Brief History of Wall Lodge No.73
Brief History of Wall Lodge No.73
Written by Harris Goldstein
In the year 1865, just at the end of the war between the States, this lodge was formed and obtained the first of many rooms.
The Building Committee secured a room, negotiated a lease and reported that it would cost $133.50 to repair and fix up the room for the lodge to meet. Thus commenced the Lodge Room problem of Wall Lodge.
The Lodge moved from room to room in the Squan Village nineteen times before the turn of the century. The reasons for moving are seldom given, but one move was from a room in a hotel owned and operated by member, because it failed to provide sufficient spittoons.
Another time a move contemplated for a lack of sufficient heat was averted in the nick of time by the decision of the lodge to spend eight dollars for a stove.
In the middle of the 1920’s, the Royal Arch Chapter which had been established in the town back in the eighties (1880s), decided to build a building. Much of the expected funds were in the form of pledges, and as it turned out; much of the money was in wishful thinking.
Skipping the horrible details, the building, a beautiful one, instead of costing the anticipated $80,000, eventually cost $179,000. To raise this additional amount the Association sold $79,000 of bonds. The bonds were to pay interest at 6%, The building was occupied in 1927.
During the depths of the depression the Goodwin Chapter, Royal Arch, dropped in membership from 750 to 50 and had to reduce the dues to five dollars a year.
In 1933 the Association could no longer pay interest on the bonds, but the bodies continued to occupy the building, paying rent to the treasurer of the Association, one of our lodge members, who, by the way, frequently had to use his own money to keep the building in operation. This state of affairs continued until September 1953 when the building changed hands and the bodies had to move.
When the lodge was suddenly forced to move, the only Lodge to offer a sanctuary was Durand Lodge in Point Pleasant. That is something that this Lodge should never forget.
Shortly after moving, members formed the “Manasquan Craftsman’s Club“, later renamed the “Manasquan Brotherhood”.
A very few years ago the Methodist congregation that formerly occupied this building decided to combine with a congregation in Spring Lake. This building which was erected to God in the year 1875, might again be usefully occupied by God-fearing Men and continue to be dedicated to his work, although in a somewhat different way.
But a very few and sincere and dedicated men, knew that with an honest and wholehearted expenditure of effort, this building would be the Lodge home; would be as beautiful as you see it here tonight, and with the help of the Fraternity and the aiding hand of God, would prove to be a happy and restful haven until that day when the Lodge can return to the place of its birth, Squan Village.
Thursday, 05 November 2009 13:08
Excerpts from the 1966 booklet by Paul Martin, PMIn the year 1865, just at the end of the war between the States, this lodge was formed and obtained the first of many rooms.
The Building Committee secured a room, negotiated a lease and reported that it would cost $133.50 to repair and fix up the room for the lodge to meet. Thus commenced the Lodge Room problem of Wall Lodge.
The Lodge moved from room to room in the Squan Village nineteen times before the turn of the century. The reasons for moving are seldom given, but one move was from a room in a hotel owned and operated by member, because it failed to provide sufficient spittoons.
Another time a move contemplated for a lack of sufficient heat was averted in the nick of time by the decision of the lodge to spend eight dollars for a stove.
In the middle of the 1920’s, the Royal Arch Chapter which had been established in the town back in the eighties (1880s), decided to build a building. Much of the expected funds were in the form of pledges, and as it turned out; much of the money was in wishful thinking.
Skipping the horrible details, the building, a beautiful one, instead of costing the anticipated $80,000, eventually cost $179,000. To raise this additional amount the Association sold $79,000 of bonds. The bonds were to pay interest at 6%, The building was occupied in 1927.
During the depths of the depression the Goodwin Chapter, Royal Arch, dropped in membership from 750 to 50 and had to reduce the dues to five dollars a year.
In 1933 the Association could no longer pay interest on the bonds, but the bodies continued to occupy the building, paying rent to the treasurer of the Association, one of our lodge members, who, by the way, frequently had to use his own money to keep the building in operation. This state of affairs continued until September 1953 when the building changed hands and the bodies had to move.
When the lodge was suddenly forced to move, the only Lodge to offer a sanctuary was Durand Lodge in Point Pleasant. That is something that this Lodge should never forget.
Shortly after moving, members formed the “Manasquan Craftsman’s Club“, later renamed the “Manasquan Brotherhood”.
A very few years ago the Methodist congregation that formerly occupied this building decided to combine with a congregation in Spring Lake. This building which was erected to God in the year 1875, might again be usefully occupied by God-fearing Men and continue to be dedicated to his work, although in a somewhat different way.
But a very few and sincere and dedicated men, knew that with an honest and wholehearted expenditure of effort, this building would be the Lodge home; would be as beautiful as you see it here tonight, and with the help of the Fraternity and the aiding hand of God, would prove to be a happy and restful haven until that day when the Lodge can return to the place of its birth, Squan Village.