31696 RYAN RD
WARREN MI 48092
(586) 264-0290
The History of North Warren Lodge No. 594
Brothers James Thackton, Norman Dierolf, Harold Sivers, David N. Jones and others met at the home of James Thackton to discuss having a Lodge in the north end of Warren MI. James Thackton ran a gas station on Mound Rd and Beebe St. and Norman Dierolf worked for the Post office. David Jones, Harold Sivers and Erling Ollila worked for General Motors. We passed the word around about forming a Masonic Lodge in the north end of Warren. There were about sixty or seventy persons who wanted to be a part of this new Lodge. In order to be on the list that was to be sent to Grand Lodge we needed money, so it was suggested that it would cost each person $25.00 to be on the Dispensation. We ended up with thirty three Brothers seriously committed.
Our next move was to secure a place to meet. There was an Independent Order of Odd Fellows Hall on Chicago Rd. and Mound. A committee was formed to meet with them and see if we could work out a contract to rent space for our meetings in their building and discuss the cost. A contract was drawn up with the Odd Fellows and we agreed to pay $60.00 a month. We would be responsible for cleaning the hall for our meetings and putting three steel posts in place to support the upstairs floor. Each week two Brothers were charged to do that job.
In November the Grand Lodge Officers met with us to inspect the building and to issue a dispensation. There was one Grand Lodge Officer who told us that we would not meet there when he was Grand Master. The Worshipful Master, Senior Warden and Junior Warden had been elected by the Brothers and the other Officers were appointed. The 1st Officers were W.M., Wayne Boelio, S.W., Norman Dierolf, J.W., Donald Richards, Treasurer-Franklin Anderson, Secretary-John Gilchrist, Chaplain-Robert Walker, S.D., Alger Charbeneau, J.D., Claude O. Montgomery, Stewards-Kenneth Bell, David N. Jones, William Thompson and Douglas Johnson, Marshal-Erling Olilla, Tiler-Ralph Noble.The following month we had a regular meeting and read the names of two men who had petitioned the Lodge for membership. We were getting candidates and moving forward.
The wives worked together and sewed our first white aprons. The Ladies Auxiliary was formed to prepare our Master Mason Dinners and help us raise money on different projects, card parties etc. To raise money to obtain property for a building we sold non-interest bonds at $25.00 each. North Warren Lodge No. 594 received their Charter May 24, 1961 at the Annual Communication of Grand Lodge when it was held in the Detroit Masonic Temple. In June of 1961 the Officers were Installed by Most Worshipful Grand Master Willard Saur and his Officers. Our first Installation of Officers was held in the dining room of Saint Paul United Church. The Lodge was fortunate to have the Ladies Auxiliary helping 100% in all of our endeavors. In our first year 17 members were raised, 13 joined by transfer, and 1 death. For the next 21 years, there were at least 12 or more Brothers raised each year. By 1982 we had 395 Brothers on our Roll of membership
The West School House on Ryan Rd was put up for sale and was sold to a person to make a club or hall out of it. Two years later he wanted to sell it as he could not obtain a liquor license, since it was within 105 feet of a church. A committee was formed to try and obtain this property. After a year of discussion we came to an agreement to buy the property, pending Grand Lodge approval. So in early spring Percy Williams, G.M. said he would see that the committee would approve the buying of this building for a Masonic Temple.
After the Grand Lodge approved it, the Brothers worked evenings and week ends to make it suitable for Masonic use. In September, 1966 we began holding all of our meetings at this Temple. On November 12, 1966 the building was dedicated for the use of Freemasonry by Most Worshipful Grand Master Robert Hockstad and his Officers. Next came the task of paying the mortgage off, which was done with the help of many of the Brothers and their wives on different fund raising projects. In 1980 the building was successfully paid off. In November of 1993, Eureka Lodge No. 509 consolidated with North Warren Lodge No. 594. We are known as Eureka North Warren Lodge No.594 F.&A.M. with a membership in 1995 of 538 members.
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
Eureka Lodge #509 F.& A.M. 48th Anniversary / May 25th, 1969
Eureka Lodge was first started by three Brothers, Namely, Bro. Rev. F. W. Bald, Bro. John Drake, & P. M. Bro. Geo. H. Thorpe, early October 1920.Permission was granted to use the basement of Trinity Reformed Church to hold our meetings late in the year of 1920. On January, 1921, we elected our Master & Wardens Preparatory to receiving our Dispensation. Our first Worshipful Master was P. M. Bro. Gledhil Akroyd. One January 24th, 1921, Most Worshipful Grand Master Ira A. Beck granted the twenty-nine charter members permission to work and act under dispensation.
On February 5th the first meeting was held, and the business at hand was reading of nine applications for membership. The first candidates were initiated, passed, and raised in the Trinity Reformed Church, and in May of 1921 the Worshipful, Senior Warden, and Secretary journeyed to Battle Creek, Michigan to receive our Charter, which now hangs proudly on our lodge walls.
The charter was granted by the Most Worshipful Grand Master Ira A. Beck on May 25th, 1921. The first regular communication under the new charter was held in our new temple on Balmoral Ave. June 7th 1921. This was the home of Eureka until June 22nd, 1926, and then we moved into our quarters at Woodward & Seven Mile Road. Ground was broken to build the present Eureka Temple, 111 W. Seven Mile Road in 1956. The temple was completed & dedicated December, 1958.
Over the past 48 years Eureka Lodge has grown from 29 members to 1495 enrolled members of which 622 are active. Of these, 67 are life members, and 4 are Honorary Members. Many fine worthy brothers have been elected to the high office of Worshipful Master these past 48 years, with the help of all the officers and brothers of Eureka Lodge has brought the Lodge to the position that it now occupies, as a model, a credit to the craft, an asset to the community, and an honor to the fraternity.
In conclusion we must all know after reading this short history, why our relations are so dear to the Trinity Reform Church. (Now known as the Trinity United Church of Christ). Annually Eureka has accepted an invitation from the congregation to take part in a special service of worship, and the church on the corner of Charlson & Seven Mile Road will go down in Eureka history as 'Our Birthplace'.
(Note: In 1993 Eureka Lodge #509 merged with North Warren Lodge #594 to become Eureka North Warren Lodge #594)
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