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111 years old this year |
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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