The Lodge vs The Building - A Rant

[Brother JC]

Legend tells us that at one time we met on high hills and in low vales. History tells us that we once met in rooms above taverns and in private libraries. Today it is all too often that we hear the phrase, "Lose your building and you'll lose your Charter." When did this happen? When did a Lodge become the building we meet in, instead of the Body of Masons who truly constitutes it?

It is a rather simple and frequently used process to obtain a Special Dispensation to hold Lodge in a cave, a lineman's tent, on a mountain, in the building we used to use, or myriad other locations. Heck, we even formed a Lodge on the moon! Why then is it so important that we attempt to keep some of these buildings open?

I understand fighting for historic edifices, beautifully crafted in a by-gone era, but let's be honest, some of our buildings are just plain ugly and have no more historic value than any other cinderblock pre-fab that was thrown up in the '50s or '60s. They look like an abandoned machine shop from the outside and don't smell much better on the inside.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not an advocate for the wholesale destruction and sale of all of our properties. As I said, there are many that should be fought for, and I've been involved in one of those fights, for a building belonging to an Appendant body I'm not even a member of. But I think we all need to remember what truly makes a Lodge, and, like with the broken dollhouse in the garage, need to realize when it's time to let go.

 

[Blake Bowden]

I agree 100%! A couple of years ago I noticed there was a stated meeting at a Lodge in our district. Since I've never attended Lodge there, I decided to pay the Brethren a visit. Upon arriving I was literally in shock and to say the building was old and run down would be an understatement. When I walked into the 1st floor, there were three Masons eating chicken at the table. When it was time to head upstairs to the Lodge room, they laughed and said "we'll just hold the meeting here". I never went back. Makes one wonder how do non-masons feel when they drive by? I know I wouldn't bother petitioning.

I would take it one step further and include some Grand Lodge Temples, including the Grand Lodge of Texas in Waco. It was built during a time when membership was at it's peak, now it's members are constantly bombarded with letters and solicitations begging for money for urgent repairs and upgrades.

Great post..bumped to homepage.

 

[Brother_Steve]

We just spent upwards of 20k to repair our lodge.

Our present building was constructed in 1921. There was a fire so some remodeling had to be done in the west but that is it. (The chair and Senior Warden's table still has the black marks from the fire)

We ripped up the carpet, painted the walls and ceiling, replaced the prep and ante room lighting. Got rid of the clutter. Replaced the floor in the kitchen and bathrooms. The place looks great. The part that makes the lodge pop is the gold risers on the steps for the JW, SW and WM.

The hardest part of redoing a lodge room is convincing the older masons to change something they have come to be very comfortable with.

Our only regret was not doing a tessellated floor around the alter. It would have to have been done in tile and the whole floor would have to have been reinforced and leveled.

 

[dfreybur]

Legend tells us that at one time we met on high hills and in low vales. History tells us that we once met in rooms above taverns and in private libraries. Today it is all too often that we hear the phrase, "Lose your building and you'll lose your Charter." When did this happen? When did a Lodge become the building we meet in, instead of the Body of Masons who truly constitutes it?

Has anyone been in a lodge where GL authorities told them this? We are told in the first degree lecture that a lodge is a number of brethren etc. A lodge is not a building. A building is "stuff", assets.

And yet. And yet. I've been in a lodge whose building was in decline. We only rented to other non-profits because we were off the tax roles. The rental income never quite matched the maintenance expenses. Across decades structural problems appeared in the building and eventually we could not afford the repairs. Eventually the extent of the repairs triggered Americans with Disabilities requirements that put the updates well out of our reach. We became tenants a town away. We lost our ability to recruit in our home territory. It took years and no grand lodge involvement but candidates came farther apart and we went from a full pipeline and full line to struggling to have a line. We consolidated. In essence we surrendered our charter.

It is a rather simple and frequently used process to obtain a Special Dispensation to hold Lodge in a cave, a lineman's tent, on a mountain, in the building we used to use, or myriad other locations. Heck, we even formed a Lodge on the moon! Why then is it so important that we attempt to keep some of these buildings open?

It is necessary to stay in your home territory. That's the lesson I take away from the experience. We could have started meeting in a rented hall. Upstairs from a tavern perhaps, in the basement of a church more likely. It's not the building it's the presence. With a building the presence is there, but a building is not the only way to have a presence.

I understand fighting for historic edifices, beautifully crafted in a by-gone era, but let's be honest, some of our buildings are just plain ugly and have no more historic value than any other cinderblock pre-fab that was thrown up in the '50s or '60s. They look like an abandoned machine shop from the outside and don't smell much better on the inside.

My alternate suggestion - Hold out for a building that can turn a positive cash flow. I've seen lodges who own a small shopping plaza with the lodge meeting in the corner or above the shops. A lodge in one of my districts has such a property but I've seen it more often with VFW and Moose. Get together several lodges to afford one. I say if you can't afford a building that turns a positive cash flow you can't afford a building. But lodges functioned for centuries without their own buildings.

