JERRY PRESTON, P.M.

I have learned much about the history of Freemasonry in Ann Arbor in preparing for this presentation. As many of you know, I have resided in this area only a few years and know very little about Freemasonry in Ann Arbor from personal history. However, thanks to several Masonic historians, I have found information compiled from several publications that I have used for the development of this presentation. Our gratitude is to Past Master Harrison H. Caswell, who prepared a historical sketch for the 1965 centennial of Golden Rule Lodge. Also to Past Master Leigh C. Anderson and Brother Gaylord N. Bebout, Jr., who prepared a similar work for Fraternity Lodge in 1970. Finally, I must acknowledge Past Master Robert Sevebeck, who wrote the second addendum to Caswell's Ann Arbor Masonic Temple history, continuing the collection of information through 1980.

As I begin the research, I soon learned that the history of Golden Rule Lodge is entwined with the history of the founding of the city of Ann Arbor, and while Golden Rule Lodge is the fourth lodge formed in the city, for a complete understanding of the beginnings of the Lodge, one must also look at the beginnings of the city and the three lodges preceding Golden Rule Lodge.

On February 24, 1824, John Allen, of Virginia, and Elisha Rumsey, of New York, arrived from Detroit in a one-horse sleigh, to the wilderness area now known as Ann Arbor, with the intention of establishing a town and selling land for profit. Allen set up a tent and later built a log blockhouse very near the present northwest corner of Huron and Main Streets. Rumsey, at the same time, built his house near Allen Creek, at what is now the southwest corner of Huron and First Streets. The city is named after the names of the wives of Allen and Rumsey and the arbor like setting where their homes were built. Both wives being named Ann, the area became known as Anns’ Arbor. Later, Anns’ Arbor was simply changed to Ann Arbor and is the only city in the world so named.

Rumsey and his wife took in travelers, and their place near Allen Creek came to be known as the Washtenaw Coffee House. Allen’s house, which he sold to his brother James, was enlarged and was operated as Allen’s Tavern.

It was at Allen’s Tavern that local and transient Masons met and where the first Masonic Lodge, Western Star No. 6, on January 16, 1827, received its dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Michigan. The Grand Lodge of Michigan itself had just been organized the preceding June by five lodges operating under the Grand Lodge of New York.

On Tuesday, January 30, 1827, the Grand Lodge, in extraordinary session, met in Ann Arbor at Allen's Tavern, to consecrate the new lodge and install its officers. Afterwards, a festive ball was held which men whose names today are legend attended. Some who attended were: General Lewis Cass, Governor of the Michigan Territory and Grand Master of Masons in Michigan; Judge Witherell; General Learned; General John Schwartz, operator of the Emily, the largest schooner on the Detroit River; Colonel Pray; and Judge Samuel Dexter.

In spite of this auspicious beginning, however, Western Star No. 6 was short lived, as at that very moment, the country was in turmoil over the infamous “Morgan Incident.” When anti-Masonry fever struck Michigan a few months later, the Grand Lodge of Michigan suspended work in the Territory and passed out of existence in 1829, not to be reestablished until 1844.

Here in Washtenaw County, no less Masons than John Allen and Judge Samuel Dexter, who were founders of Western Star No. 6, turned against the Craft and became their enemies. Judge Dexter bought the “Western Emigrant,” the first newspaper in Ann Arbor, and used it to publish his anti-Masonic views.

Judge Dexter also ran for Congress in 1831 on the Anti-Masonry ticket and carried Washtenaw County, although Austin Wing eventually defeated him on the Democratic-Masonic ticket that carried the Territory. Western Star Lodge quickly disintegrated, and its charter and records were lost.

It was not until 1841 that the climate was favorable for a revival of Masonry in Michigan. An attempt was made to revive the first Grand Lodge of Michigan. Martin Davis of Ann Arbor, Worshipful Master of Western Star No. 6, was an active participant. It was not until September 17, 1844, that the present Grand Lodge of Michigan was reorganized under the auspices of the Grand Lodge of New York. A group of Ann Arbor Masons received a charter for Oriental Lodge No. 15 on January 13, 1847, and at the same time, Phoenix Lodge No. 13, in Ypsilanti, was chartered.

