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Beaverton Lodge No.100 AF&AM
4690 SW Watson Ave.
Beaverton, OR 97005
(503)644-3882
Lodge Officers
| Worshipful Master: | Greg Birger |
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| Senior Warden: | Greg Jackson |
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| Junior Warden: | Billy Douglas |
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| Senior Deacon: | Ted Balestreri |
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| Junior Deacon: | Rick Komraus |
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| Senior Steward: | Garry Weiner |
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| Junior Steward: | Bryan Bukin |
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| Secretary: | Ken Lafler |
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| Treasurer: | Dan Gray |
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| Chaplan: | Don Martin |
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| Marshall For Life: | E.T. Pickerell |
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| Tyler: | Phil Myers |
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| Trestleboard Newsletter Editor: | Ken Lafler |
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| WebSite Editor: | Bill Erickson |
History of Beaverton Lodge
On February 28, 1891, Brother F.M. Robinson and six other Master Masons from nearby Tuality Lodge No. 6 in Hillsboro, Oregon, applied to the Oregon Grand Lodge for a Dispensation to start a new Lodge in Beaverton. The Dispensation was granted on March 11, 1891, and the first meeting of Beaverton Lodge held on June 2, 1891, with 8 Master Masons present. The official Lodge Charter is dated June 11, 1891, with the following charter members:
| F.M. Robinson | Worshipful Master | |
| George W. Stitt | Senior Warden | |
| Thomas B. Tucker | Junior Warden | |
| William Tucker | Treasurer | |
| C.W. Allen | Secretary | |
| J.N. Fisher | Junior Deacon | |
| William L. Pike | Tyler | |
| George Tucker |
On July 18, 1891, The Lodge was duly constituted under the authority of the Oregon Grand Lodge. The Past Master degree was conferred on Brother F.M. Robinson and the Lodge decleared duly constituted by Right Worshipful Bro. A. Thurlow, Acting Grand Junior Warden. The charter members were then duly installed and Beaverton Lodge No. 100 A.F.&A.M. became a reality, receiving its first petition for degrees in June 30, and accepting it's first petition for affiliation on September 1st.
First meetings were held in the Squire Building at the northwest corner of Hall and Broadway. Equipment for the Lodge was supplied by Tuality and other neighboring Lodges, with many items being built by the new members.
On August 13, 1894, a fire destroyed the building, along with almost all the Lodge equipment. Fortunately, the Lodge Charter was with Worshipful Master A.B. Cady, and the Minute book was with the Secretary, Bro. G.W. Stitt.
After the fire, meetings were held in the old Grange Hall then located on the southwest corner of Farmington Road and Angel streets.
The early years of Beaverton Lodge were tough for the small group, with some financial difficulties due to the fire and limited resources of the members. Lodge equipment was gradually purchased or built by members over the next 30 years, and some financial support came in from Tuality, Holbrook and other nearby Lodges.
In 1906, Beaverton Lodge finally acquired an apprentice mason costume worn by new candidates during their initiation. Prior to this, a candidate was required to bring for his degree his own long underwear, and the metallic buttons that were common for the times removed and replaced with string.
On December 17, 1907, the charter of the Lodge was lifted by the Grand Lodge in a controversy over charges brought against a Brother who owned a "Liquor Saloon". The Lodge remained dark until October 17, 1908, when the Charter was restored, officers installed, and the Lodge again became active.
Meetings in the early 1900's were held on the first Tuesday before a full Moon, a custom followed by many masonic lodges to allow the members to use the light of the Moon as an aid for finding their way.
The Lodge moved in 1912 to Morse Hall, near the current Beaverton Pharmacy, and gradually grew in size over the course of the 1900's.
In 1911, a committee was formed to look into building a Temple for the lodge. A piece of property on Farmington Road near Watsom was purchased from a Lodge member, but was eventually sold.
In 1914 meetings were held at Cady Hall, now called the Manning Building, at a rental fee of $2.50 per meeting.
In 1924 two lots were purchased for a future Lodge building for $2000.00. Plans were presented in 1927 for raising funds for the building of a Temple, but serious activity didn't get underway until 1937.
The years of the Great Depression were difficult for all Lodges, so in 1933 Grand Lodge dues were remitted to assist them financially.
In 1939, after approval from the Grand Lodge, the current Lodge building was built at a cost of $17,000 for material. All labor was volunteer, except for plumbing. The first meeting held in the new Temple on September 7th.
In 1943, many brothers were called into the service during WWII. The membership agreed that any member called to active duty would be able to resume his place in the officer line upon his return. Many members began returning in 1945.
At the February 1945 Stated Communication it was announced the the mortgage on the building was down to $300. A collection was taken at the meeting for the $300 and turned over to the Building Association.
In 1953, a number of masons from Beaverton Lodge petitioned to form a new lodge, and received a Dispensation from the Grand Lodge to form Meridian Lodge No. 217 in 1954. Meridian Lodge remained active until 1974, when they petitioned to consolidate back with Beaverton Lodge on November 7th, 1974.
As part of Beaverton's celebration of the nation's Bi-Centennial, Beaverton Lodge participated with a float drawn by horses provided by WB Don McIness.
Our extensive library got its start in 1980 with the large donation of books and materials from Brother Vilas J. Brown. The actual room was set up in 1990-91 and became known as the Edward Holman Memorial Library as a result of a bequest in his will.
Sources:
"History of Beaverton Lodge", William H. Kent, PM, 1962.
"Highlights 100 Years: Beaverton Masonic Lodge No. 100 A.F.&A.M. 1891-1991", Robert J. Brass, PM, 1991.