Lodge History

On Tuesday, December 13, 1864, while the armies of Lee and Grant were locked in deadly conflict at Petersburg, Sheridan was burning his way through the Valley, and the Confederacy was quickly dying, an event of little importance nationally, but of great importance in Bridgewater, occurred. This event was the chartering of Eureka Lodge, Number 195, of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

When chartered, Eureka Lodge had fifty-two members, forty-five Master Masons and seven Entered Apprentices. The original officers of the Eureka Lodge in 1864 were Dr. T.H. B. Brown, Worshipful Master; P. H Snyder, Senior Warden; John Williamson Jr., Junior Warden; Philander Herring, Secretary; Fred K. Speck, Treasurer: Jno. S. Brown, Senior Deacon,; George W. Fraley, Junior Deacon; and R. Wright, Tiler and Steward.

The Charter members of Eureka Lodge were respected and substantial citizens and the civic and political leaders in the Town of Bridgewater and surrounding community. Two of the Charter members, John S. and Wm. R. Brown, had helped organize and had led the Bridgewater Grays, a company of Soldiers recruited at the outbreak of the Civil War. John had been Captain of the Company; and Wm. Had been First Lieutenant in it. Still other Charter members, Philander Herring and Colonel E. F. Armstrong, served in the Virginia House of Delegates. It is clear to see that the Lodge’s founding fathers were men of distinction and importance in the community.

Since the records of Eureka Lodge are sketchy from 1864 to May 11, 1871 (Reconstruction period here in the South), it is not known exactly when the first Masonic building was erected. Town records suggest it was constructed in 1867 and that Wm. F. Pifer, a Charter member of the Lodge, was the contractor and builder. Both the town and Lodge records further suggest that this first Masonic building was built by a stock company with the Bridgewater Building Association owning eighty-eight shares of the stock company. There were several years of dispute over deeds and ownership of the Lodge building before in 1883 the Lodge came into legal possession of the third floor of the Masonic Temple building as long as it was to be used for Masonic purposes.

The original Lodge Hall underwent many changes over the years. In 1904, Eight electric lights were installed, replacing the old Kerosene Lamps. The electric light bill was fifty cents per month. In June of 1908, the upper room was updated and new carpeting was installed at the cost of $200. In October 1927, just before the depression of 1929 and early 30’s, the Lodge ordered repainting, re-papering, and re-carpeted at a cost of $350. The Lodge could not pay for the work, and so it took out a loan. This note was not paid in full until February 1943, fifteen years later. The Hall was once more renovated in 1955-56 at the cost of $4,313.11.

Lodge finances are always of interest, so no history would be complete without some interesting facts. When Eureka Lodge was organized in 1864, the annual dues were $2.00 and fees for initiation, passing, and raising were $20.00. In 1905, annual dues increased to $3.00; and the dues for initiation, passing and raising were increased to $25.00. By 1925, the dues for initiation, passing and raising were upped to $40.00. In 1952, annual dues jumped to $7.00; and the fees for progressing through the levels was raised to $50.00. In 1964, annual dues had evened out at $10.00, and $60 fees were expected to reaching Master Mason.

Throughout Eureka Lodge history, it has cared for its own and its community. For example, the minutes show that the Lodge paid nurses to care for its sick members, bought its needy ones clothes, and paid the funeral expenses of its indigent ones. In 1874, the Lodge contributed $7.50 for the relief of brother J.L. Fisher in his last illness, paid for his burial clothes, and contributed $5.00 for the relief of his widow. In 1883, it paid Mrs. Emma shank for nursing Brother Russell Wright, had him moved at the Lodge’s expense, and paid $15.00 for his coffin at his death. In 1911, the Lodge paid for the transportation of one of its destitute and ill brothers, from California to his the home of his daughter in Indiana where he later died.

There is more to come but as you can see our love for Eureka 195 stems from it’s wonderful history. There is more to come so check back again. Thank you for your patience while we make this page something we can all be proud of.