Jeffersontown Lodge 774

Lodge History

The old building had quite a history in itself, and as for the date of the construction of the building ….we have not been able to establish.

We were able to check some records and amount them found an article: “The Baptist bought one-half of Lot No. 10 and the large room downstairs in the building. That is still the Masonic Hall. The deed was recorded March 10, 1871. C.T. Wells bought the lot as agent for the Melone Lodge No. 378 (defunct) and sold to the Baptist. The Baptist sold it back to the Masons in 1926 for $2,000, after occupying it for almost 60 years.” Melone Lodge No. 378 was given a dispensation to set to work sometime during the year of 1858, received its charter on October 18, 1860, returned it’s charter to the Grand Lodge of Kentucky on May 22, 1882.

Jeffersontown Lodge No. 774 was given a dispensation to set to work on November 11, 1905 with 12 members, and had met in the building each meeting night until the Saturday following the fire on January 22, 1948. Sometime during the year, 1911, we bought the second floor and a portion of the land. In 1926 we bought the first floor and the remainder of the land, thus becoming the sole owners of the property.The old building will always live in the hearts of our members as the home of our Masonic teachings whereby we were able to learn, that even though all men do not become members of our order, we should still practice Friendship, Mortality and Brotherly love to all mankind.

January 16 and January 22, 1948 will always stand as red letter days in the hearts and members of the members of Jeffersontown Lodge No. 774 F .& A.M., for on those two days occurred tragedies, in the form of two fires. This promoted the craft to erect this beautiful Temple that we are proud and happy to say, is the current home of the members of Jeffersontown Lodge.

The first meeting following the fires, was held in the hall of Middletown, Kentucky, and a committee was appoint to find ways and means to either repair or replace the old hall. On February 14, 1948, the members started holding their meetings in the Jeffersontown School building and a committee was appointed at that meeting to have plans drawn, specifications written and the cost submitted for the erection of a new Temple, as it now seems that it would be unwise to repair the old building. On March 13, 1948, Brother William D. Carrell reported that a settlement had been made with the insurance adjuster and the amount would give us a start toward financing the new Temple.

On March 27, 1948, a motion was made that a new Temple be erected not to exceed the cost of $20,000 plus the salvage from the old building. A special building committee was appointed at this time consisting of brothers William Baumlisberger, John L. Petry, Edwin H. Weller, Elbert J. Willis, and Barney C. Reid to assist in the formation of a set of plans that would be suitable to the needs of the Lodge and still be within the reach of the craft. At this meeting a committee was appointed to find ways and means of financing the proposed new Temple. This committee was composed of Brothers E. Ward Jean, Forrest F. Radcliff, Lawrence T. Miller, Roy L. Corby, Peter A Baker and Robert W. Zollinger.

April 10, 1948, plans were submitted by Brother John L. Petry and an announcement made that Brother E. T. Trautwein, would construct the proposed Temple for an amount of $20,000 and salve the old building. Brother Tauten was to use as much of the salvage as possible, because it would be better material as could be secured at this time. The craft accepted the proposal. The Ways and Means Committee suggested that the most logical way to finance the new Temple would be the formation of a separate organization and the following Monday, June 4, 1948, the Jeffersontown Boosters Club had its formation in the Town Hall.

The Jeffersontown Boosters Club was chartered by the State of Kentucky on June 4, 1948, and the title to the property was conveyed to the Boosters Club on June 12, 1948. Work was started on the new Temple. The corner store was laid by the Past Grand Master Charles S. Johnson, assisted by the members of Jeffersontown Lodge on July 10, 1948.

From the minutes:

The Temple is now complete and we are happy and proud to say that Jeffersontown Lodge is open to all members of the craft and that you shall always find peace, harmony and brotherly love prevailing. May we take this opportunity to thank each member of the craft and sister lodges who have given so generously that we may again be in our own home, and extend to you and invitation to meet with us at any time.