Fifty-Year History of Great Bridge Lodge #257 (1930 to 1980)

By: Alva O. “Benny” Benson
(Past Treasurer, Past Master, and Trustee of Great Bridge Lodge No. 257, also Past DEO and Past D.D.G.M. of the 36th Masonic District.)

To the best of my knowledge, Great Bridge freemasonry enjoyed its first permanent home in the section that was then known as lower Norfolk County, when a group of Masons received a dispensation from Most Worshipful William Henry Lambert on March 4, 1874, to establish a lodge at Hickory, Virginia, to be known as Hickory Ground Lodge U.D.

The Lodge met in the Hickory Ground Academy, a school located on Benefit Road, a short distance west of the present Hickory Methodist Church, and Hickory Elementary School. They received their charter from the Grand Lodge on December 16, 1874, along with thirteen other lodges across the state, one of which was our own Lake Drummond Lodge No. 178.

They were chartered as Hickory Ground Lodge No. 180, A.F. & A.M. and operated in the Hickory area for twenty-eight years until surrendering their charter to the Grand Lodge in December 1908, because so many members had moved away or demitted and poor attendance made it impossible to open Lodge on a regular basis.

I have in my notes that Brother Yelverton Baker Miller demitted from Hickory Ground Lodge in 1901 and affiliated with Princess Anne Lodge No. 25. He was the father of Right Worshipful Marvin Miller and Yelverton Basil Miller, both members of Princess Anne Lodge No. 25, and grandfather of Yelverton Baker Miller. Jr., a present member of that lodge.

{Editor’s Note: Right Worshipful Benson included the following tribute to one of the members of Hickory Ground Lodge No. 180, A.F. & A.M., without explanation. It led me to wonder what caused the lodge to form a committee to produce the resolution, who was this mason that he would be afforded such an honor, and left me curious as to why we no longer make the effort to “remember” our departed brothers in this way.}

TRIBUTE OF RESPECT – BENJAMIN GUSTAVUS HODGES

At a regular meeting of Hickory Ground Lodge No. 180, A.F. & A.M., the following resolutions were unanimously adopted. Whereas: It has pleased Almighty God, Our Heavenly Father, in His Wisdom, to call from labor to reward, our beloved brother. Benjamin Gustavus Hodges, who departed this life on the 18th day of January 1897, leaving to us the memory of a tried, true, and worthy mason ever loyal to the order, observing it’s tenets, living in obedience to it’s obligations and enjoying to it’s fullest extent the confidence, love and esteem of the brethren and,

Whereas: We the members of Hickory Ground Lodge, appreciating the many virtues which ennobled, and adorned his character as an upright mason, a good citizen, and a Christian gentleman, remembering as we do his devotion to his lodge, the observance of his duty to his neighbor, and to his God, the faithfulness with which he endeavored to perform the duties imposed on him as an officer of the lodge; feeling deeply and keenly the aching void therein, and being desirous of placing in the record this tribute of love, and evidence of bereavement, therefore, be it,

Resolved 1. That in the death of Brother Hodges, this lodge has sustained a loss which will long be felt by its officers and members in the discharge of their Masonic duties and social intercourse.

Resolved 2. That we will ever cherish and hold in grateful remembrance the noble qualities which contributed to make him a true men, a good citizen, and a Free and Accepted Mason, worthy to wear the jewels that adorn the Masonic Crown.

Resolved 3. That this lodge tenders its profound and fraternal sympathy to his bereaved family.

Resolved 4. That these resolutions be spread upon the records of this lodge, a copy forwarded by the secretary to the Richmond Christian Advocate, and Raleigh Christian Sun for publication.

GREAT BRIDGE LODGE NO. 257

In 1928, a group of masons living in Great Bridge and the surrounding area began discussing the possibility of forming a Masonic Lodge in the area. The first requirement was to secure a place to meet Several ideas were considered arid discarded, until the brethren received permission to use the old wooden two story annex that was then attached to the present one story section of the north end of the adjacent schoo1 complex located just north of our present Temple. This old annex was very dilapidated and required a great deal of work on the windows, doors, walls, roof, and floors before it could be used. The interested brethren, with the help of several others from Norfolk, Portsmouth, and South Norfolk, made all of the repairs.

On June 29, 1929, Most Worshipful John T. Cochran, Grand Master of Masons, in Virginia issued a dispensation to Great Bridge Lodge U.D. to begin work.

