Lodge History
HOW WE BEGAN
A Petition for a New Lodge was submitted to the Grand Secretary's Office, Grand Lodge of Georgia in February 1947, containing forty seven names. One name was subsequently withdrawn. The dispensation for holding a lodge of Master Masons was issued on February 12, 1947 with the name Tyrian, U.D. The Charter was approved by members of the Grand Lodge, in session, on October 29, 1947. The Charter was presented on November 12, 1947 by Grand Master J. Clayton Perry and eighty two Masons became members of Tyrian Lodge No. 111, Free and Accepted Masons.
The original meeting place of Tyrian Lodge was the old community building located in the 400 block of Watson Boulevard. This building was also used by the Woodmen of the World for their meetings. It was an old wooden building, heated by two pot bellied stoves, one upstairs and one downstairs. The only restroom facilities were the big oak trees behind the building or across the street at a gasoline station. Tyrian Lodge members decided to purchase the old building but legal council was unable to clear the title. However, the lodge continued to meet in this building for several years while trying to locate a suitable piece of property on which to build a new building.
At the recommendation of legal council, the lodge began process to incorporate the Board of Trustees under the laws of the State of Georgia. On June 27, 1950, the Board of Trustees became a legal entity under the name and title of Trustees of the Masonic Hall, Inc.
On February 28, 1953, the Trustees of the Masonic Hall, Inc. signed a Sales Contract for five lots on Manor Court for the purchase price of $9,000.00. The sale was completed on April 30, 1953 and $4,500.00 was paid as the down payment. After selling four of the five lots, saving the corner lot for the lodge building, the lots were paid off.
Building plans began almost immediately. Once the basic floor plans were agreed upon, a construction loan for $10,000.00 was obtained from the Citizens and Southern Bank on October 30, 1956 with a due date of January 31, 1957. On February 15, 1957, a loan for $15,000.00 at 6% interest was obtained from Perry Savings and Loan Association to pay off the construction loan and to have additional funds to continue finishing construction. The payments for this loan were $166.00 per month . This loan was paid in full on September 13, 1965.
The first meeting in the new lodge was held on January 22, 1957. Worshipful Brother Asbury Ralph Kiser was Worshipful Master. The Minutes of that meeting reflect 89 brethren were present for that occasion. The lodge was dedicated on February 12, 1957 with Most Worshipful Grand Master Harvey C. Stephens presiding.
Membership continued to grow, from 303 in 1952 to 493 in 1957, an increase of 190 in just 5 years. In another 5 years, membership had grown to 578 in 1962, an increase of 85. Due to the physical size of the lodge, coupled with the increase in membership, negotiations began with one of the members to purchase some two acres on Corder Road, which was at that time considered "out of town". However, these negotiations fell through and the decision was made to remodel the current lodge. The lodge room was to be increased in size, the ante-room was to be moved and theatre type seats were to be installed. In order to accomplish this, the Trustees of the Masonic Hall, Inc. borrowed $10,000.00 at 6.5% interest from First Federal Savings and Loan Association on April 5, 1966 with payments of $113.55 per month. This loan was subsequently paid off on April 3, 1973.
Again, membership was growing, from 578 in 1962 to 703 in 1972, an increase 0f 125 in 10 years. Fund raising continued and money was being saved. Looking toward the future, with the current neighborhood beginning to deteriorate, a future building site was being considered. A building lot consisting of 4.38 acres was located on Robins Drive for $40,000.00. At that time, it appeared that this lot would be ideal for a masonic lodge. It was bordered by U.S. Government property, Second Baptist Church, Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Robins Federal Credit Union. The Trustees of the Masonic Hall, Inc. borrowed $30,000.00 at 9% interest from the Citizens State Bank with payments of $380.04 per month. This loan was paid in full on July 1, 1981. For various reasons, a decision was made to sell this property and purchase property on Talullah Trail. The property on Robins Drive sold for $55,000.00 on March 14, 1986 and on October 6, 1986, 2.65 acres on Talullah Trail was purchased and paid for at that time.
Some Significant Firsts - 1947
During 1947, there were many FIRSTS for Tyrian Lodge. On February 12, 1947, Grand Master Chesley W. Monk, presented the dispensation for Tyrian Lodge U.D. at a Called Communication that was opened by the Officers of Rutland Lodge No. 298 with Brother John Walter Outler presiding. From this beginning, Tyrian Lodge became one of the largest and most active of all Masonic Lodges in the State of Georgia.
2/25/47 The first petitions for the degrees were read in Tyrian Lodge U.D. There were six petitions presented.
2/25/47 The Lodge voted to purchase twelve dozen aprons at a cost of $5.75 per dozen.
2/25/47 The cost for the three degrees was set at $40.00, $20.00 to accompany the petition, $10.00 before the degree of Fellowcraft and $10.00 before the Master Mason Degree. This initial fee included the dues for the remainder of the year.
2/25/47 The annual dues were set at $4.00.
2/25/47 The first "Penny Box" collection was taken and $.80 was received.
3/11/47 The first petition for Affiliation was presented.
3/11/47 The Second Reading for the Petitions for the Degrees was held and four were elected.
3/25/47 The first Entered Apprentice Degree was conferred with five candidates.
4/8/47 The first rejection for the degrees was voted on.
4/8/47 The first Fellowcraft Degree was conferred with five candidates.
4/22/47 First Master Masons Degree was conferred on five candidates.
4/22/47 The first recorded donation of Tyrian Lodge was made to the Hillcrest Heights Methodist Church, Macon, Georgia.
6/24/47 The Lodge voted to purchase a water keg.
7/8/47 A Petty Cash Fund in the amount of $10.00 was established for the Secretary.
7/22/47 An acknowledgement of a donation of $3.18 was received from the Masonic Home of Georgia.
8/26/47 The first recorder Honorary member of Tyrian Lodge, U.D. was Brother Harvey Cochran.
8/26/47 The first By-Laws were read, amended, and approved.
11/25/47. Brother John W. Outler was made a Honorary Member of Tyrian Lodge, U.D.
10/29/47 The Charter for Tyrian Lodge was approved by the Grand Lodge of Georgia and was assigned number 111.
11/12/47 The Charter for Tyrian Lodge No. 111, Free and Accepted Masons was presented by Grand Master J. Clayton Perry, at which time eighty-two brethren became Charter Members.
11/25/47 The first Instructors cards were presented, 1 Blue Card and 1 White Card, signed and presented by Brother Outler.