Grand Rapids Lodge No. 34

The history of Grand Rapids Lodge No. 34 is formed from the long history of two other Lodges. The first Lodge came to see the light in the Village of Grand Rapids in 1849 as Grand River Lodge No. 34 and chartered on January 10, 1850. The second Lodge was formed in the new City of Grand Rapids as Valley City Lodge No. 86 and was chartered on January 15, 1857. After 147 years when Valley City was chartered, these two Lodges joined on October 22, 2004, to form the new Lodge of Grand Rapids Lodge No. 34 F. & A. M., the 155th anniversary of Lodge Number 34.

York Lodge No. 410, which was chartered on January 23, 1895, after operating for 123 years, was merged into Grand Rapids Lodge No. 34 on August 25, 2018. At this merger in 2018, the Grand Rapids Lodge No. 34 had been in operation for 168 years and continues the fine traditions laid down from the past; and builds upon these combined lodges to form lasting brotherly fellowships that work together in mastering the craft, and to provide aid and support to fellow Masons, charity work and assistance to the community under the guidance of the Light of the Grand Architect of the Universe.

If you have not been to Lodge lately, come on down. We meet the second Wednesday of each month for our Regular Communications except in July and August. If you are curious Freemasonry, join us for dinner at 6:30pm on the second Wednesday of the month with the regular meeting starting at 7:30PM. Normally no meetings in July and August.

Grand River Lodge No. 34, F. and A. M. Instituted March 19, 1849, under dispensation from the Grand Master of the State. First officers: W. M., Truman H. Lyons: S. W., Ira S. Hatch; J. W., Aaron Dikeman; Treasurer, Harry Eaton; Secretary, Wm. D. Moore; S. D., Julius Granger; J. D., George M. Mills; Tiler, Harry Dean. The officers for 1906 were: W.M., George H. Hobart; S. W., H. T. Baldwin; J. W., Glenn N. Deuel; Secretary, George M. Peacock; Treasurer, Fred H. Hosford; S. D., A. G. Girsberger; J. D., C. S. Cornelius.

Valley City Lodge No. 86, F. and A. M. First meeting under dispensation, Nov. 25, 1856. First officers W. M., Dacid S. Leavitt; S. W., James W. Sligh; J. W., Edward S. Earle; Treasurer, Seymour S. Porter; Secretary, Wm. H. Reynolds. The officers for 1906 were: W. M., J. E. Hyde; S. W., Charles S. Dake; J. W., Richard Brumler; Treasurer, George G. Stetee; Secretary, D. W. Gallup; S. D., Rolland J. Cleland; J. D., Joseph Brown; Tiler, E. S. Cornell.

York Lodge No. 410, F. and A. M. The first meeting looking to forming York Lodge was held April 20, 1904, at the Commandery rooms in the Widdicomb block. Those who asked for the dispensation were Charles Fluhrer, Ed. M. Barnard, Fred H. Ball, Lucius M. Cary, Jno. A. Seymour, Lucius D. Harris, Frank A. Rodgers, Wm. H. Boyns, Frank Wurzburg, Charles E. Fink, Per J. Lundquist, John Gillett, J. Eugene Williams and Milford L. Fitch.

The first meeting under the dispensation, a special communication, was held September 7, 1894, when it was decided to hold the meetings of the lodge Thursday evenings, that the initiation fee should be fifty dollars, and the annual dues two dollars. Chas. Fluher was named in the dispensation as W. M., Edmund M. Barnard as S. W., and Fred H. Ball as J. W., and at this meeting other permanent were chosen as follows:

Treasurer, J. Eugene Williams; Secretary, John A. Seymour; S. D., Lucius D. Harris; J. D., Frank A. Rodgers; Tiler, Noah H. Reynolds. The first regular communication was held on September 13, 1894. The 1906 officers of York were as follows: W. M., H. B. Moore; S. W., Guy Johnston; J. W., Harry E. Rodgers; Secretary, Frank W. Boughton; Treasurer, Hobart B. Miller; Chaplain, J. Herman Randall; S. D., Guy W. Lewis; J. D., S. Eugene Osgood; S. Steward, A. B. Merritt; J. Steward, Fred J. Zwald; Marshal, J. H. P. Hughart; Organist, Phin K. Miller; Tiler, C. L. Davidson.

The Following was created by:

By Illustrious John A. Wallsteadt 33rd Degree, and Michael E. Clark PM January 2019

A Brief History of Grand Rapids Lodge No. 34

The history of Grand Rapids Masonic Lodge No. 34 though short in years, is preceded by the long list of honored and storied accomplishments of Grand River Lodge No. 34, and Valley City Lodge No. 86. These two Lodges, the first to see light in the Village of Grand Rapids in 1849, and the second in the new City of Grand Rapids in 1857 have individually and collectively produced more Grand Masters than any single Lodge in the State of Michigan.