On Monday evening, July 15, 1929, Right Worshipful T.G. Harrell, D.D.G.M., for the 35th Masonic District, assisted by a number of Past Masters journeyed to Great Bridge to install the new Lodge Officers and set them to work. There were a number of brethren present from Norfolk No. 1, Doric No. 44, Berkley No. 167, Corinthian No. 266, Ocean View: No.335, South Norfolk No. 339, as well as several our-of-state lodges.

In talking with Right Worshipfu1 Brother T.G. Harrell some years ago, he remembered that prior to the installation, he and some others walked around the outside of the building to ascertain that there were no cracks or openings through which any proceedings could be observed.

Satisfied that all was secure, he opened a Masters Mason’s Lodge and installed the following officers: Worshipful Master, C.B. Vance; Senior Warden, Jacob H. Kelly Jr.; Junior Warden, Arthur W. Snow; Treasurer, H. B. Cole; Secretary, H. A. Williamson; Senior Deacon, L. H. Stewart; Junior Deacon, Livius L. Old; Tiler, N. B. Hodges.

The dues were set that night at fifty cents per month, and fees for the degrees at forty dollars. A copy of the proposed by-laws was given to the D.D.G.M. for his recommendation.

The brethren of Great Bridge Lodge U.D. held their first Stated Communication on July 22, 1929, at which time five petitions, and one affiliation were received.

It is recognized that one of Freemasonry’s strengths comes from the fact that it attracts to its membership a broad cross-section of all those who make up a community and Great Bridge Lodge in those early years certainly benefited form that fact as we note the first officers. Worshipful C.B. Vance worked at the Norfolk Navel Shipyard and farmed as a sideline, Brother Jacob H. Kelly, Jr. was a school teacher and principal, Brother Arthur Snow was Clerk of the Norfolk County Circuit Court, Brother H.B. Cole was a Baptist Minister, Brother Harry A. Williamson, a merchant and farmer, Brother L. H. Stewart, a farmer, Brother Livius Old, Junior Engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Brother N. B. Hodges, a merchant and a farmer. There is no record in the minutes of a Chaplain until Worshipful Brother Snow appointed Brother Archer E. Roach on December 26, 1932 for the ensuing year.

It is obvious that I cannot cover fifty years of Masonry in these few pages, but I have tried to pick out those things I felt were significant to the lodge, or of interest to you as they happened through the years. Our first candidate, William C. Vance, son of the Worshipful Master, was initiated on August 29, 1929. On September 30, 1929, Brother Marion B. Fussell was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason, the first brother to be raised in Great Bridge Lodge U.D. In 1973, a group of us chartered a bus to visit the Lodge in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, to see Brother Fussell installed as Worshipful Master of that lodge.

The Lodge continued to work and grow and was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Virginia on February 12, 1930, as Great Bridge Lodge No. 257 with thirty members.

Charter Members of GREAT BRIDGE LODGE NO. 257

February 12, 1930

REPORT OF GRAND LODGE COMMITTEE ON CHARTERS FEBRUARY 12, 1930

At the One Hundred and Fifty Second Grand Annual Communication of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge, A.F.& . A.M. of Virginia, held in the Masonic Temple, Broad and Adams Street in the city of Richmond, the 12th day of February, A.L. 5930, A.D., 1930, at 7:30 P.M., Report of the Committee in part:Whereas, a dispensation was issued on the 19th day of June A.L. 5929, A.D. 1929,a by the Most Worshipful Grand Master, for the opening of a Lodge at Great Bridge, in Norfolk County, in the State of Virginia, under the designation of Great Bridge Lodge and appointing Brother C.B. Vance as Master, J.H. Kelly, Jr. as Senior Warden, and A.W. Snow as Junior Warden; and whereas the said dispensation, together with the necessary papers, having been returned, therefore be it,Resolved, that a Charter do issue for the permanent establishment of said Lodge, under the name and style of Great Bridge Lodge No. 257, and appointing Brother C.B. Vance as Master, J.H. Kelly, Jr. as Senior Warden, and A.W. Snow as Junior Warden.Signed: J.S. Price, Frank F. Champion, S. Ellis Davis, C F. Unruh, Sol Baach, F.E. Wagner.