 

[Brother JC]

Has anyone been in a lodge where GL authorities told them this?

Yes, I have. It was the impetus for this rant, which has been bubbling in my head for a while.
Not only has the Lodge who actually owns the building had its Charter threatened, but the other Lodge, the OES Chapter, and even the York Rite Bodies that meet there have all been told that without the building they will cease to exist.

Your comments have a lot of merit, Doug. Location is a tough thing back home, too, as the nearest Masonic "hub" is 60-miles down the road, and a lot of people would fall off the map if this "worst case scenario" actually came to pass. The possible sale of the historic SR Temple already has the town in a tailspin.
And your idea of buying a strip mall is a good one, though if we can't get a new roof, or pay last years taxes, then I doubt we'll be buying new properties.

Your point regarding the First Degree was mine, as well. I'd be ecstatic renting a private room at a local restaurant each month.


Another point that just crossed my mind: What does your Grand Lodge Constitution say about the actual meeting place? Is there (in any Jurisdiction) a By-Law stating that you must meet in a dedicated space?

 

[widows son]

Well said brother.

 

[Brother_Steve]

I apologize. My reply was not in the spirit of the original post. I read it quickly while at work.

 

[Brother JC]

No apology needed, Brother, I'm glad that your building was able to be beautified, especially after a fire. We should certainly save our landmarks when it is possible.

 

[dfreybur]

Yes, I have. It was the impetus for this rant, which has been bubbling in my head for a while.
Not only has the Lodge who actually owns the building had its Charter threatened, but the other Lodge, the OES Chapter, and even the York Rite Bodies that meet there have all been told that without the building they will cease to exist.

I feel like I should be in a parody of a Monty Python movie. "We are the Knights who say Get Stuffed". I mean "We are the knights who gently whisper good advice." ;^)

Your comments have a lot of merit, Doug. Location is a tough thing back home, too, as the nearest Masonic "hub" is 60-miles down the road, and a lot of people would fall off the map if this "worst case scenario" actually came to pass. The possible sale of the historic SR Temple already has the town in a tailspin.

Moving out of town doomed one of my lodges. We've since consolidated and it's once again a strong lodge but there are fewer lodges in the jurisdiction now.

And your idea of buying a strip mall is a good one, though if we can't get a new roof, or pay last years taxes, then I doubt we'll be buying new properties.

That's the problem. I'm not saying that buildings that show a positive cash flow are possible in most cases. I'm saying that buildings that show a positive cash flow should be mandatory. (Ah, the word should). Based on my experience if a lodge can't afford a building with a positive cash flow it can't actually afford any lesser building no matter what the numbers look like. In a decade or a century the building will drain the lodge's cash and crumble.

I'd be ecstatic renting a private room at a local restaurant each month.

The word "tavern" 2-3 centuries ago seems to mean "restaurant" now. It's our original heritage!

Another point that just crossed my mind: What does your Grand Lodge Constitution say about the actual meeting place? Is there (in any Jurisdiction) a By-Law stating that you must meet in a dedicated space?

There are a few sections of CMC about where a lodge can meet. California uses "Inspector" instead of DDGM. It says the room must be secure enough to tile and the location must be available every month because the location gets appended to the current by-laws, or charter if the lodge moves to a new town.

807.040. MEETING PLACE.A. All Stated Meetings shall be held at the Lodge’s meeting place. The Lodge’s meeting place shall be any safe and suitable room for tiled Lodge meetings (as determined by the Inspector of the district in which the Lodge is situated) which has been previously selected by the Lodge and which is located in the city, town or community fixed by its Charter or Dispensation. Special Meetings may be held in the Lodge’s meeting place or in:

1. the Lodge rooms at the Masonic Homes at Union City and Covina ...

(There is a page of pre-authorized locations ...)

There is a formal process to move locations -

807.050. CHANGE OF MEETING PLACE.A Lodge may permanently move its meeting place from the previously selected place only after:

A. Obtaining a determination by the Inspector of the district in which the Lodge is situated that the proposed meeting place is a safe and suitable room for a tiled Lodge meeting;

B. Giving notification at a Stated Meeting that a written resolution for such move will be offered at the next succeeding Stated Meeting;

C. Adopting such resolution by the vote of at least two-thirds of the members present at such succeeding Stated Meeting; and

D. Obtaining the approval of the Grand Master.

In the case of removal to a city, town or community other than that named in the Lodge’s Charter, the Charter shall be amended using the procedure set forth in Section 802.015 of this Code. In the case of removal to a city, town or community other than that named in the Lodge’s Dispensation, the Grand Master shall make an appropriate endorsement to the Lodge’s Dispensation when he approves the meeting place change ...



That's California. The California Masonic Code is available for download by jurisdiction members. I have a print copy of Illinois Masonic Code that very like says much the same using District Deputy instead of the less common Inspector.

 

[Jericho2013]

My lodge building is the second oldest one still in continous use in the state of Texas. It is kept in pretty good shape considering it's age. Cypress wood lasts forever.