WILLIAM R. SINGLETON-HOPE-LEBANON LODGE #7 F.A.A.M. OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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April History Fact of the Month

4/1/2021

 

Wm. R. Singleton # 30

A Brewmaster, A Proposal, and a Singleton Lodge?

So how does the story of Singleton Lodge cross paths with Christian Heurich, the owner of the largest brewery in DC? It's just another typical DC-esque story that involves power, politics, and land. 

Mr. Heurich, in his prime, was the largest landowner in Washington, DC, with the exception of the Federal Government. In 1901, the newly chartered William R. Singleton Lodge #30 was looking to build its own masonic temple in the Tenleytown neighborhood of DC and appointed a committee to find a site. In April 1901, the committee reached out to Mr. Heurich, who owned much of Tenleytown, requesting that he donate a plot on Wisconsin Avenue for the temple. He gladly agreed to do so and drafted up a deed. However, the deed proposed by Mr. Heurich included the following provision:

"And the trustees and their successors will at all times hereafter, whenever required by the said Christian Heurich, his heirs or assigns, sign all applications for license to conduct or carry on the liquor business upon such property, adjacent, adjoining, abutting, contiguous, opposite, or in the neighborhood of such conveyed real estate as may be owned or controlled by the said Christian Heurich, his heirs or assigns, and will not object to or oppose the granting or issuance of said license; and that the said William R. Singleton Lodge, if the law in force shall require its consent to the granting of such license or licenses, will by its proper officer or officers signify such consent in such manner and such form as may be required by law."

The DC Grand Lodge prohibited its member lodges from involving themselves with the business of alcohol. Singleton Lodge countered and proposed a provision whereby the Lodge would not oppose his liquor licenses but that wasn't sufficient for Mr. Heurich and he refused to sign that deed. As a result, Singleton Lodge respectfully backed out of its dealings with Mr. Heurich. A couple of years later a different location was purchased by the Lodge from brother Eli Riley.

Just goes to show you that no good story about DC is without drama, politics, and well...alcohol.  A Brewmaster, A Proposal, and a Singleton Lodge?

So how does the story of Singleton Lodge cross paths with Christian Heurich, the owner of the largest brewery in DC? It's just another typical DC-esque story that involves power, politics, and land. 

Mr. Heurich, in his prime, was the largest landowner in Washington, DC, with the exception of the Federal Government. In 1901, the newly chartered William R. Singleton Lodge #30 was looking to build its own masonic temple in the Tenleytown neighborhood of DC and appointed a committee to find a site. In April 1901, the committee reached out to Mr. Heurich, who owned much of Tenleytown, requesting that he donate a plot on Wisconsin Avenue for the temple. He gladly agreed to do so and drafted up a deed. However, the deed proposed by Mr. Heurich included the following provision:

"And the trustees and their successors will at all times hereafter, whenever required by the said Christian Heurich, his heirs or assigns, sign all applications for license to conduct or carry on the liquor business upon such property, adjacent, adjoining, abutting, contiguous, opposite, or in the neighborhood of such conveyed real estate as may be owned or controlled by the said Christian Heurich, his heirs or assigns, and will not object to or oppose the granting or issuance of said license; and that the said William R. Singleton Lodge, if the law in force shall require its consent to the granting of such license or licenses, will by its proper officer or officers signify such consent in such manner and such form as may be required by law."

The DC Grand Lodge prohibited its member lodges from involving themselves with the business of alcohol. Singleton Lodge countered and proposed a provision whereby the Lodge would not oppose his liquor licenses but that wasn't sufficient for Mr. Heurich and he refused to sign that deed. As a result, Singleton Lodge respectfully backed out of its dealings with Mr. Heurich. A couple of years later a different location was purchased by the Lodge from brother Eli Riley.

