Smyrna Historical & Genelogical Society

2861 Atlanta Street, Smyrna, Georgia

Lives and Times   1986 – 1987  SH&GS Library

Volume 01 - Number 05 - October/November 1986 - Page 3-4

NELMS LODGE NUMBER 323 

FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS

The Smyrna Nelms Lodge is celebrated its one hundredth anniversary in November of this year. The following abbreviated history is from Harold Smith's History of Smyrna. 1982©, however, the Lodge donated a more comprehensive history to the Society earlier in this year, and it is available to Society members on request. The 100 years of officers is reprinted directly from that history.

The Nelms Lodge was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Georgia on November 12, 1886, and has been active since. With the exception of the First Baptist Church and the Methodist Church, it is the oldest continuous organization in the city.

Months of planning and work went into the organizational effort by a group of Smyrna men, and in the forefront of all this activity was John W. Nelms. who was a member of the Kennesaw Lodge, Number 33. The lodge minutes of November 4, 1886, reflect that the lodge was named in Nelms honor for his activity and his special interest and ability in getting the Grand Lodge of Georgia to make a special dispensation for the organization of the Smyrna group.

The first meeting place for the group was in "Legg's Hall" which was the meeting place of the Nick-A-Jack Lodge of the International Order of Odd Fellows- An arrangement had been worked out with the I OOF whereby Nelms Lodge would pay $25.00 per year for use of the building and they would provide their own coal and coal oil for heating and lighting, as well as their own janitor for cleaning.

The site of that building was on Atlanta Street, near the present intersection of Powder Springs Street. It adjoined the lot of the Smyrna (First) Baptist Church. About a year and a half later on March 15, 1888, a building committee consisting of T. P. Whit- field (the Lodge's first master), J. H- Cantrell, J. L. Reed, J. M. Stone, and T. D. Power, was appointed to seek out a new location.

The October 27, 1888, minutes of the First Baptist Church reveal that the deacons were authorized to communicate with the members of the Masonic Lodge in regards to selling them a piece of land for the purpose of building a Masonic Lodge and school house on. The sale took place on November 8, 1888, and a deed of record showed the church sold the Masons a lot 51 by 82 for $30.00. A two story frame building was constructed there with the Nelms Lodge using the second floor and a school using the first floor. The building remained there until March 30, 1925, when it burned as a result of having caught fire when flames from the Smyrna Baptist Church spread to the the Lodge. Both buildings, and a residence were destroyed, along with everything the Masons owned, except the records which were at the home of a member.

About two years before the fire, in 1923, the Lodge had purchased historic old Smyrna Boy's Academy building on West Spring Street (present location of Nelms Lodge) which had been constructed about 1840. And for about two weeks at the beginning of the War Between the States, the building and surrounding area was used as the first officers training headquarters for the Confederates. It was referred to as Camp Joseph E. Brown. After the battle of Smyrna Camp Ground on July 4. 1864, the building was used as a hospital both by the Confederate and Union armies. It was the only building left standing in Smyrna when Sherman burned his way through Georgia.

In the 1870's and 80's the building was used by the Smyrna Presbyterian Church as a center of worship, and it was in this building that the Smyrna Baptist Church was organized in 1884.

In 1905 the Presbyterians sold it to the Smyrna Board of Education for $1600, and from then until shortly before the Mason's purchased it, it was used as an elementary and high school.

In 1954 a second building committee was appointed, and after a thorough investigation the committee recommended that the old building be torn down and a new structure of brick replace it. Demolition started on the old building on march 8, 1954, and on September 18, 1954, . the Nelms Lodge held its first meeting in the new building, surrounded by unfinished fl lors, wa I Is and ceiIi ngs. The Interior of the but IdIng was compIeted i n 1955.

In addition to proving a meeting place for the Masons, Order of Eastern Star, Order of Rainbow, Demo I ay, Royal Arch, and Council on the second floor, the first floor has housed Wayne's 5 & 10 store, the Smyrna Post Office, and Diahn's Answering Service.