Oriental Lodge is also interesting to us today, as its name clung to the building at 109 North Main Street, where it occupied the third floor. A tavern on the first floor came to be known as “The Orient” after Oriental Lodge, and is familiar to University of Michigan alumni the world over, as they sing, “I want to go back to Michigan, to dear Ann Arbor town, back to Joe’s and The Orient, back to some of the money we spent.”

The short life of Oriental Lodge was ended by “gold rush” fever and a dissension among the members. Old members and new settlers from the East caused a rift in the lodge. One group got together and voted to settle up the lodge affairs and turn over the property, money and charter to the Grand Lodge. The last Communication was held on August 13, 1856, granting demits to most of the members. The Grand Lodge formally revoked the charter of Oriental Lodge at its meeting in 1858.

While one group of brothers was busy disbanding Oriental Lodge No. 15, a group who had previously been granted demits, petitioned the Grand Lodge and formed Ann Arbor Lodge No. 85. This third lodge in Ann Arbor's Masonic history took over the lease and the furniture of Oriental Lodge and continued work at the “Orient” for the next thirteen years.

Ann Arbor Lodge No. 85 was suspended when it was discovered that its charter had mysteriously disappeared. Several stories have been passed down to explain this mystery. However, the most believable is the fact that the several ranks of Masonry now occupying the overcrowded quarters were bruised from living too close and had differing opinions on providing new quarters or expanding the present ones. Ann Arbor Commandery No. 13 had been organized in June of 1865, and their needs for locker and drill space added to the confusion. Ann Arbor Lodge No. 85, however, apparently was satisfied with their present quarters.

It was during this period of confusion that a feeling for a new Blue Lodge was aroused, and this led to the creation of the fourth Blue Lodge in Ann Arbor, to be known as Golden Rule Lodge No. 159.

From the spirit prevailing among the brothers of Ann Arbor at that time, it would appear that the name Golden Rule was a natural for the new Blue Lodge.

Golden Rule Lodge began operating Under Dispensation on August 17, 1864.

The first candidate to petition Golden Rule Lodge was Robert G. Miller, a clerk by occupation, twenty-three years old and a resident of Ann Arbor. He was the first brother to be raised to the sublime degree on October 27, 1864. He was elected our first regular Secretary in January of 1865, reelected in January, 1866, and on May 24, 1866, Golden Rule Lodge issued its first demit to Brother Miller. I found no explanation as to why Brother Miller requested a demit after less than two years as a member of our Lodge.

At the first meeting of Golden Rule Lodge Under Dispensation, fees for degrees were set at $18.00, and dues at $2.00. They also resolved that the Regular Communication of Golden Rule Lodge would be on the Thursday on or preceding the full of the moon.

The Grand Lodge of Michigan installed the first officers of Golden Rule Lodge. The installation ceremonies took place at the Methodist Church on the west side of State Street, between east Huron and Washington Street.

Golden Rule Lodge No. 159 made arrangements with Ann Arbor Lodge No. 85, to use the facilities of Masonic Hall above the Oriental Tavern, at a rental charge of $25 per month.

The first year of operation was a busy one, with the report to Grand Lodge listing membership at forty-one, sixteen raised, five rejected and three admitted on demits.

In the meeting of our lodge of July 31, 1866 the committee on Lodge Rooms reported “that no further consideration be given to proposals for renting Lodge Rooms and that a committee be appointed to act with other like committees from Ann Arbor Lodge Ann Arbor Commandery and Washtenaw Chapter to look into plans for building a new Masonic Temple.” When the committee made its first report, it was indicated that Chapter and Commandery were agreeable to the idea, but that Ann Arbor Lodge No. 85 did not agree with the need for new Lodge Rooms.

On January 21, 1869, a communication was received from Ann Arbor Commandery stating that they had made arrangements for new Lodge Rooms in a new building then under construction at 215-217 South Main Street, and the schedule of rentals would cost Golden Rule Lodge $125.00 per year, payable quarterly. A motion was passed that the invitation be accepted and that an appropriation of $350.00 be made to cover the cost of fitting up the new quarters and that loans from surpluses be made to the Chapter and Commandery if they so desired for that purpose. This was the second building to be used by Masons in Ann Arbor.

