The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1901-05-01
Masonic Hall Dedicated.

by The Masonic fraternity of this
place, a. We II as many members OF
this mystic order from distance, as
being an occasion that afforded much
pleasure not only from the dedication
of building to Masonry, hut the
mingling together Of the brethren IL
sccisl intercourse and ftom the as
sembling here of many high "fii:ial
Of the order iu this State.
For the first time in she history Of
Lexington Lodge, No. 1872, a. T. NJ,
has it had lodge room wholly aud
entirely it's own. 1t lie tue that for
number Of years the Lodge con-
trolled the upper story Of st. Ste
phen's church where it heldits stated
aud special meetings, but long before
tbat building was destroyed by fire
several years ago, it was developed
that this place was inadequate aud to-
tally unfit for the purposes for which it
WAS used, and it was realized that q
more convenient place Ct met ett'nS
WAS necessary fer the growth Of the
Lodge and it was determined to erect
bull ling sufficiently large and with
conveniences to meet ell the require
meuts. The fire came aud destroyed
their working tools. jewels aud other
property which necessitated their
replacement at considerable expense.
| notwithstanding this misfortune the
Masons became owners by right OF
purchase Of the handsome property
known as The old Fair Grounds, on
Church street, opposite St. Stephen
cemetery, wherein their present
meeting place Is iocateo.
For the dedication of this building
the brethren came from the east and
from the west, and from the porth
and the south, FROM the bill tops and
from the valleys to witpess the
ceremony performed by tie Grand
Lodge of South Carolina The build
ing is handsome two story frame
edifice, 30x60 feet, fronting on Church
street. The front is relieved by a
pretty vestibule which is the entrance
to the lower floor and handsome disc
containing symbolic designs of The
order. 1t is not only pretty hone
for the MasoDs but is an ornament to
tie town, and its completion ia net
| only matter Of copgratulatioa TO
| the fraternity, but also to the com
munity.
A, eleven o'clock the Grand Lodge
| of South Carolina met in the Lodge
| room, aod after bing cs'lled TO order
By the Right Worshipful Grand
Master, OtIando Sheppard, the line
| Of march was formed and the march
to the coutG hcn=e where the dedica.
tion ceremonies were 20 take place
commenced. The following acted as
grand tfficers.
J. r. Barron-Deputy grand mas
ter-Columbia.
Orlando Sbeppard-Iost Worship
| full grand master-Edsefeld.
J. E McDonald--s'enior grand
wardeu-Winnsboro.
W. A. Gllts-Juniurgra warden
-Graniteg:lie.
Charles Ipelesby-Csrand secre-
tary-CharlestoD.
NJ. II. Witt-Grsnd treasurer
Brooklaud
L G. Aneell-Graud puisuivapt-
Ridge Spring.
J. L. Niche, Darlington and D. j.
Griffith, Columbia Senior grand dea
cons.
Rev. Jvab Edwards, Lsesv'l!e, ".
W. Luupkip, C5lumbia--Junior
grand deacoDs.
J. c Swyserf, Lsesville and B. G..
DuPre, Columbis Grand stewa, ds.
A. 4. Fusle-Geand marshal-Co-
lunlbia.
Rev. L P. Hutson-Grand chap,
lain.
i, l.. CNley-G,aud tyler.
In the procession The Bible bearer
was Tyre Etheredge, and the consti-
tuition was bone by P. l. Rswl.
The dedicatoly exercises were i'm
pressive. Tue announcement of
Worshipful Muster J F. k!zer that
tbe brethren Of Lexington Lodge,
being animated by d desire to pro-
mote tue honor and interest of the
craft, have erected Masonic Hall,
and the turning over of the sqasre,
level and plumb to the Most Wor-
sbipful Grand Master by arche:ect
J. J. Taylor and the response of the