From the East
Brethren,
I hope this finds everyone well!
September was a busy month for degree work. Phalanx raised three brothers to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason and passed two brothers to the degree of Fellow Craft. Phalanx will also be conducting another Master Mason degree on October 6th, dinner at 6:30pm and the degree at 7:30pm. Please attend if within the length of your cable tow.
Phalanx Lodge coins should be here later this month. Once we receive them, we will notify the brethren and anyone that does not regularly attend lodge can request one and we will mail it to you. If a brother would like extra coins, they are $10.00 each.
At our September Stated Communication we had the honor of having MWB Shaun Bradshaw, Past Grand Master of North Carolina for masonic education. The turnout was excellent, so thank you for everyone who attended.
Please also join us at our next Stated Communication on Thursday October 13th, dinner at 6:30 and the lodge opens at 7:30. WB Steve Campbell, Grand Historian of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina will be presenting a masonic historical lecture. If you enjoy Masonic history, you will not want to miss it. If you need transportation assistance, please contact Mike Hamrick, PM Secretary.
This Month in Freemasonry – The House of the Temple
by WM Nick Voelker
In October 1909, the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction approved the building of a new temple in Washington, DC. Grand Commander James Richardson was charged with the undertaking and had grand plans for the size and design of the temple, which he desired would be “the most beautiful Masonic building in the world.” His vision was to replicate the Tomb of Mausolus at Halicarnassus built in roughly 350 BC in Turkey (right) one of the seven wonders of the world (the ruins still exist today). He finally received an architectural submission by John Russell Pope (who also designed the Jefferson Memorial in DC) that fit his vision and, in May 1911, Commander Richardson was the first to break ground.
On October 18, 1911, the Scottish Rite laid the cornerstone of the “House of the Temple” which was completed in October 1915 and included a huge celebration of Masons in Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, Commander Richardson could not join in celebrating the completion of his grand vision as he passed away in June 1914. The House of the Temple still exists today (below) and is located at 1733 16th Street NW in Washington DC. Many argue over 100 years later that it is still the grandest Masonic building in the world.
Fraternally,
Nick Voelker – Master
From the Secretary
Brothers,
We continue to be quite active with six Brothers continuing their masonic journey through the degrees, and new petitions recently received.
Please note the October 6th Master Mason Degree, and plan to join us if within the length of your cable tow. We will likely have some non-speaking roles needing to be filled. We would love to see a good number of Brothers present in support of these young men seeking further light.
Mike Hamrick, PM