The peace and harmony of Masonry in Ann Arbor ran into difficulty over this action of Ann Arbor Commandery in arranging for the new lodge rooms in the new building on South Main Street. Ann Arbor Lodge was not in favor of making the change, as they held the lease on the old Masonic Hall above the Oriental Tavern, as well as a claim to ownership of the lodge furniture and paraphernalia. It was at this time that the mystery of the lost charter occurred. In 1870, the Grand Master, in is Annual Communication and because of the suspicious nature of the lost charter, revoked the powers of Ann Arbor Lodge and appointed Brother G. H. Rhodes receiver and ordered that the books, real and other property are now in his possession. Rhodes was a member of Golden Rule Lodge, and under his direction, the property and assets of Ann Arbor Lodge No. 85 were disposed of by dividing the ownership between the Masonic bodies occupying the new South Main quarters.

Shortly following the demise of Ann Arbor Lodge, a petition for a new lodge, to be known as Fraternity Lodge, was filed with the Grand Lodge of Michigan. Thirteen former members signed the petition and the officers of Ann Arbor Lodge No. 85, who legend has it, knew more about the lost charter than has been revealed.

At last, all was well, and for several years, the four Masonic bodies met in harmony in much better facilities than were available in the Oriental Tavern.

It also is noted that the lines of jurisdiction were not well defined or not being adhered to by Ypsilanti’s Phoenix Lodge. There are several communications on the subject and one interesting case where Phoenix Lodge conferred all three degrees on a candidate, living in Ann Arbor “who had been rejected by Golden Rule Lodge when he had been seen intoxicated on the public streets of the city.”

In March of 1881, another committee was appointed to act with like committees to once again arrange for new quarters. In 1885, the committee made a report that was enthusiastically received by all Masonic bodies using the now crowded quarters on South Main Street. The proposal was to move to the third floor of a building on the northwest corner of main and Huron Streets. The cost was to be $500.00 per year on a twenty-year lease. The rent was to be divided with Golden Rule and Fraternity Lodges paying $100.00 each, Washtenaw Chapter 5125.00, and Ann Arbor Commandery $175.00. $1,000.00 was appropriated for the preparation of the Hall, and the expense was to be shared equally by the four bodies. It is interesting to note here that Golden Rule Lodge took the following action: “That a committee be appointed to purchase two pillars, wardens columns, working tools, candle lights, stewards rods, hour glass, at a cost not to exceed $200.00, the same to be placed in the new hall by our lodge for the use of all Masonic bodies as an expression of our good will and friendship towards the fraternity.” Milan Lodge paid $50.00 for the old columns etc.

Ann Arbor Masonry was now back on the same corner that it started from some sixty years earlier. The new hall, the third home of Ann Arbor Masonry, was dedicated on September 24, 1885.

During this time, it is interesting to note that part of the regular order of business was the policy of making loans to members of Golden Rule Lodge. One of the principal functions of the Finance Committee was making collections for both the principal and interest from these loans. Of interest is the number of brothers who were brought up on charges for failure to live up to obligations. One example “That on the 12th of January 1884, S.B.R. did borrow from Golden Rule Lodge the sum of $100.00 upon his solemn pledge, first that he would abstain from the use of all intoxicating liquors and that he would faithfully pay the same so borrowed when due, both of which he failed to keep. That the said S.B.R. did on the 10th day of August, 1884, in the encampment at Island Lake drink spirituous liquors in violation of his pledge. A11 of which is in violation of his sacred obligation and the undersigned, the Junior Warden, therefore prays that the honor and dignity of Free Masonry be vindicated by the exercise of Masonic discipline upon the aforesaid Brother if the aforesaid charges shall be sustained.”

On February 1, 1891, the following action was recorded. Fees were raised to $30.00, the purchase of one Bay City Street Railway Bond for $500.00, to investigate new robes for the craft team, and to investigate replacing the gaslights with electric lights.

In December 1889, membership was at 210.

An invitation was received from Milan Lodge No. 323, to attend the dedication of their new Masonic Temple on October 12, 1892.

In June 1894, action was taken by the Masonic bodies to permit the use of the Lodge Room by the O.E.S., they paying only for lights and janitor services.

In September 1896, the committee on a trowel to be presented to candidates with Golden Rule insignia engraved on it, made its report and was approved. An order of two hundred was placed at a cost of $101.00.