Names, like; Lyon, Rowson, Innes, Strawhecker, Toot, Moore, Wheeler, Coffinberry, Leonard, Leavitt, Sligh, LaBour, Bowring , Griffith and many others  appear in the minutes of not only our Lodge, but those of the MTA and many other Masonic organizations.

In 2003, Valley City Lodge No. 87, merged with Grand River Lodge No. 34 forming Grand Rapids Lodge No. 34. In 2018, York Lodge No. 410 became part of Grand Rapids Lodge No. 34.

Today we celebrate having three Past Grand Masters as active members of our lodge. Members today serve on Grand Lodge committees, including as President of the Michigan Masonic Charitable Association. Grand Rapids Lodge No. 34 has a long history of Officers of the Grand Rapids Masonic Temple Association, and many have served as officers as well as President. We have 33rd Degree and Meritorious Service Award Scottish Rite recipients, many Scottish Rite Masons, York Rite local and Grand officers and members, Saladin Shrine members, Supreme Eastern Star representatives, including a Past Hi-12 State President. We have Brothers who sit on Masonic Charitable Foundations, including the Chairman of the Masonic Wolcott Foundation at George Washington University in Washington, DC. These are just a few of the many Grand Rapids Lodge No. 34 members who provide invaluable service to our Craft.

Grand River Lodge No. 34, the first Masonic Lodge in Grand Rapids, chartered in 1850, merged with Valley City Lodge No. 86, the second Masonic Lodge in Grand Rapids, chartered in 1857, in 2003 by vote of those present at a regular communications of both Lodges strengthening the Craft and combining the leadership of both Lodges into one solid whole.

Grand Rapids Lodge No. 34 continues its leadership role in the Grand Rapids Masonic Center as its members led and supported with time, money and muscle the relocation of the Blue Lodge room from the old Little Lodge Room on the 6th floor to its current location in the large 3rd floor former Eastern Star Room. Two of the three relocations committee members, including the chairman were Grand Rapids 34 members.  Grand Rapids Lodge No. 34 contributed more money toward the project than any other Masonic organization and the hours given in volunteer service to the project are indeed impressive.

It was members of Grand Rapids No. 34 who spearheaded and helped execute the moving of the Grotto Stone from the old Masonic Country Club of West Michigan to the Masonic Center and without whose efforts the project would not have been accomplished.

Grand Rapids Lodge No. 34 was instrumental in the successful 100th Anniversary Centennial Celebration of the laying of the cornerstone of the current Masonic Temple. The leadership included Celebration Chairman, and several key committee members, resulting in one of the most memorable celebration activities in Grand Rapids Masonic Temple history.

Grand Rapids No. 34 continues to grow in members, Masonic service, and excellence of ritual and leadership. We are often asked to host district meeting, lodges of instruction and many other Masonic activities for the benefit of the Craft.

The history of Masonry in Grand Rapids is built on the foundation of Grand Rapids Lodge No. 34. There is much to be proud of and we want to share this history with our Brothers wherever about the earth they are so dispersed.

Yes, it is an exciting time to be a Mason and especially a member of Grand Rapids Lodge No. 34. If you have not been to Lodge lately, come on down. We meet the second Wednesday of each month for our Regular Communication except in July and August. If you can’t find your dues card, or can’t remember the signs and tokens, don’t worry, your Brothers in Grand Rapids No. 34 are here to help you.

Please join us as we continue to make Masonic history.

Michigan Grand Masters from the Grand Rapids Lodge No 34 - Twelve are from the combination Lodges of Grand Rapids Lodge No. 34 (Grand River 34, Valley City 86, York 410).

Grand Master Michigan    Served         Lodge

Lovell Moore                           1864              Grand River 34     https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/86323480/lovell-moore

John W. Champlin                1871               Grand River 34     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_W._Champlin

William Dunham                   1877              Grand River 34

Rufus C. Hatheway               1887              Valley City 86      https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=101622

William P. Innes                     1892              Valley City 86      https://ss.sites.mtu.edu/mhugl/2015/10/11/colonel-william-p-innes/

Edwin L. Bowering                 1895              Valley City 86

John Rowson                         1905              Valley City 86     https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/86122899/john-rowson

Charles A. Donaldson          1926              York 410

Paul O. Strawhecker             1946             Valley City 86

Horace B. Whyte                   1953              York 410

Walter F. Wheeler                 2006             Grand Rapids 34   https://grfilmfarm.org/2013/05/10/walt-wheeler-past-grand-master/

Frank T. Praria                       2010              Grand Rapids 34    https://grfilmfarm.org/2012/03/01/the-legacy-series-frank-t-ted-praria/

 

Their Web Site:  https://34-mi.ourlodgepage.com/

Note: their Web Site is under construction.

Grand Rapids No. 34   Secretary Email: [email protected]