Brief History of Ocean Lodge No.89
Brief History of Ocean Lodge No.89
Written by Harris Goldstein
circa 100th Anniversary
A petition for a lodge to be located at Bricksburg, now Lakewood, in Ocean County was accompanied by a recommendation from Harmony Lodge No. 18, Dated January 9th, 1868.
From 1878 to 1885, Bricksburg passed from an industrial community to a resort town when the shops and furnaces connected with the iron industry were closed. By the spring of 1884 the few faithful members were faced with surrendering the Warrant or moving to Ocean Beach, which is now Belmar.
On May 15, 1884 the first communication was held in what was know as the Freeborn Building on Ninth Ave. From the minutes of December 1887 we learn that a dozen black cubes were purchased for 25 cents.
In the fall of 1887 at the same communication both the EA and the FC Degrees were conferred, but upon different candidates. The next month, at an emergent communication the FC and MM Degrees were conferred.
On the night of December 31st, 1888, the Freeborn Building was destroyed by fire and all the property and paraphernalia of Ocean Lodge was destroyed. Communications were suspended until March 1889 when, by dispensation, the Lodge met in the rooms of Wall Lodge at Manasquan.
That summer the Lodge returned to Belmar. The first Communication was held on June 21st in Hilliears Hall.
At a communication in May 1890, a bill for a magic lantern with slides, after considerable discussion was ordered paid. It seems that in April only $50 had been approved to purchase these items. Several brethren strenuously objected to what they termed “excessive expenditures”.
In the early part of 1897 the Lodge moved to Huyler’s Hall, located on the SW corner of F Street and 10th Ave, and the meeting nights were changed to the 1st and 3rd Thursdays. However misfortune again beset the Lodge and the building was leveled by fire on Nov 10th 1890. This time the loss was partly covered by insurance and the Lodge received $475.
The next Communication was held in Asbury Lodge in Nov 1900. Ocean Lodge continued to meet there until April 1901 when the Lodge returned to Belmar and met in Green’s Hall, 508 F Street.
The next seven years was a period of contentions which threatened the peace and harmony of the Lodge. A number of the brethren demitted and affiliated with other Lodges. Charges were made by one Brother against another. Trials were held and testimony given. Some were found guilty and expelled while others were found to be innocent. Fortunately this period was followed by a decade of growth and prosperity.
In 1912 the By-laws were revised to allow the WM, S & J Wardens to spend up to $10 per case of members in financial distress. The annual dues were increased to $5, $1 of which was to be set aside for charitable purposes. The initiation fee was raised to $30.
In 1922 Spring Lake Lodge No. 239 received a Warrant and 15 members of Ocean Lodge demitted to Spring Lake.
In 1924 a fire in the apartments over the First National Bank gave the members of Ocean Lodge the idea to negotiate with the bank to convert that portion of the building into a Masonic Hall.
A steady increase in membership continued until 1932 when it reached 212. In 1952 the Lodge voted to purchase two building lots on 11th Ave. for $3000. However the purchase was not made, as clear title could not be acquired. Instead it was decided to purchase the JCP&L property jointly with Jordan Lodge No. 247 for $34,000. A down payment of $3,000 was made. The owner of the property required settlement by November 15th which neither lodge could do as they were awaiting Grand Lodge approval.
In 1956 Ocean Lodge assumed the sponsorship of Trinity Chapter, Order of DeMolay. Also the Belmar Wall National Bank informed the lodge that their lease would not renew. Ocean Lodge negotiated to meet at Ocean Grove No. 238 and then acquired a property on 11th Ave, west of the railroad tracks. Plans were drawn, but the erection of a Temple was deferred for lack of funds.
In the summer of 1962 an opportunity to purchase two lots on Route 38 and Maxwell Drive, coupled with a chance to sell the 11th Ave property occurred. Ground breaking occurred on Oct. 20th 1962.
It is a privilege to be a member of Ocean Lodge. The attendance is good, the Degree work is well done and competent speakers who have discussed topics of current as well as Masonic historic interest have proven most enjoyable to the brethren. The friendliness and hospitality of Ocean No. 89 is known throughout the 17th Masonic district. With the continued interest of our brethren, we shall move forward with faith and confidence in the future, trusting in the Great Architect of the Universe to grant unto His divine approbation and blessing (original text).
