THE MASONS

The information below comes from a Mason's Membership Roster from 1971.

Paul Revere Masonic Lodge No. 321, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, began on May 4, 1923 when 11 Masons met at the old fire barn at present-day 36th and Brunswick.  

On August 24, 1923, an application for Dispensation to form a regular Masonic Lodge was signed by 48 Master Masons and forwarded to the Grand Lodge, A.F.&A.M. of Minnesota. 

The Dispensation was granted and on September 28, 1923 the first meeting of the Lodge U.D. was held in the Odd Fellows Hall in the Hamilton Building.  The first officers of the lodge, U.D., who were appointed by the Grand Master, were Brothers Joseph F. Elias, John K. Seirup, and Edwin H. Renner. The Lodge held 21 meetings while working Under Dispensation.

The charter was issued on January 17, 1924 "by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Minnesota, to whose Constitutions, Regulations, Laws, Rules and Edicts, the most implicit respect and obedience shall ever be paid by this Lodge and its members."

On February 2, 1924 "our dreams and hopes reached fruition," and the Grand Lodge of Masons in Minnesota held an Occasional Communication in St. Louis Park for the purpose of constituting Paul Revere Lodge.  "It was a gala event and the culmination of almost a year's efforts of a large group of Masons inspired with a deep sense of responsibility to the Masonic Fraternity."

The first official meeting was held on February 8, 1924 with 70 charter members.

The group rented the I.O.O.F. meeting hall on the second floor of the Hamilton Building (6509 Walker Street) until 1943 when they bought the entire building from Charles Hamilton's estate for $5,000. The Hamilton Building burned down on December 25, 1958.

The Masons built their new Temple on the same location, laying the cornerstone on October 1, 1960.  Construction cost was about $150,000.

2007

MEMBERSHIP:

1924:  70

1940:  113

1950:  453
1960:  861
1970:  1,018

Associated organizations include:

Eastern Star, Acacia Chapter No. 272
OES Jobs Daughters Bethel No. 41 - teenage girls
DeMolay - teenage boys

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This information comes from a variety of sources: newspapers, books, yearbooks, phone directories, interviews, etc. Given the varied sources, we cannot guarantee that all of this information is correct, and welcome any additions and corrections. Please contact us with your contributions and comments.