Just goes to show you that no good story about DC is without drama, politics, and well...alcohol.  
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March History Fact of the Month

3/1/2021

 

Wm. R. Singleton # 30

Singleton Lodge 40 Years Ago

It is important to look into our history, not only to recognize great events, men, or accomplishments, but to examine how our Lodge used to operate, what traditions existed that were forgotten or remain today, and measure our growth over the years.  Looking back to Singleton Lodge 40 years ago, we are reminded of the constancy of Freemasonry in Singleton Lodge and realize that the strong and noble principles of Brotherly Love and Relief were as strong as they are today.  In that vein, the minutes of the March 1981 Stated Communication do not identify any remarkable events, but ground us in our history and traditions, as well as remind us of our Brethren.

On March 19, 1981, Wm. R. Singleton Lodge #30 held its 1604th Stated Communication. Worshipful Master Deitrick presided over the Communication.  As we do today, minutes were approved, Past Masters were recognized, communications were read, the finances were reported, and fraternal greetings were extended from lodges outside of the jurisdiction.  As it often happens today, the Communication was attended by a Past Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother William Rohrman, who was also an honorary member of Singleton Lodge.  Although invited to the East, "he retired to his favorite seat on the sidelines;" a familiar tradition today.

Most importantly, our Brethren were taking great care of each other.  WB Huson had been visiting with sick and shut-in Brethren, including Brethren that had moved to Florida.  And, Brethren were circulating get-well cards to send to Brethren in the hospital.
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February History Fact of the Month

2/1/2021

 

Barristers Lodge No. 48​

Looking Back 75 Years to Barristers Lodge No. 48
In the year that World War II ended, on December 5, 1945, Brother Kennedy C. Watkins ascended to the East to assume his place in the Oriental chair of Barristers Lodge No. 48 of the Free and Accepted Masons of the District of Columbia for the 1946 Masonic year.  As explained in the minutes, "[t]he newly elected Worshipful Master and Senior Warden were impressively installed by the first Master of Barristers Lodge, Worshipful Brother Warren W. Grimes, our faithful installing officer."

Barristers Lodge had a busy Masonic year.  It held numerous Special Communications to confer degrees upon Brethren--ultimately raising five Master Masons. It also provided a number of programs for the Brethren, including an address by Admiral O.S. Coclough, Judge Advocate General of the Navy, on National Security and an address by General Paul R. Hawlye, Chief Medical Officer of the Veteran's Administration (VA), on medical activities of the VA.

After a successful year, the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the District of Columbia, William E. Schooley, "commented very favorably on the activities of the Lodge and on its status as of the end of the Masonic Year."
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January History Fact of the Month

1/1/2021

 

William R. Singleton # 30

​On January 7, 1919 at the height of the 1918 flu pandemic, Brother William B. Dobie of William R. Singleton #30 passed on to the celestial lodge above after suffering double pneumonia. Brother Dobie was the former manager of the Morrison Paper Company, which was located at 1009 D Street, Washington, DC. In the month of January alone, Singleton Lodge lost three brothers and several members were sick (including WM Ernest Wilkins) presumably due to the pandemic. 
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December History Fact of the Month

12/1/2020

 

Barristers Lodge No. 48

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​On December 4, 1940, Barristers Lodge No. 48 elected and installed Herbert S. Fessenden as Worshipful Master. WB Fessenden was a Special Assistant to the Attorney General of the United States and a member of the Supreme Court bar. He was also a member of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution because he was the great-great-grandson of Nathan Fessenden, a member of the Massachusetts Minute Men. Nathan served in Captain John's Parker's company in the famous Battle of Lexington as well as the Battle of Bunker Hill.

November History Fact of the Month

11/1/2020

 

Barristers Lodge No. 48

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This November, we look back to Barristers Lodge No. 48 in 1973.  The Stated Communication, although brief to move to the Grand Lodge Visitation in conjunction with Centennial Lodge No. 14 and Theodore Roosevelt Lodge No. 44, was presided over by Worshipful Master O. Harold Folk (seated on the left).

Worshipful Brother Folk, born in Moselle, SC, was a veteran, government official, and businessman in the Washington, DC area.  He moved to Washington, DC in 1938 to work for the Agriculture Department, but was called to active duty in the Army for World War II and assigned to the Selective Service in Washington, DC.   