A major renovation program in late 1980 and early 1981. almost doubled the floor space and a gable roof was added to the old fI at-top building.

The charter members of the Lodge were reported in Volume 1, Number 2 of Lives and Times but are repeated here for those who did not receive that number-

Thomas P. Whitfield

John H. CantrelI

Benjamin F. Mackey

John H. Turner

John L. Reed

John R. Kendley

John W. Stone

James R. Love

J. W- Dodgen

William H. Bladwln

Stephen W. Blair

John W. Nelms

Thomas H. Hooper

John W. Irelan

A. T. Hill

NELMS OFFICERS — 1986

Front Row (Left to Right): Billy Gibson -Chaplain; Fred Brack - Secretary; Sam Whitfield - Treasurer; Loyd Brookshire, Jr. - Worshipful Master; Ray Pruitt - Senior Warden; Hoyt Singleton - Junior Warden; Back Row (Left to Right): Ralph Dacus - Senior Deacon; Don McKinney - Junior Deacon; Frank Hall - Senior Steward; Don Cheek - Junior Steward; Everett Cox - Third Steward; John Heaton - Director of Work.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF NELMS LODGE NO. 323

FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS

CHARTERED NOVEMBER 12, 1886 

INSTITUTED DECEMBER 2, 1886

In the Fall of 1886, after much discussion relative to the establishment of a Masonic Lodge in Smyrna, a need for a Leader was felt among all the Brethren.

This need was fulfilled with the coming of JOHN W. NELMS from Kennesaw Lodge No. 33 in Marietta in October 1886.

Brother Nelms went to the Grand Lodge and sought a Charter. Since the Grand Lodge was reluctant to issue a Charter, due to ---so many Georgia Lodges defaulting, Brother Nelms (it is said) paid Per Capita Dues for two years out of his own funds in order that a Lodge might be established in Smyrna.

Through his leadership, the Lodge received its Charter on November 12, 1886, and the Lodge was duly instituted on December 2, 1886.

The Brethren negotiated with the Nick-A-Jack IOOF Brethren meeting in "Legg's Hall (where now stands Shell Service Station) to rent the Hall for $12.00 per month. This site cemented the Lodge.

On March 15, 1888, a Committee was appointed to "see about getting a better meeting place." They wanted a place to stake their stock while attending Lodge. This Committee was com­ posed of T. P. Whitfield, J. H. Cantrell, J. L. Reed, J.M. Stone and T. D. Power. They proposed to the Lodge that they buy the lot adjoining the First Baptist Church in the hollow (below the present Sub-Station) and build a Lodge so school could be held on the ground floor. The recommendation was accepted, so they bought the lot from the First Baptist Church for $30.0O. The lot was bought November 9, 1888.

The Lodge remained in this location until "disaster struck on December 30, 1925 - when fire destroyed the building. The lodge Records, fortunately, were saved, as well as a

Determination among the Brethren that Nelms Lodge would continue. And continue - IT DID!

It became known previously (1923) that the "OLD SCHOOL BUILDING" on west Spring Street could be bought.

So now, with no place to hold meetings, A Committee was appointed to look into the matter.

In April 1923 the present site was purchased, and after the fire in 1925, $1,000. insurance was received. With this money the Brethren set about to ready the dilapidated old building. With the assistance of all members the building was readied, and school was held on the ground floor, and the Lodge met on the upper floor.

The Lodge grew in this Location, which was to seal forever the permanent existence of NELMS LODGE No. 323 F&AM!

In 1949 a Committee was appointed to see about building a new building, but the estimate of $87,000.00 scared them off!

But again, in 1950, when it became known that the Post Office might rent the ground floor, A building Committee was a pointed to build a building (adjacent to the present building) for the Post Office. The Post Office rented the new structure, and through rental money, the Lodge was beginning to pay off all indebtedness. The original Post Office building was leased on April 9, 1951.

THEN IT HAPPENED! It was noted by the Brethren that the floor sills were retreating from the walls of the old building an4 considered unsafe. (The building had been condemned some 20 years previous).

