The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-03-26

INDIANAPOLIS LODGE NO. 500,
l. Free and Accepted Masons, was
born of the need felt by members of
the order residing in the section of
the city west of White river for
blue lodge in that area. The terri
tory was obviously promising and
inviting field in which to- organize
such a group, and a meeting was
called by Walter HoSs on Dec. Is,
1906, to obtain the consent and sup
port of master MasonS of the vicin-
ity.
This was not long in making itself
felt, and soon temporary organl-
zation was perfected and steps were
taken to get permission from the
lodges in this jurisdiction to form
a Masonic blue lodge in West In
dianapolis
With this permission granted, the
lodge applied for dispensation on
Feb. 5, 1907. This petition was signed
by the real founders of Indianapolis
lodge, Carey E. Chapman, Louis j..
Pierce, Walter S. Hoss, Hugh c.
Thompson, Hannibal F. Jones, John
S. Black, William H. Harrison, John
Henry Angus, Owen Quigley, Frank
Turner, Iradell D. Sawyer, Ernest (.
Ely, Thomas R. Brown, Harry Vo-
schell. A. c. Pebworth, George E.
WATSON and Thomas Mccullough.
officers of this first group were
Carey E. Chapman, worshipful mas
-, y
den; Frank Turner, Junior warden;
Iradell D. Sawyer, treasurer, and
Walter S. HoSS, secretary.
Following reception of the petit
ton. Lincoln V. CravenS, most
worshipful grand master of the
grand lodge of Indiana, appointed
Elmer F. Gay to act as his deputy
to examine the proposed quarters
of the lodge and to satisfy himself
as to the Masonic qualifications of
the petitioners. Upon receipt of
Mr.. Gays favorable report that all
were good men and true" dispen-
sation was granted and accepted by
Indianapolis lodge at its first reg
ular meeting on Feb. Is, 1907.
|
The lodge held it's first meeting
in a building at Morris and Howard
streets, known as Success hall, but
after a period of about two years,
it became necessary to vacate these
quarters when the building was
condemned. No other edifice suit
able to the needs Of the young lodge
could be found in the vicinity which
had been growing rapidly in recent
years. so the two lots on which the
present WeStside Masonic temple
stands we're purchased and a two
story building erected which ade-
uuately filled the needs of the lodge
until 1918, when the membership
of the lodge had grown to 1900 and
new quarters were needed.
Necessity was the cradle OF the
Westside Masonic Temple Associa-
ton which was formed at this time
with the lodge trustees as its mem
bers. They were Frank Turner. John
D. Sanford Sr., and Harry Daniel
and these three designed the pres
ent WeStSide temple, supervised its
construction, and handled its deco
ration and furnishing. 1t stands to-
day at 1922 West Morris street.
CIXTY petitions for membership
y were received and disposed Of
at the lodges first stated meeting
which was held March 4, 1907
Twenty-Five of these petitioners
we're elected to receive degrees a
a meeting held April /, and initla-
tory work was begun April 8. Wher
the dispensation expired on May II
regular charter was sought by Indi-
annapolis lodge and promptly granted
by the grand lodge which then wa'
in session.
Institution of the new organiza
ton as indianapolis lodge No. 66!
took place on June 10, 1907, will
Elmer F. Gay acting in behalf o
the grand master and being assisted
by Andrew McNeight, Sheridan
Hawkins. Elmer Smythe and ISaa'
E. Brokaw. First officers unde
charter. all of whom were installed
on this occasion, were Carey E
Chapman. worShipful master; Loui
j. Pierce. senior warden; Franz
Turner, junior warden; Iradell D
SAWYER. treasurer; Walter S. Hoss
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