For his service, he received the Distinguished Service Award and the Gold Medal. Following the war, Worshipful Brother Folk joined the World Bank and specialized in Middle Eastern affairs, serving as an advisory to King Saud of Saudi Arabia from 1960 to 1962. Masonically, he became a 32nd degree Mason and served as Potentate of the Almas Temple of the Shrine.

​During the Grand Visitation in November 1973, Worshipful Brother Folk was presented at the altar for his receipt of his Certificate of Service as Master.

October History Fact of the Month

10/1/2020

 

Lebanon Lodge No. 7

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On October 10, 1911, Lebanon Lodge #7 hosted the final event of its week-long Centennial Celebration at the New Willard Hotel. As a parting gift for ladies in attendance, the Lodge handed out this handsome souvenir pin which included the Masonic square and compasses with a tall cedar of Lebanon. The history doesn't end there. This specific pin depicted in the image above was given to Minnie M. (Tomlinson) Sparrow, the wife of Brother Frederick Kroeber Sparrow.

Brother Sparrow was raised as a Master Maston on August 2, 1907 and was a direct descendant of Thomas Sparrow, one of Baltimore County's first land grants and the namesake of Sparrow's Point and other famous "Sparrow" locations throughout Maryland. Brother Sparrow was a veteran of the Spanish War and a member of General Nelson A. Miles Post. He passed to the celestial lodge above on April 8, 1942 and was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.

​Brother Sparrow and Minnie had a son, Thomas Kroeber Sparrow, Jr., who went on to become a famous American mycologist. His wife, Anna (Gabler) Sparrow, inherited this pin from Minnie and bequeathed it to her granddaughter Emily Sparrow upon her passing. Emily simply wanted to learn more about this pin and contacted Singleton Lodge earlier this month. She was over the moon that we were able to deliver her this very detailed history of the pin.

September History Fact of the Month

9/1/2020

 

Wm. R. Singleton No. 30

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​Did you know that Singleton Lodge conferred the FC Degree upon a Congressman from Georgia? At the Stated Communication held on September 19, 1968, the Brethren of Singleton welcomed Bro. William Stuckey from Eastman Lodge #279, Eastman, Georgia and conferred the FC Degree upon him. After the degree was conferred, Bro. Stuckey presented a discussion to the Brethren on his position in Congress and the issues of the times. The discussion was well received by the Brethren.

July History Fact of the Month

7/1/2020

 

Lebanon Lodge No. 7

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​The data provided above provides a history of the cost of membership in Lebanon Lodge until 1970, when data is used from Singleton Lodge. This data was found by scouring meeting minutes from multiple years from Lebanon, Hope, and Singleton Lodges.

June History Fact of the Month

6/1/2020

 

Wm. R. Singleton No. 30

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​On March 22, 1918, the Brethren of William R. Singleton #30 called a Special Communication to discuss a decision that would create a legacy. On this day, the Brethren received a report from a committee appointed to investigate the relationship between the Lodge and the William R. Singleton Temple Association. The committee reported “that it be the sense [of the Lodge] that steps be taken to acquire ownership of the Temple and the ground upon which it stands…and that a committee of three be appointed to proceed at once to consummate this project.” It was at this meeting that the quest to acquire the Lodge that we still use to this day began. Let this miraculous work by our Brethren over 100 years ago serve as motivation to what we can accomplish today for our posterity.

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4441 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington DC, 20016  - (202) 810-3750 - Info@SingletonLodge.com 

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Making good men better for more than 200 years.

  • Home
  • What is Freemasonry?
    • General Information
    • How to Become a Mason
    • Masonic Organizations
    • Recommended Resources
  • About Singleton Lodge
    • Welcome Message
    • Lodge History >
      • History of our Lodge
      • Historic Facts Blog
    • 2023 Lodge Officers
    • Lodge Activities >
      • Calendar
      • Social Events
      • Charity & Philanthropy
      • DCCK Partnership
    • Get More Info / Contact Us >
      • Sign up for our Newsletter
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      • General Inquiries
      • Masonic Funeral Rites Request
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