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                                                                      Masonry was present and active in Union Township long before

 the first Masonic meeting was held in West Milton.  

Union Township Masons were involved in community and

civic affairs but lacked the formal bond of an identifiable

lodge. This inconvenient and awkward condition was

corrected on Thursday, July 23, 1896 when Eli Pearson

as appointed Worshipful Master acting under dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Ohio,

 formed the first West Milton Lodge in the Lodge room of Stillwater Lodge 165 I.O.O.F.   

West Milton Lodge continued to meet and work actively under dispensation until it was duly

constituted and dedicated on November 19, 1896.   At this first meeting officers were elected

and appointed.  They were installed the same evening in an open installation with several

 ladies present to witness Brother Gainor Jennings (Worshipful Master Elect) and his officers

 assume their offices and stations.  West Milton Lodge continued to work and grow as a Lodge

 but meetings were still held in the Lodge room of Stillwater 165, I.O.O.F.  This arrangement

was to continue for nearly four and a half years.   On July 6, 1899---- West Milton Lodge 577

F.&A.M. entered into an agreement with Frank Townsley Jr. and Harry Hale

(who were erecting a new two story building) to add a third floor to be used as the first

permanent Temple of West Milton Lodge 577 F.&A.M.    The Temple was completed and

dedicated on December 14, 1899.  

 This Temple served as home for the Masons and affiliated bodies until 1983, when a site at

102 North Washington Street in West Milton, that had been purchased by the

Lodge in 1977 with the intention of remodeling the building into a more

accessible and functional Temple, was activated.   Ground breaking ceremonies

 were held on November 14, 1982, work began and continued for several months and the

new Temple was occupied on April 21, 1983.   Meetings continued to be held under

dispensation until the formal dedication ceremonies were held on September 11, 1983.  

On this date the cornerstone was also laid by The Grand Lodge of Ohio, completing a dream

 that reaffirms the Masonic lesson

That time, Patience and Perseverance accomplish all things.

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