Excerpt from the report of the District Deputy Grand Master for the 35th Masonic District composed of the following lodges: Norfolk Lodge No. 1, At1antic No. 2, Elizabeth No. 34, Doric No. 44, Ruth No. 89, Owens No. 164, Berkley No. 167, Corinthian No. 266, Ocean View No. 335, South Norfolk No. 339, George W. Wright No. 346, and Great Bridge U.D.

“It is also my pleasure to report that Great Bridge Lodge U.D. (the baby lodge) of which I had the pleasure of presenting a dispensation, is doing well and will be an asset to the community and to the fraternity.

Signed: T.G. Harrell D.D.G.M.

On March 13, 1930, our lodge was constituted and dedicated by Most Worshipful William L. Davis, P.G.M. of Virginia and many prominent Masons of the Tidewater area.

The first set of Officer’s Jewels Was presented to the Lodge by Ruth Lodge No. 89 on November 30, 1930.

On September 8, 1930, an agreement was drawn up and signed between the Trustees of the 1odge and the Norfolk County School Board for the lodge to move the old two-story annex building to another site facing Fentress Road (Now Mount Pleasant Road) and close. to the present location of the lodge, with the provision that the brethren use the upstairs for their meetings, with the first floor to be used as a Community Center.

Through the depression years the lodge continued to grow, and dues remained at fifty cents per month, from 1930 until 1950. Wasps were a problem in the old building, and Right-Worshipful E.E. Waterfield was appointed to purchase sulphur candles to help exterminate them. The annual watermelon feast held in August by Great Bridge Lodge seems to have been one of the District highlights, with all the lodges being invited.

The first books for a library were donated to the lodge on June 26, 1935. An eight-volume encyclopedia, ‘History of Masonry”, was presented by Worshipful Brother Livius L. Old.

Worshipful Brother Livius L. Old was nominated as D.D.G.M. designate on September 22, 1937, the first brother nominated to that office from our lodge. He made his first official visit on February 24, 1938. At the close of 1937, the lodge had 55 members.

On February 24, 1938, a committee of A.N. Wi1liamson, A.W. Snow, and R.L. Cox, was appointed to renovate the old building and make plans for a new Temple. In April of the year, each member of the lodge was assessed $1.00 to help pay for painting the Lodge Hall.

The first- visit to Great Bridge Lodge No. 257 by a Grand Master that I could find was on August 27, 1941, when Most Worshipful Clarence D. Freeman visited and addressed the lodge on “Our Obligation”. It was of interest to me that an application for affiliation from Edward Everett Rishel was read that same night and laid over until the next Stated.

On January 28, 1943, a Troop of Boy Scouts was authorized to use the lower floor of the temple. A committee of Brother F.N. Hall, R.L. Cole and E.E. Rishel, were appointed to repair the floors for the Scouts. The lodge, on May 6, 1943, voted to sponsor this group of scouts.

The war years were very trying on our lodge as well as all other lodges in the district with brethren and officers in the service. The Grand Master declared the week of May 30, 1942 to June 4, 1942, as Defense Week. He asked the Masons of Virginia to purchase one half million dollars in Defense Bonds that week. Our lodge purchased two $50.00 bonds.

On June 23, 1943, the Stated Meeting was dispensed with due, to an Air Raid Warning. A petition up for ballot had to be postponed until the July Stated, but due to the absence of the vouchers, was not voted on until the November Stated.

On September 24, 1947, the lodge voted to accept the offer of Brother F.N. Hall for the lot on which our temple now stands for the price of $500.00, and Brother Hall would donate $100.00 of that. On June 22, 1949, plans for the construction of a new brick veneer temple were presented to the lodge and approved. A committee consisting of Brothers E .E. Rishel , Marvin A. Parker, H.B. Carawan, Ernest C. Calhoun, and George A. Wilson, was appointed with full authority to begin construction. The work was started and a well had been driven before the next stated. Brother Marvin A. Parker seems to have been the “spark plug” in raising funds for the new temple. As soon as the committee could raise a few dollars, material was bought, with the brethren doing all of the work. Brothers Ernest C. Calhoun and E .E. Rishel were almost constantly requesting the members of the lodge to come out and help. It is my personal belief that if it hadn’t been for these two dedicated brethren, this temple would have taken another ten years to complete.

On June 24, 1952, the first meeting was held in the new temple with 31 members present. No visitors were recorded by name that night; although, the D.D.G.M. made his Official Visit, and Right Worshipful Willis V. Fentress, Grand Senior Deacon, was present and made an address to the lodge.