Thursday, 05 November 2009 13:09
Excerpts of Original Documentation by Edmund C. Moore, Historiancirca 100th Anniversary
A petition for a lodge to be located at Bricksburg, now Lakewood, in Ocean County was accompanied by a recommendation from Harmony Lodge No. 18, Dated January 9th, 1868.
From 1878 to 1885, Bricksburg passed from an industrial community to a resort town when the shops and furnaces connected with the iron industry were closed. By the spring of 1884 the few faithful members were faced with surrendering the Warrant or moving to Ocean Beach, which is now Belmar.
On May 15, 1884 the first communication was held in what was know as the Freeborn Building on Ninth Ave. From the minutes of December 1887 we learn that a dozen black cubes were purchased for 25 cents.
In the fall of 1887 at the same communication both the EA and the FC Degrees were conferred, but upon different candidates. The next month, at an emergent communication the FC and MM Degrees were conferred.
On the night of December 31st, 1888, the Freeborn Building was destroyed by fire and all the property and paraphernalia of Ocean Lodge was destroyed. Communications were suspended until March 1889 when, by dispensation, the Lodge met in the rooms of Wall Lodge at Manasquan.
That summer the Lodge returned to Belmar. The first Communication was held on June 21st in Hilliears Hall.
At a communication in May 1890, a bill for a magic lantern with slides, after considerable discussion was ordered paid. It seems that in April only $50 had been approved to purchase these items. Several brethren strenuously objected to what they termed “excessive expenditures”.
In the early part of 1897 the Lodge moved to Huyler’s Hall, located on the SW corner of F Street and 10th Ave, and the meeting nights were changed to the 1st and 3rd Thursdays. However misfortune again beset the Lodge and the building was leveled by fire on Nov 10th 1890. This time the loss was partly covered by insurance and the Lodge received $475.
The next Communication was held in Asbury Lodge in Nov 1900. Ocean Lodge continued to meet there until April 1901 when the Lodge returned to Belmar and met in Green’s Hall, 508 F Street.
The next seven years was a period of contentions which threatened the peace and harmony of the Lodge. A number of the brethren demitted and affiliated with other Lodges. Charges were made by one Brother against another. Trials were held and testimony given. Some were found guilty and expelled while others were found to be innocent. Fortunately this period was followed by a decade of growth and prosperity.
In 1912 the By-laws were revised to allow the WM, S & J Wardens to spend up to $10 per case of members in financial distress. The annual dues were increased to $5, $1 of which was to be set aside for charitable purposes. The initiation fee was raised to $30.
In 1922 Spring Lake Lodge No. 239 received a Warrant and 15 members of Ocean Lodge demitted to Spring Lake.
In 1924 a fire in the apartments over the First National Bank gave the members of Ocean Lodge the idea to negotiate with the bank to convert that portion of the building into a Masonic Hall.
A steady increase in membership continued until 1932 when it reached 212. In 1952 the Lodge voted to purchase two building lots on 11th Ave. for $3000. However the purchase was not made, as clear title could not be acquired. Instead it was decided to purchase the JCP&L property jointly with Jordan Lodge No. 247 for $34,000. A down payment of $3,000 was made. The owner of the property required settlement by November 15th which neither lodge could do as they were awaiting Grand Lodge approval.
In 1956 Ocean Lodge assumed the sponsorship of Trinity Chapter, Order of DeMolay. Also the Belmar Wall National Bank informed the lodge that their lease would not renew. Ocean Lodge negotiated to meet at Ocean Grove No. 238 and then acquired a property on 11th Ave, west of the railroad tracks. Plans were drawn, but the erection of a Temple was deferred for lack of funds.
In the summer of 1962 an opportunity to purchase two lots on Route 38 and Maxwell Drive, coupled with a chance to sell the 11th Ave property occurred. Ground breaking occurred on Oct. 20th 1962.
It is a privilege to be a member of Ocean Lodge. The attendance is good, the Degree work is well done and competent speakers who have discussed topics of current as well as Masonic historic interest have proven most enjoyable to the brethren. The friendliness and hospitality of Ocean No. 89 is known throughout the 17th Masonic district. With the continued interest of our brethren, we shall move forward with faith and confidence in the future, trusting in the Great Architect of the Universe to grant unto His divine approbation and blessing (original text).