Taylor Lodge History

Taylor Masonic Lodge #98 A.F. & A.M. written by Secretary Robert Hunsicker on 9/5/2017

        Taylor Masonic Lodge #98 celebrated its 167th year since being formed on December 27, 1850, only 25 years after the first settlement in the town or vicinity on record.   Taylor Lodge #98 is named in honor of Christopher G. Y. Taylor, Past Grand Master of the State of Illinois from October 1850 – September 1851. He passed away on September 5, 1851 at age 45. As we all know a lodge cannot be named for a living person, and since the official formation of Taylor Lodge #98 happened only a month later, the founding members wanted to honor Past Grand Master Taylor.  Members of the lodge come from all social and economic backgrounds and Freemasonry teaches men to meet on the level and respect each other.

        “The first meeting of a Masonic Lodge in Washington was called at 2:00 P.M. on the 27th day of December, 1850. The Lodge was called Washington Lodge under dispensation and was so called until October 5, 1851, when a charter was granted by the Grand Lodge of Illinois; it was the 98th Lodge chartered in this state, and the name Taylor Lodge was adopted.”   The first bylaws of Taylor Lodge #98 were adopted from Peoria Lodge #15, which was chartered on October 4, 1842 and merged into Temple Lodge #46 in Peoria on April 17, 1995.

        “A search has been unable to identify where the first Lodge Hall was located; but in September, 1891, the Lodge built a third floor on a two-story building located behind the present Heiple Building, and was owned by the father of Brother Rae C. Heiple. They remained there until January, 1923, when they rented the second floor of the then new Esser Building over what is now” Lori’s Kitchen Store & RE/MAX Office (2017). “They remained there fifty years, until constructing the present building on Wilmor Road, which was occupied in April, 1973.”  

        As you all know, Freemasonry celebrated its 300th anniversary on June 24, 1717. This date signifies when four London Lodges, which had existed for some time, came together at the Goose and Gridiron Tavern in St. Paul’s Churchyard, declared themselves a Grand Lodge and elected Anthony Sayer as their Grand Master. This was the first Grand Lodge in the world.  Taylor lodge was proud to join in with all lodges around the State in having an Open House for the public to come in and ask questions about Freemasonry as well as lodge fellowship.

        Freemasonry has a strong foundation in history, with ties to numerous organizations and fraternities. The purpose of Freemasonry is to take good men and make them better. It is not a competition, but rather a self-journey to improvement. It is a personal choice to join and has a foundation in a belief in some form of a higher power and helping others.

        Taylor Lodge raises money for many programs, including Washington Community High School scholarships (graduates specializing in vocational studies), Eureka HS Scholarship (started by Wm. C. Hobbs lodge, merged with Taylor in 1999), IL-CHIP events (Child Identification program), Illinois Masonic Academic Bowl team sponsorship (WCHS), Eagle Scout recognition items, Masonic Widow fruit baskets (for lodge widows), Masonic Youth Groups (DeMolay, Rainbow Girls, Job's Daughters), Non-Masonic Youth Group team sponsorship (softball, football, baseball, etc), Shriners Children Hospitals, IL Masonic Children’s Assistance Program, and various community events (Fall cookout, Easter Egg hunt that are open to the public).  Taylor lodge members enjoy all of these activities as well as activities for its members: Annual Awards Night dinner, Christmas Party, fellowship activities.

        Taylor Lodge hosts an all you can eat breakfast open to the public on the third Saturday of the month from September to May from 7 – 10 AM (featuring scrambled eggs, biscuits, gravy, sausage, hash browns, pancakes, French toast, fruit cocktail, grits, orange juice, coffee & milk). Taylor was also proud to host breakfasts for the Washington Community High School Varsity football team & their coaches during their 2017 post season playoff games with help from the 12th Man group & parents.

References:

    History of Washington, Illinois Sesquicentennial 1825-1975, pg. 117-118, URL: https://archive.org/details/historyofwashing00vale

    Author: Everett R. Turnbull - The Rise and Progress of Freemasonry in Illinois, 1783 - 1952, pg. 330-331, URL: https://archive.org/details/riseprogressoffr00turn

    Author: Ralph Omholt  - Goose and Gridiron Ale-House and the Four Original Lodges, URL: http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/goose_and_gridiron_ale-house.htm

Freemasonry history

Wm. C. Hobbs Lodge # 306 (Eureka, IL)

Past Masters (merged with Taylor Lodge #98 on August 3, 1999):

Washburn Lodge #421 (Washburn, IL)

Past Masters (merged with Taylor Lodge #98 on July 26, 2004):