Berkley Lodge No. 167 presented the Stationed Officers chairs to the lodge. On January 28, 1953, the deed of trust on the temple and property had been reduced from $4,000.00 to $3,500.00.

At the February Stated that year, the Worshipful Master appointed Right Worshipful E.E. Rishel to write the Grand Worthy Patron of the Eastern Star to inform him, should a chapter be organized in Great Bridge, they might have the use of the new temple. One year later on February 27, 1954, the Eastern Star Chapter was organized.

Great Bridge Lodge presented Kempsville Lodge U.D., their first set of Officer’s Jewels, and a letter of appreciation was read to our lodge on October 87, 1954

Through the years, there are numerous instances in the minutes, where our lodge has helped some brother who has suffered misfortune from illness, fire, etc.

In June 1955, the concrete was poured in the first floor at a cost of $730.61

At the stated meeting or November 23 1955, Brother E.E. Waterfield and Brother E.E. Rishel presented the lodge with a new set of Officer’s Jewels. At his same meeting, Right Worshipful Willis V. Fentress, Deputy Grand Master, presented Worshipful Brother C.B. Vance, our first Worshipful Master, with his; 50-year pin. This is the first record I found of a 50-year presentation. At the same meeting the Deputy Grand Master presented 25 year pins to the following: Brothers F.N. Hall, W.C. Ansell , E.E. Rishel , T.G. Walton, Fred H. Williams, A.N. Williamson, N.B. Walker, and E.E. Waterfield.

On January 25, 1956, a committee was appointed to secure pictures of all of the Past Masters; and place them in a suitable frame.

On May 10, 1956, our Bethel of Job’s Daughters was organized. At the May Stated, the lodge voted to give them the $206.10 necessary to purchase needed equipment to conduct their meetings. At the same meeting, the Trustees were ordered to borrow an additional $4,500.00 to complete the outside of the temple, bringing the total debt to $6,000.00.

On January 26, 1957, there was a turkey shoot held a Brother Nate Oglesby’s, the proceeds of which were to be used to help furnish the kitchen. Through the years the Daughters of America, who also used the temple, made numerous $100.00 contributions to the building fund, kitchen fund, and general treasury.

On November 9, 1957, the 1odge laid the cornerstone of Great Bridge Baptist Chape1 after a dispensation had been issued by Most Worshipful Archer B. Gay. Most Worshipful Willis V. Fentress, P.G.M. acted as Marshal and Reverend Brother Roland P. Wagner gave the oration.

Through 1957, 1956, 1959, 1960 and 1961, a building fund drive was conducted to complete the first floor and retire the note, tile was laid, and work on the kitchen was completed. The Job’s Daughters bought a hot water heater and other organizations helped as they could.

During September 1960, the Great Bridge Chapter, Order of Demolay was organized and sponsored by the lodge.

In January 1961, Job’s Daughters and Demolay were given permission to have Sock Hops on the first floor under certain rules and regulations.

On July 15, 1961, Worshipful Brother Arthur W. Snow, our third Worshipful Master, who had been ill for several years died and was buried with Masonic Services.

On May 30, 1962, a special communication was opened in our lodge at 6:00 P.M. for the purpose of raising Brother Joe Herbert Dabney, and his two sons Charles Eugene Dabney and Jack Berry Dabney. These three brethren made the altar’s three lesser lights, officer’s podiums, and two matching stands which they presented to the lodge prior to the Annual Stated on December 19, 1962.

A carpet fund was established with contributions taken at each stated. In 1963, Bethel No. 37, Job’s Daughters had the five officer’s chairs refinished and reupholstered. The lodge had 240 members that year.

On February 26, 1964, Worshipful Brother C.B. Vance, was presented his sixty year pin, having been raised on December 8, 1903. The presentation was made by Worshipful Jacob H. Kelly, Jr. who had served with him as Senior Warden during the formation and chartering of our lodge. A new roof was installed on the temple. Contributions were made by Job’s Daughters and the Daughters of America.

Great Bridge Royal Arch Chapter U.D. was organized early in 1965. During that year and 1966, improvements were made in the temple; a drop ceiling and new lights was installed, carpet was placed on the floor, dishes were purchased with the Eastern Star donation of $232.00 to defray their cost. Payments were made on the note, and at the c1ose of 1966 the membership was 282.

