and Brother Henry N. Gray as Junior Warden, presided and instituted the
lodge. |
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The officers appointed and installed by the Grand
Master were: |
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| W. G. Rooker
- Worshipful Master |
Wolfe
Samuels - Junior Deacon |
| J.C. Ford -
Senior Warden |
John Hardin - Secretary |
| George
Starkey - Junior Warden |
B. N. Crump - Treasurer |
| George
Monsarrat - Senior Deacon |
A. D. Ehrich - Tyler |
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In addition to the eight (8) officers, there were
nine (9) other Masons and brothers listed as members of St. George Lodge
for a total of 17 official charter members. They were: |
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W. G. Rooker |
James D. Guthrie |
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J.C. Ford |
J. W. Knight |
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George Starkey |
W. T. Leacock |
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George Monsarrat |
C. H. Trabue |
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Wolfe Samuels |
D. R. Young |
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John Hardin |
William Riddle |
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B. N. Crump |
C. H. Fry |
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A. D. Ehrich |
T. A. Read |
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O. S. Coombs |
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The Grand Lodge of Kentucky, at the following
communication, approved the action of the Grand Master in granting the
dispensation and so on 2 September 1852, a charter was issued and the
number 239 was designated to it. 11 days later, on 13 September 1852, the
lodge was set to work by Past Grand Master, Willis Stewart, who had been
designated by the Grand Master to present the charter and install the
officers. Past Grand Master Stewart proclaimed the lodge at work under the
charter as: |
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St. George
Lodge, No. 239, F.&A.M. |
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In accordance with the charter granted and by the
authority of the Grand Lodge, the following officers were appointed: |
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| William Riddle - Worshipful
Master |
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| C. H. Fry - Senior Warden |
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| S. D. Gross - Junior Warden |
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The minutes of the lodge for 13 September 1852 also
reflect that the following brothers were elected to the offices set
opposite their names: |
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George Monsarrat - Senior Deacon |
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| Wolfe Samuels - Junior
Deacon |
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| John Hardin - Secretary |
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| B. N. Crump - Treasurer |
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A. D. Ehrich - Tyler |
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| Beginning on 28 December
1852, less than five months after its charter was issued and pursuant to
the rules then in force, the officers were elected semi-annually. This
rule remained in force until December of 1855 when the lodge began
electing officers annually. Pursuant to the constitution of the Grand
Lodge of Kentucky and its current by-laws, St. George Lodge continues to
elect and install its officers in December of each year. |
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| We have been indeed
fortunate in having as members, workers, and officers, men of character
and devotion. From the meager beginnings of 17 charter members, this lodge
has grown significantly and at one time boasted over 500 members; but from
1851 to date, it has not always been an easy road. The lodge’s membership
has fluctuated over the past 150 plus years, but the untiring endeavors of
its members, its officers and its Past Masters have established St. George
Lodge as one of the outstanding lodges in Kentucky in quality of membership
and in its exemplification of the rituals. |