In December of that year, the Finance Committee recommended that no more cigars be furnished the Brothers following lunches. The reason stated was “that these members should have the interest of Masonry at heart to attend Lodge without these added inducements.”

In March 1897, dues were reduced to $1.00 a year.

There appears to be some indecision on the amount of dues that should be charged, as in July 6, 1899, two years later, dues were again raised to $2.00.

On August 2, 1900, the Baseball Committee reported that Golden Rule won the game with Fraternity Lodge, with an expense of $8.20.

At the close of the century, our Lodge was reported to be “financially healthy with $2,940.81 in the treasury and a continued interest in charity.” Membership was 276.

Telephones were provided in the Lodge Room and in the Secretary's home. There was a continued cooperative spirit between the two Blue Lodges, with joint installation, Past Masters nights and a “joint purpose in all things pertaining to the operation of the Temple.”

On January 3, 1901, action was taken to remit the dues of Brothers over seventy years of age, and on March 7, 1901, we find the first indication of the thinking on the future of a Masonic Temple building “that Golden Rule Lodge enter into a hearty cooperation with the action taken by the other Masonic Bodies in the matter of formulating plans looking towards the erection of a Masonic Temple and a committee of three be appointed to confer with like committees from the other Masonic Bodies for that purpose. “

A communication was received from the Grand secretary referring to the death of Brother William McKinley, President of the United States, and ordering that the memorial be spread upon the records and that the Altar and Lights be draped for a period of sixty days.

The first note of honorary memberships conferred by Golden Rule Lodge was on December 5, 1901, when this honor was conferred upon two officers of Fraternity Lodge, John Lindenschmidt and Thomas Corbett. These Brothers were later Masters of Fraternity Lodge in 1902 and 1903.

On March 4, 1909, another committee was appointed to investigate the building of a Masonic Temple, and in May 1910, the committee reported that they had located a site on South Fourth Avenue, between Liberty and William Streets, which could be purchased for $17,650.00. An appeal for funds was gratifying, with Golden Rule loaning $3,000.00 to the newly formed Masonic Temple Association and Fraternity Lodge loaning $1,500.00. The committee signed personal notes at the bank for the balance. The Association was incorporated July 19, 1910.

Fund raising was slow and came almost to a stop with the event of World War I.

On May 6, 1919, the committee hired a fund raising firm to raise $125,000.00. This firm had been successful in raising funds for similar Masonic Temple projects. The first indication of costs of the new temple building was noted May 21, 1921, at $234,000.00. e borrowed from the bank. This would allow the new corporation to carry out their plans.

On August 18, 1942, the 327 South Fourth Avenue Corporation was created and prepared to enter the foreclosure sale of the Masonic Temple. The new corporation's bid of $29,007.55 fortunately was the only bid on the property, and the property was conferred to the new corporation on May 2, 1944.

The new corporation at first was very successful managing the property. However, in the In the meantime, on October 20, 1920, Golden Rule Lodge accepted an invitation to be the guests of Jackson Lodge No 50, at the raising by our Worshipful Master of his father, I. F. Bonisteel, of Jackson. Two special cars on the D.J. & C. Electric Railway were reserved for the members of Golden Rule and the Ann Arbor Masonic Band. Upon arrival in Jackson, the band marched to the Jackson Masonic Temple where a banquet was served to six hundred Brothers, with Jackson Lodge providing apples and cigars for the return trip to Ann Arbor. To commemorate the occasion, Jackson Lodge presented Golden Rule Lodge with a 10” x 12” Altar Bible, which was appropriately inscribed as a memento of the visitation.

In July, 1921, a committee from Golden Rule acting with a like committee from Fraternity reported favorably and recommended the two lodges give their full support to the forming of a DeMolay chapter in Ann Arbor.

The Temple Association advised Golden Rule that the ceremony of the turning of the first sod for the construction of the new Masonic Temple would be held October 10, 1921.

Grand Master Clark W. MacKenzie laid the cornerstone for the new Masonic Temple June 28, 1922, with an appropriate number of officers representing Golden Rule Lodge.

