HISTORY OF JAMES W. BELL ALLEN

James W. Bell-Allen Lodge #97 – Chartered 1920, 1963

During the latter part of 1918, approximately 25 men, all residents of the mainline area of Philadelphia, formed a Men's Club for the expressed purpose of being initiated into Freemasonry and establishing a lodge on the mainline. Representatives of this group petitioned the Grand Master of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Brother Robert J. Williams, and as the result, a U.D. Lodge was established on June 5, 1919.

This lodge met in the basement of the Bethel AME Church, Ardmore, PA and on July 5, 1919, 65 brothers were raised to the sublime degree of Master Masons. Brother Arthur Bradford was placed in charge of the U. D. Lodge. In January 1920, the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania presented a Charter to the U.D. Lodge under the name of the James W. Bell #97; F. & A. M. Brother Arthur Bradford was elected Worshipful Master. Walter B. Young, Senior Warden, Charles B. Plant, Junior Warden.

The name selected for the Lodge was in honor of outstanding citizen and freemason, James W. Bell of Olive Branch Lodge #8. They met at Whelens Hall in Ardmore, PA then moved to Doyles Hall in Bryn Mawr, PA, for several years, then Ardmore Fire Hall and later moved to League Hall on Buck Road in Haverford, PA.

In 1930 King William Lodge # 119 of Strafford, PA, merged with James W Bell Lodge and made one lodge on the mainline. They also brought with them a building fund, which was very helpful in purchasing the plot of land. By 1947, the Lodge had formed the James W. Bell Hall Association, which was established for the sole purpose of providing a meeting place for the furtherance of Masonic principles and ideals.

As Chairman of the Building Fund, Past Master Thomas M. Gary provided the leadership required to obtain a Meeting Hall. Bell Lodge moved in their new Hall in September 1963, at 750 Haverford Road, Bryn Mawr, PA.

That same year Leonidas E. Allen Lodge #152 was formed and chartered, with the assistance of brothers from Philadelphia Lodge #74 and King David Lodge #52. In the year 1993, Leonidas E. Allen Lodge # 152 merged with James W. Bell # 97. The new lodge became known as James W. Bell-Allen Lodge #97.

Original Charter of LEA Lodge #152

A few brothers have later became Grand Lodge Officers which include, Rev. Thomas A. Jackmon Sr., who served as M.W. Grand Master (1995-1996, 1998); D. Walker, PM, who served as W. District Lecturer; and Abraham Shaw Jr., W. District Lecturer and later W. District Deputy Grand Master.