During 1967, tables and chairs were purchased, flatware was bought, and the 1odge seats upholstered. Membership reached 300.

In 1968, the note was enlarged to cover air conditioning, insulation, and driveway repairs. Worshipful Brother C.B. Vance died October 28, 1968, having completed 64 years, 10 months, and 20 days as a Master Mason. Worshipful M.B. Walker was presented his 60-year pin in November.

1969 was a busy year for the lodge, with 21 brethren raised and a net gain of 15, which brought the membership to 320. A sizeable reduction was made on the note, Middle Chamber Columns and a vacuum cleaner were purchased. 1970 proved to be another busy year as the Fraternity grew throughout the Tidewater area. Our dues were raised to $1.50 per month. Major repairs were made to the roof trusses, and $1,525.00 was paid on the mortgage note.

In 1971, new Officer’s Jewels and Collars were bought. Considerable wiring was done. The bank note was retired; leaving the lodge debt free. Membership was 350.

During 1973, curbing and gutters were put in and the exterior painted. 1973 saw new furnaces installed and new sinks, a range, and an exhaust fan were installed in the kitchen. The Eastern Star Chapter donated $575.00 to help defray the cost. Worshipful M.B. Walker, our oldest member, died September 24, 1973, at age 90. He had been a mason 67 years, 7 months and 25 days.

During 1974, the lodge library was established. Dues were raised to $8.00 per month, and degree fees set at $150.00. A $1,500.00 savings certificate was purchased. The membership stood at 386.

February 5, 1975, Worshipful J.H. Kelly, Jr. passed away, having been a mason over 55 years. New ceiling lights were installed upstairs. With a special dispensation, we journeyed to Orr Lodge No. 104, Washington, N.C. on July 18, 1975 and raised our candidate, Brother William Henry Tiedeman, Jr. – using full Masonic Regalia. Stated meetings were changed from 8:00 P.M. to 7.30 P.M. On November 24, 1975, Brother A.R. Creekmore’s two sons, Fred and Robert, presented him in the East to receive his fifty-year pin. The year closed with 391 members.

1976 and 1977 were busy years with steady growth. Improvements were made to the temple with the lodge membership at 398.

The year 1978 offered another “first” to Great Bridge Lodge when the presiding Grand Master of Masons in Virginia, Most Worshipful Dr. Walter A. Porter installed the lodge officers for that year, including his son-in-law Worshipful J.E. Newbern. The construction work for 1978 included improvements in the parking area. Our membership also reached a new high with 407 members.

As we look to the close of our first fifty years since we received our dispensation, 1979 has been yet another outstanding year. Our attendance has been well above average as we have enjoyed a total attendance of 1,368 and averaged 66 members present for each of our Stated Communications. Our work-nights were also well attended with an average of 24 members present. Best of all, we had a total of 434 visitors in our lodge over the course of the year.

The Worshipful Master had a number of interesting programs and our Grand Master visited us to speak and present 25 and 50-year pins. At the close of the year our membership stood at 414 and the lodge was debt free. We also have a number of candidates working in the degrees.

The first fifty years came to a close at Grand Lodge when our Grand Master presented the lodge with the James Noah Hil1man Award for the ninth year and also presented us with a beautiful 50th year plaque on the fifty-year anniversary of receiving our Charter.

Since 1979 and thru 1991, this lodge has continued to flourish. It has received the James Noah Hillman Award each year since it was established. The membership on November 30, 1991, stood at 441. At Grand Lodge in 1992, the Worshipfu1 Master of 1979, Right Worshipful

Ian McLaurin Shipley, Jr. was elected Grand Junior Deacon of the Grand Lodge of Virginia.

Today, I wish that all of those brethren who nurtured this lodge through the depression years and the struggle to establish this temple could be here to see what their hands have wrought. A lodge is not a building or fancy fixtures, it is the sincere love of one brother for another, the right hand of friendship, the working together for the betterment of all, and a genuine concern for each other’s welfare. I believe they would be justly proud.

References:

Grand Lodge Archives, Minutes Book of Hickory Ground Lodge No. 180

Great Bridge Lodge No. 257 Archives.

The Virginia Masonic Herald, August 1946.

Fifty-Year History of Great Bridge Lodge #257 (1930 to 1980)

Great Bridge Masonic Lodge