Golden Rule and Fraternity Lodges jointly held the first Masonic meeting in the new Masonic Temple Friday afternoon, February 27, 1925. Both Lodges were opened in the third degree under special dispensation at 1:30 p.m. “The Lodge Room was then thrown open to the invited guests. The Grand Master and other Grand Lodge Officers were welcomed with appropriate Grand Honors. The Masonic Temple, with all its apartments, halls, corridors, furniture and appurtenances, were duly dedicated to Masonic purposes according to ancient form and usage. At 6:00 p.m., the Brethren and their ladies formed in procession and marched to the dining room, where the ladies of the O.E.S. prepared a real banquet for them.”

On August 20, 1926, the Grand Lodge of Michigan issued a dispensation for a third Blue Lodge in Ann Arbor. Its Charter was issued as of May 24, 1927. The officers and most of the members of Ann Arbor Lodge No. 544 were mostly employees of the University of Michigan.

Membership in Golden Rule Lodge hit its peak at 1,036 in 1926.

October 1929, of course, was devastating to the nation, although Ann Arbor, with the University, was not as hard hit as other parts of the country. Membership continued to decline throughout the 1930s and hit its low point at that time of 556 in 1941.

Because of this decline in membership, the Temple Association was experiencing severe financial difficulties during this period as well.

Several attempts to restructure the finances of the Temple Association failed. However, on December 3, 1942, Brothers Fasquelle and Hooper attended the Regular Annual Meeting of Golden Rule Lodge for the purpose of explaining their plan for creating a new corporation to take over the mortgage on the temple property that was nearing foreclosure. Golden Rule Lodge enthusiastically embraced the plan and pledged $8,000.00 from its reserve fund and $9,200.00 to b late 1940s and early 1950s, financial difficulties continued to stalk the Temple Board. All types of fundraisers were held, including the rental of the building for “Saturday Night Dances.” The building continued to deteriorate with maintenance piling up. The roof needed repairs, the furnace was giving trouble and the walls, ceilings and halls all needed attention.

On November 15, 1956, the Temple Board had the good fortune to rent to the Bendix Corporation to take over most of the lower floors, leaving the fourth floor and the director’s room and the library on the third floor for Masonic activities. This lease lasted for eight years and allowed the Temple Board to repair the roof, repair brickwork, install a new gas burning heating plant, a new kitchen, and to blacktop the parking lots. In general, the temple was once again in a good state of repair.

By 1972, taxes and other expenses were greater than income, and the temple was put up for sale. The hope was to realize $300,000.00 from its sale and that the Masonic bodies would be in a position to rent the fourth floor for Masonic work.

When the Federal Government took interest in the building, it seemed that prayers were answered. Sale of the building would allow for the construction of a smaller more efficient building. However, this was not to be.

To quote Brother Sevebeck, “The GSA did a complete appraisal on the property, and made an offer of $121,250.00.” Of course, we refused the offer, and after several months, they returned with a last offer of $139,000.00 - take it or leave it. Again, we refused their generosity.

The next move by the GSA was a notice that they had taken the property by condemnation and would pay us the $121,000.00. We were served with an order of eviction by the U. S. District Court in Detroit, and we had to vacate by March 1st, 1974. We also received a check for the smaller offer.

An attorney, Brother Burt Burgoyne, of Golden Rule Lodge, was engaged on a contingency basis, the end result of days of hearings was an order that the government pay a total of $200,000.00.

The various Masonic bodies moved to locations throughout the county, with Golden Rule Lodge renting space at Saline.

While not broke or destitute, the Temple Association could in no way replicate the downtown temple building.

Land was obtained here on West Liberty in Scio Township, and on September 23, 1978, a Grand Lodge team performed the dedication ceremonies.

Past Master of Golden Rule Lodge Robert Sevebeck concludes “It may be Brothers that, in the years to come, when now unborn eyes will read this account of the Masonic movement in Ann Arbor, you, our successors, who will carry on the Masonic traditions, will understand and appreciate the countless hours of planning and struggle to keep these traditions alive that have been expended by your predecessors. May we ever continue to promote the Masonic tenets: Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. So Mote It Be.”

Again, our thanks to Past Master Harrison H. Caswell, Past Master; Leigh C. Anderson; Brother Gaylord N. Bebout, Jr.; and Past Master Robert Sevebeck, all of whom undoubtedly put in thousands of hours in compiling the information which is the source of this presentation.