A BRIEF HISTORY

OF BEDFORD LODGE #207

FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS

(A Condensed Version From The Original)

Compiled by The Centennial Anniversary Committee for the years from 1867 to 1967

and the 125^th Anniversary Committee for the years from 1967 to 1992

 

On Tuesday evening October 23, 1866, a communication was received by Battle Creek Lodge #12 F. & A. M. from eight Brothers of Bedford Center, asking permission to form a new lodge to be located at Bedford.

After due consideration, Lodge #12 recommended that a dispensation to form a lodge be granted. Thus “the seeds of Masonry” were planted in the village of Bedford, Michigan.

On the third day of November, 1866, the Grand Lodge of Michigan granted a dispensation to form and open a new lodge in the village of Bedford. The first communication was held on Friday November 16, at which time six petitions were received for the Masonic Degrees.

On January 18, 1867, the first election of officers took place, and to these Brothers we are indebted for all that we are and all that we hope to be.

Bro. Charles Austin – Worshipful Master

Bro. Issac Hall – Senior Warden

Bro. Clark G. Jordan – Junior Warden

Bro. Truman Cowles – Treasurer

Bro. George T. Cowles – Secretary

Bro. Edwin F. Avery – Senior Deacon

Bro. Chester W. Eldred – Junior Deacon

Bro. Marcena Burt – Tyler

On February 1, 1867, the original elected officers were installed and the lodge consecrated to the principals of Masonry by Brothers of Battle Creek Lodge #12, representing the Grand Lodge, and led by their Worshipful Master, Bro. A. B. Powell. The minutes also state that an interesting Masonic address was given by The Grand Chaplain and Orator of The Grand Lodge of Michigan.

On April 12, 1867, the lodge adopted a proposition by Bro. Jonathon Halstead to build a suitable hall in the third story of what we know as the “wagon shop”, for which the committee agreed to pay $500.00. The hall was to have three ante-rooms, and finished according to the committee specifications.

During the year 1867, the lodge procured furniture and fixtures necessary to the operation of the lodge and the Brothers each voted to buy their own chair.

At the Annual Meeting held on December 25, Christmas Day 1868, as was then the custom, it was voted that the installation be held on January 2nd, and that each Brother have the privilege of bringing his lady, and that there be served an oyster supper in the room below the hall after the installation

The fine growth of the new lodge leveled off in the 1800’s, with only six or seven meetings yearly. In the year 1900, there were three stated meetings, in 1904, four stated meetings, and in 1906, our records show that only one meeting was held. Our annual report of that year shows an income of $13.50, and disbursements of $41.38. Despite the decreased activity of the lodge during this period, much of the equipment and regalia necessary to the operation of a good lodge were acquired. As World War I approached our nation, petitions for lodge membership began to increase rapidly, and from this time forward, Bedford Lodge became a very active and growing institution.

After the lodge growth of the war years, it became necessary in 1921 to investigate a building site for a new Masonic Temple. In May 1921 the lodge voted to incorporate. The records show that in 1922 the lodge voted to increase its dues from $2.00 to $5.00 per year, and to place the $3.00 difference in a building fund for the erection of a new temple. On March 14, 1924, the lodge placed $1,200.00 in the new building fund; also a final committee was formed to incorporate the lodge through the creation of a Temple Association. A June meeting of 1925 brought forth a motion to settle on the site and building of the new temple. The motion carried, and at the regular meeting of July, final motion was made and carried to instruct the building committee to bid on a recently available school house at the edge of Bedford, to serve as the new temple, which was our present building. During the fall and winter of 1925, many meetings were held concerning the plans, proposals, quotations, specifications and procedures for purchasing, remodeling and decorating the new quarters. On August 14, 1926, the Temple Association gave orders to proceed with the requirements of the new building. On January 8, 1927, the lodge secretary was instructed to correspond with the Grand Master regarding the moving of Bedford Lodge into its new temple.

With great satisfaction the dedication of the new temple took place on Friday evening, April 22, 1927, at eight o’clock and was preceded by a fried chicken dinner. It is most regretful that there is nothing written in our records to show who performed the dedication ceremony, or who was in attendance for this historical event.