A new Building Committee was appointed in 1954 to explore the possibilities and financial conditions of erecting a new building which would include the original Post Office Building, with a modern Lodge Room overhead.

After investigations with Finance Institutions and the Post Office Authorities, The Building Committee was empowered by the Lodge to proceed. This was a "Golden Night" of the Lodge - since the Committee DID proceed!

Demolition of the "old building" began on March 8, 1954.

2-13-54 -  Conferred with possible tenant for first floor.

3-01-54 -  Ordered Wrecking Permit from City of Smyrna.

3-03-54 - Building Loan Approved.

3-03-54 -  Members met and began moving furniture and fixtures out of the Lodge. Gas cut Off.

3-06-54 -  Grand lodge issued Dispensation to hold meetings at the Smyrna Elementary School.

3-06-54 - Made last pictures of "old Building" (Pictures are hung in the Lodge).

3-06-54 - Kennesaw Lodge offered Brethren their Hall while we were under construction.

3-08-54 - Wreckers removed windows and casings.

3-12-54 - Roof removed.

3-13-54 - Ceiling beams down.

3-16-54 - Walls coming down.

3-20-54 - Wreckers finished!

3-23-54 - Old brick pushed in the hollow.

3-24-54 - Bull-Dozer leveled lot.

3-26-54 - Excavation for basement began.

4-01-54 - Trenches for footings dug.

4-03-54 - Paid Wreckers - $500. Check No. 1840.

5-10-54 - Loan Papers si nea by Building Committee. (McGehee, White and Camp)•

5-17-54 - "Wheel-Barrow Brigade" - moving dirt so that beams could be set at basement level.

5-25-54 - Beams for second floor - raised.

6-14-54 - Building Committee ( Kreeger, Bailey and Camp) met with City Council regarding sidewalks.

6-28-54 - Concrete for second floor poured. Walls began.

7-01-54 - Aluminum ceiling for Post Office ordered.

8-04-54 - Building Committee ordered exhaust fans and coping for windows and top ledge of building

NOTE:

9-18-54 - First meeting in the New Hall! Met on raw concrete and unfinished interior, but it was WONDERFUL!

9-28-55 - Duct work for Air Conditioning and Heating Installed.

11-14-55 - Ceiling installed.

11-27-55 - Furnace delivered.

12-03-55 - Heat first turned on. SURE FEElS GOOD!

2-21-56 - Decided to hold "Called Communication" to ask donations from members to finish interior.

3-10-56 - Called Communication. Herman Talmadge, speaker.

Needed $7,500.00 to complete interior, and

$6,610.00 was pledged!

3-19-56 - Started Plastering Walls.

4-02-56 - Ceramic tile in rest rooms installed.

4-04-56 - Carpentry work on risers completed.

4-05-56 - Tile laid in front Lobby.

4-22-56 - Washed windows and put down base boards and mold.

4-25-56 - Tile installed on risers.

5-04-56 - Beautiful Red Carpet Laid!

5-05-56 - Red Plush seats installed (This completed the interior work asked for at Called Communication).

7-16-56 -  Officers Chairs Ordered from Roswell Firm.

8-01-56 - Screens delivered and installed by the Brethren.

9-20-58 - Lease signed ,iqith the United States Post Office.

4-18-59 - Post Office portion completed and ready for occupancy.

- - - - - - - -

All members of Nelms Lodge should be proud of our new modern building. Not forgetting the many, many Master Masons in the years gone before, who contributed time and money so that we, today, may enjoy a wonderful Lodge, and a wonderful place in which to meet. Our Brethren of the past struggled through Oyster Suppers, Possum Suppers, etc., to raise the necessary funds - all of which was to guarantee the future ex1stance of Nelms Lodge!

May we ever appreciate, and not forget, the many trials and hardships incurred by our Father Masons so that we may exist through the years to come!

Facts Compiled By:

Leslie M. Camp, Secy. 1960