This is a history of Carroll Lodge from 1955 to 2005 that was part of the Redeication Ceremony on October 8, 2005.

“Early in 1953 several MAsonic Brothers living or working in the Frewsburg area petioned the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York to Charter a Masonic Lodge in Frewsburg.

The application for dispensation arrived too late for action to be taken at the 1953 Annual Communication however at the 1954 Annual Communication Grand Lodge granted “Dispensation” enabling Carroll Lodge to begin Labor and function as a Masonic Lodge.  On June 9, 1954 Carroll Lodge, U.D. Held Communication #1 with Raymond Hess presiding as Worshipful Master; Kenneth Anderson, Senior Warden; Irving Eastman, Junior Warden; Roy Blackmar, Treasurer; and Glenn Sheats, Secretary.  Three Petitions for initiation and advancement along with a Petition for Affiliation were received and Caroll Lodge 1147 was on its way under the sponsor and guardianship of Mount Moriah Lodge #145 of Jamestown.

The original petioners were Raymond Hess, Edward Bryant, Kenneth Anderson, Irving Eastman, Raymond Blacmar, Kent Young, and Glenn Sheats.

On October 10, 1955 Carroll Lodge received its Charter from the Most Worshipful Raymond C. Ellis, Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York at an impressive ceremony held at the Masonic Temple  in Jamestown.  Preceding the Chartering  dinner was served in the Temple’s Diningroom with more than 500 Masons in attendance.

In the years following that initial communication 352 men have been brought to Masonic Light by way of Initiation and Advancement in Carroll Lodge 1147.  50 more have sought membership by way of Affiliation. Although they came from all walks of life, it is noteworthy that approximately 50% worked in the building trades and local industrial plants, most notbly the Marlin Rockwell Plant.  The youngest Brother to be initiated was Brother Glenn Bloss Jr. Who was initiated just 20 days after his 21st birthday in 1959.  The oldest was Brother Carl A. Peterson who was 70 years old when he was initiated in 1966.

The first meetings were held in the IOOF Lodge room over Moore’s Hardware Store on Main Street.  It is unknown exactly when the thought of having our own lodge building occured, whether it was always in the back of the minds of the founders or at a later time.  The Square and Compass Club (the actual owner of the building) was formed in June of 1964 and there was the existence of a “building fund” as early as Novemeber of 1964.  In 1972 through the generosity of Brother Aalbert M. Eckman property was acquired at our current site and a groundbreaking ceremony was held on May 27, 1972.

On November 3, 1973 the Most Worshipful Llyod S. Cochran, Grand Master, officiated the ceremony at the Corner Stone Laying and Dedication.  After that date all functions were held at the new building with the District Deputy’s visit on November 7th and a 1st Degree on 21st.

The current membership stands at 138.  42 of the Brethern have served as Master of the Lodge, 11 have served Grand Lodge as District Deputies, Staff Officers, Grand Representatives and Grand Line Officers. 3 have been the recipients of the Grand Masters’s “Distinguished Service Award”.

Many of our Members have gone on to distinguish themselves in the Scottish and York Rite Bodies.  7 members of Carroll Lodge are 33rd Degree Masons AASR. 5 have received the Scottish Rite ‘Metorious Service Award”.  3 are recipients of the “Knight York Cross of Honor” in the York Rite.

I wish to acknowledge the efforts of Worshipful Willis C. HAle who was Master of the Lodge in 1962.  Most information on the yaears from 1953 to 1963 was taken from his history of the Lodge that was completed in Booklet form in January 1963.  I will Conclude this brief history with the words of our first Secretary Glen D Sheats in his introduction of that 1963 work “This is the “Past” of Carroll Lodge. It’s future , my Brothers, is in YOUR HANDS!”

Fraternally,

Reinold H. Nelson

Secretary”