Depression; a single word with a terrible meaning, and not unlike all other lodges, Bedford felt the strangulating grip of this terrible monster and our finances were at a low ebb, because we had just assumed a large mortgage for the new temple. What was to be done? Circumstances such as this at least had one good effect, and that was to bind people together in unity, and such was the case at Bedford. The lodge Brothers put together a minstrel show in 1930 and cleared some $132.00 for their efforts. In 1931 and 1932 they continued to perform these popular shows and this along with many other singular and plural efforts, helped to turn adversity into victory. The lodge was then able to look to the future with renewed hope and confidence, for on September 10, 1938, the last payment on the second temple was made, and thus ended another great chapter in the history of Bedford Lodge.

Through the years following the great depression, Bedford Lodge forged steadily ahead, showing a steady gain in membership and improving greatly financially. Many of the brothers lost during the depression, were now reinstated to membership. These were the good years, and many things were accomplished in the improvement of the lodge, the temple and the regalia. During this period and for the next twenty years, Bedford’s Degree Team became widely known for its proficiency and perfection as it traveled far and wide to perform it’s work in many lodges in southern Michigan.

In the years of the early 1940’s, many of our Brothers were called upon for the second time to serve their country in a great global war, and like many famous Masons of other wars, they served with honor and distinction.

As peace came again to our land and the years rushed on, and the activities of the Blue Lodge increased, and the attendance of these many functions grew and grew, one fact was becoming apparent. Soon we would again have to acquire increased space to accommodate our increased memberships. This became a constant problem and on several occasions ideas and estimates were given on plans to expand our present temple. It seemed that costs were always high, and it somehow just did not seem feasible to attempt to remodel such an old building. In late 1957 the Blue Lodge asked the Temple Board to set up within their financial structure a fund to be used only for building purposes. The Temple Board complied and the Blue Lodge then proceeded to place all surplus funds in this building fund. As the years wore on, it became more apparent that a new building was the best answer to our problem, so at this time, in true Masonic tradition, the first designs were drawn upon the Trestleboard.

As these words were being written, we again find Bedford Lodge engaged in a great effort to build and perfect new enlarged quarters more suitable to our needs. Let it be known that it is only through the unprecedented cooperation of the bodies who call Bedford their home that these present dreams and plans shall reach reality. Each body working in its own way and within its own limitation has labored tirelessly for the last several years, serving the common purpose of erecting that excellent building in which each of us this day has seen the cornerstone placed therein. May God give his blessing to our efforts and may the works of our hands preserve for the Masons of Bedford yet unborn, that wonderful heritage that was given to us on that Tuesday evening 100 years ago, October 23, 1866.

Twenty-five years have passed since the preceding paragraphs were written. The 125^th Anniversary Committee wishes to add another chapter to this history of Bedford #207. The cornerstone was laid at a public ceremony on September 16, 1967, and the Temple Dedication was held on March 7, 1969. In the twenty-five years since the laying of the cornerstone, the Masonic bodies of Bedford have settled into their home. They have established a record of Masonic activity that brings pride to all the members of the Bedford Masonic family.

Several changes have taken place in and about the lodge since the cornerstone was laid. The garage was added behind the lodge building, the driveway and parking area were blacktopped. The interior of the lodge saw the development of a library area, the kitchen facilities were modified to include the addition of a second kitchen. The ceiling was installed in the dining room and in the kitchens. The secretaries office was created. Ceiling fans were installed in the lodge room, and an elevator was installed so the lodge facilities became easily accessible to all people. Most recently, the lighting in the lodge room was supplemented with the addition of two rows of fluorescent fixtures.

The Bedford Lodge facility is available to members of the Masonic families, and to the community at large. This lodge building has seen usage by a wide range of activities since its inception. In the addition to the usual Masonic activities, we have gained much recognition for our roast beef dinners that provide a marvelous opportunity for all the appendant bodies to work together and enjoy each others company. We have made the building available for wedding receptions, anniversary celebrations, luncheons following funerals, Cub Scout meetings and Lions Club meetings. Our parking lot is used as the staging area for the annual Bedford Lions Community Parade, and we provide light refreshment for parade participants.

The Bedford Lodge has continued to grow and prosper. We look forward to the next twenty-five years with great anticipation, as we view the last one hundred twenty five years with respect and pride.