Pewee Valley Lodge History
Prior to the year 1910 several attempts had been made to establish a Masonic Lodge in Pewee Valley but without effect. There being several Masons living in Pewee Valley who were desirous of attending lodge meetings and finding it very inconvenient to attend the communications of the neighboring lodges, decided to have a Masonic Lodge located in Pewee Valley and to this end the following brethren: Evan T. Hammond, Alexander S. McFarlan, John F. Harcourt, Charles A. Calvert, John W. Stine, Edgar J. Clore, C.R. Long Jr., W. W. Cox, Dr. R.B. Pryor, Isaac L. Munday and Thomas A. Hancock, after much preliminary work petitioned the Grand Lodge of Kentucky for dispensation which was granted, and on the night of January 7, 1910 the lodge was instituted and set to work under dispensation by order and under personal direction of Bro. John H. Cowley who was at that time Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky. He was assisted by several Grand Officers and other prominent Masons.
Evan T. Hammond was named as the first Master, Alex S. McFarlan first Senior Warden, John F. Harcourt first Junior Warden, Charles A. Calvert first Secretary, Isaac L. Munday first Treasurer, Wallace W. Cox first Sr. Deacon, Dr. R.B. Pryor first Jr. Deacon, and Thomas A. Hancock first Tyler. The Lodge thus became a reality and began work under the most auspicious circumstances.
At first the lodge was named Logos which afterwards changed to Pewee Valley, thereby identifying it with the town. The lodge began work in what was known as the McAllister building (now known as The Olde Sweet Shoppe), the upper story having been remodeled especially for the new lodge. Later when W.N. Jurey was rebuilding his store building, a hardware store, arrangements were made with him to add another story especially for the lodge, and on completion of the building in 1912 the lodge moved to that location which is now known as the Little Colonel Playhouse. From that location, the lodge then moved to its present day location, above the firehouse at 6415 Railroad Ave. in Crestwood, Kentucky.
Below are photos of the first lodge location, the second and the current location in respective order from left to right.
Where did Masonry Originate?
Freemasonry is the oldest fraternity in the world. In a broad sense, the history of Freemasonry may be divided into three periods; the ancient or legendary, the medieval or operative, and the modern or speculative.
During the medieval or operative period, guilds or associations of artisans were formed as operative masons. As artificers in stone, these masons traveled through Europe making use of their skill and secrets of their guilds.
Some historians trace Freemasonry to the 10th Century, B.C., during the building of King Solomon’s Temple. Records reveal that Freemasonry was introduced into England in 926 A.D.
Freemasonry is directly descended from associations of operative masons, the cathedral builders of the Middle Ages, who traveled through Europe employing the secrets and skill of their crafts.
In the 17th Century, when cathedral building was on the decline, many guilds of stone-masons, known as “Operative Masons” or “Free Masons”, started to accept as members those who were not members of masons’ craft, calling the “Speculative Masons” or “Accepted Masons”.
It was from these groups, comprised mostly of “Adopted or Accepted Masons”, that Symbolic Masonry or Freemasonry, as we know it today, had its beginning.
In 1717, Masonry created a formal organization in England when the first Grand Lodge was formed. A Grand Lodge is the administrative body in charge of Masonry in a geographical area. In the United States there is a Grand Lodge for each state and the District of Columbia. Local organizations of Masons are called lodges, there are about 13,200 Lodges in the United States.
What does a Mason do?
The Masonic experience encourages members to become better men, better husbands, better fathers and better citizens. The fraternal bonds formed in the Lodge help build lifelong friendships among men with similar goals and values.
Masons are deeply involved in helping people. The Freemasons of North America contribute more than $2 million a day to charities, representing an unparalleled example of the humanitarian commitment of the Masonic Fraternity. Much of that assistance goes to people who are not Masons. The Shrine Masons operate the nation's largest network of hospitals for burned and orthopedically impaired children, and there is never a fee for treatment. The Scottish Rite of Masons maintain a national network of more than 150 childhood language disorder clinics, centers and programs. Other Masonic organizations sponsor a variety of philanthropies including scholarship programs for students and perform public services in their communities. Masons also enjoy the fellowship of social and recreational activities.
Even though Masons (freemasons) are members of the largest and oldest fraternity in the world, and even though almost everyone has a father or grandfather, or uncle who was a mason, many people aren't quite certain just who masons are.
The answer is simple. A mason (or Freemason) is a member of a fraternity known as Masonry. A fraternity is a group of men who join together to work towards common goals and enjoy each others company.
Joining the Masons
There is one little known aspect of petitioning for membership of which you should be aware. You will not be asked to become a member. Masons in Kentucky do not solicit for membership, we wait for the man to ask for a petition.
Joining a Masonic Lodge is fairly simple, but there are some requirements that must be met.
A Mason must be a man, masonry being a fraternal organization. There are Masonic affiliated groups such as The Order of the Eastern Star which are for women members.
A Mason must be of sound mind and body, which does not mean that you cannot be physically handicapped, many Masons are.
A Mason must believe in God, the tenets of Freemasonry are derived from a belief in the Supreme Being and our goals are derived from the teachings of the same.
A Mason must be 18 years old, this is the minimum age requirement in the State of Kentucky.
If these requirements are met, one thing further is required to join the Masonic organization. The man wishing to become a Mason must seek out his local Masonic Lodge, through its members, and request to join. Masonry does not ask men to join Masonry, but wants its members to be serious about their commitments and exercise their free will in deciding to join the Masons.
Upon making this request, the prospective member will be asked to formally petition the Lodge affirming his qualifications for membership.
