Brief History of Spring Lake Lodge No.239
Brief History of Spring Lake Lodge No.239
Written by Harris Goldstein
From May 9, 1922 to December 26, 1922 our meetings were held in Wall Lodge No. 73, Manasquan, 11 meetings in all. From March 22, 1923 to November 27, 1923, 8 months, our Masonic communications were held in Ocean Lodge No. 89, Belmar while our own meeting rooms were being re-built.
The building which we currently hold our lodge meetings was originally Spring Lake Public School and constructed in 1898 and supervised by WB Mounts for many years.
Early in 1930 hard times befell the Spring Lake Masonic Corporation as was experienced by the whole country. On regular motion January 23, 1934 the Master appointed a committee of three to meet with the mortgagee, Somerville Bank, to surrender the building and thereby cancel any personal liability of the members who had signed the bond.
Late in 1934 we received a letter form the Boro of Spring Lake stating that it had taken possession of the building and that the Lodge could continue renting on a month to month basis at $500 a year. That amount we continued to pay until 1969; then the fee was increased to $1000 per year.
Alas, another committee was appointed to investigate the possible purchase of the Temple building. On reporting back and after considerable discussion, it was found that the building and lot would cost $25,000, heating about $1,200 and maintenance $1,000 per year. Being that we were then paying a minimum rent of $500 per annum, the matter was shelved.
Feb 12, 1935: Brother Walter Tully, who had been an orderly to President Lincoln gave a very enlightening talk in our Lodge on his close association with the President.
Sept 22, 1953: A letter from RW GS informed us that NJ Masons have the privilege of dual membership form this date indefinably. At the Grand Session in April this year (1964) it was decided that Past Masters, Masters and all Lodge members could bring their code books out of darkness and use them openly to do Masonic work.
February 11, 1969: In that the Lodge appeared to be following in the footsteps of our national government in deficit spending, recommendations were made to increase dues to $20.50 per year.
November 24, 1970: At our annual communication it was stated that there has always been a Marrucci acting as Installing Officer, except for two years. On one of those years WB Dangler w[as] filling in for him and is noted to have said, “By the power invested in me by WB Frank Marucci….”
Albert Thompson, Historian
Editors Note: In 1979, Spring Lake Lodge merged with Wall No. 73 at 559 Church St., Spring Lake Heights.
Thursday, 05 November 2009 13:06
Excerpts from the 50 year booklet, 1972
On May 5 1922 the Grand Lodge of New Jersey met in emergent communication in Ocean Grove for the purpose of constituting Spring Lake Lodge, No. 239.
We had forty-seven charter members at the end of this first year: most of whom had demitted from Ocean and Wall Lodges to affiliate with the new Lodge. Nine of this first Masonic staff were Past Masters.
On May 5 1922 the Grand Lodge of New Jersey met in emergent communication in Ocean Grove for the purpose of constituting Spring Lake Lodge, No. 239.
We had forty-seven charter members at the end of this first year: most of whom had demitted from Ocean and Wall Lodges to affiliate with the new Lodge. Nine of this first Masonic staff were Past Masters.
From May 9, 1922 to December 26, 1922 our meetings were held in Wall Lodge No. 73, Manasquan, 11 meetings in all. From March 22, 1923 to November 27, 1923, 8 months, our Masonic communications were held in Ocean Lodge No. 89, Belmar while our own meeting rooms were being re-built.
The building which we currently hold our lodge meetings was originally Spring Lake Public School and constructed in 1898 and supervised by WB Mounts for many years.
Early in 1930 hard times befell the Spring Lake Masonic Corporation as was experienced by the whole country. On regular motion January 23, 1934 the Master appointed a committee of three to meet with the mortgagee, Somerville Bank, to surrender the building and thereby cancel any personal liability of the members who had signed the bond.
Late in 1934 we received a letter form the Boro of Spring Lake stating that it had taken possession of the building and that the Lodge could continue renting on a month to month basis at $500 a year. That amount we continued to pay until 1969; then the fee was increased to $1000 per year.
Alas, another committee was appointed to investigate the possible purchase of the Temple building. On reporting back and after considerable discussion, it was found that the building and lot would cost $25,000, heating about $1,200 and maintenance $1,000 per year. Being that we were then paying a minimum rent of $500 per annum, the matter was shelved.
Feb 12, 1935: Brother Walter Tully, who had been an orderly to President Lincoln gave a very enlightening talk in our Lodge on his close association with the President.
Sept 22, 1953: A letter from RW GS informed us that NJ Masons have the privilege of dual membership form this date indefinably. At the Grand Session in April this year (1964) it was decided that Past Masters, Masters and all Lodge members could bring their code books out of darkness and use them openly to do Masonic work.
February 11, 1969: In that the Lodge appeared to be following in the footsteps of our national government in deficit spending, recommendations were made to increase dues to $20.50 per year.
November 24, 1970: At our annual communication it was stated that there has always been a Marrucci acting as Installing Officer, except for two years. On one of those years WB Dangler w[as] filling in for him and is noted to have said, “By the power invested in me by WB Frank Marucci….”
Albert Thompson, Historian
Editors Note: In 1979, Spring Lake Lodge merged with Wall No. 73 at 559 Church St., Spring Lake Heights.