To fully appreciate the heritage of Saint Matthew’s Lodge, we must briefly follow the evolution of organized Freemasonry in Massachusetts. In 1733 Henry Price apparently received a commission in London from the Grand Master of England, Viscount Montague. Upon returning to Boston, he organized his Provincial Grand Lodge on July 30, 1733; it was known as the St. John’s Grand Lodge. The First Lodge of that organization, now known as Saint John’s Lodge, was constituted on August 31, 1733.

In the early 1750s a group of brethren met at the Green Dragon Tavern and formed a Lodge later known as St. Andrew’s Lodge. In 1754 they petitioned the Grand Lodge of Scotland for a Charter and received it on September 4, 1760. A petition was granted by the Grand Lodge of Scotland on May 30, 1769, to appoint the Most Worshipful Joseph Warren, Esquire, to be Grand Master of Masons in Boston, New England and within one hundred miles of the same. This second Grand Lodge was called the Massachusetts Grand Lodge.

After many meetings and discussions, the two Grand Lodges united on March 5, 1792 forming the “Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. ”Prior to this time the Massachusetts Grand Lodge had chartered 30 Lodges and the St. John’s Grand Lodge, 44 Lodges, each was allowed to retain its original Charter and to take precedence according to seniority. Only eighteen of these Lodges remained or elected to become part of the united Grand Lodge with two-thirds of them having been associated with the Massachusetts Grand Lodge and one-third with St. John'’ Grand Lodge. St. Andrew'’ Lodge did not join the union and worked independently under its Scottish Charter until 1809 at which time it too joined. By September 1822 the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts had constituted one hundred and four Lodges and at their September 1822 Quarterly Communications two more petitions were presented – Minerva Lodge in Andover and Warren Lodge in Amesbury. During the December 11, 1822 Quarterly Communication, St Matthew’s Lodge (a name substituted for Minerva Lodge at that meeting) become the 105th Lodge chartered by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. When the pre-existing Lodges were considered, Saint Matthew’s was 122^nd in precedence; by 1870, this position had advanced to 56^th because some Lodges had gone dark and never recovered, had failed for other reasons or had become part of the Grand Lodge of Maine when it was formed in 1820.

The petition presented to Grand Lodge at the September 11, 1822, Quarterly Communication was the second such plea for a Lodge in Andover. At the Annual meeting of December 9, 1818, “A petition signed by David Rice and thirteen others praying for a Charter to establish a Lodge in the Town of Andover, by the name of ‘Minerva’ was read and committed to “committee. Good Samaritan Lodge of Reading objected to the establishment of this Lodge and encumbered the decision of the committee. The minutes of the December 28, 1818, Grand Lodge meeting state “The committee to whom was referred the petition of David Rice and others, praying for a Charter, to establish a Lodge in the Town of Andover, were discharged from the further consideration thereof. ”A new committee reported at that same meeting with a recommendation that approval be granted based upon the approbation of Merrimack Lodge at Haverhill, Mount Moriah Lodge of South Reading and the D.D.G.M. of the 2^nd District with disregard for Good Samaritan Lodge’s objection. This report and recommendation was rejected and the brethren from Andover returned home empty-handed.

There is evidence that a Masonic gathering or organization existed in Andover prior to the request resubmitted in 1822 and most likely existed at the time of the 1818 petition. Entries in the early Treasurer’s book refer to the Wiltshire Society of Freemasons with entry dates preceding that of the Charter/Dispensation. Unfortunately details are few and the life span, members and purpose of this organization have been lost to history. The few available notes do indicate that meetings were held at the home (or shop) of Bro. Merrill Pettengill – one of Andover’s blacksmiths whose shop was on Punchard Avenue. Society funds were used to pay the travel expenses incurred by Bros. Peter French and David Rise in their trips to Grand Lodge – presumably to make contacts and present the petition.

As stated above the second petition was presented in September 1822.Either sufficient contacts had been made or Good Samaritan Lodge relented on their previous objection for the Charter was granted on December 11, 1822. No reason was offered for the name change from “Minerva” to “Saint Matthew” either in the Grand Lodge minutes or in the Lodge records. At the March 8, 1826, Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge, Saint Matthew’s requested an extension of the Charter, the Grand Lodge response provides some insight into the salesmanship tactics used to obtain the Charter in 1822:

“In granting a Charter to St. Matthew’s Lodge and locating it in the North Parish of Andover, your committee are of opinion that the Grand Lodge deviated from its By-Laws and laid the foundation for their violated by the eloquence of an advocate for the petition and led away into fairy land. The sweet delusion will be remembered by those who were subject to its influence, towns, boundaries and distances all disappeared by the powers of the mighty magician and nothing was perceptible but and unrivalled Masonic Temple rising in majestic splendor… The Grand Lodge was led to believe that in locating Saint Matthew’s Lodge in the North Parish of Andover it would be farther removed from Good Samaritan Lodge in Reading than if it were located in the South Parish.”

Minutes of the first recorded meeting in the Secretary’s book state:

“The Saint Mathews Lodge met at the Widow Mary Parkers for the first time

Jan. 22, 1823, opened on the first degree of Masonry…”

There were 16 members and 8 visitors present. The widow Mary Parker’s house, apparently a tavern at the time, still stands today at the corner of Andover and Chestnut Streets in North Andover. There may have been some “unofficial” meetings of the Lodge members prior to this date because the Officers of the Lodge were already elected and in place for this January 22 meeting, the financial base had been established and some non-Charter members were considered members at that meeting. The Officers who presided were:

W M – David Rice

S W – John Brown

J W – Merrill Pettengill

Treasurer – Peter French

Secretary – Daniel Wardwell

S D – Jacob Shed

The business of this first meeting consisted of receiving four applications for the degrees of Masonry and Dedication of the Hall. The Orator for the dedication was Bro. Augustus Pomeroy who later affiliated with Saint Matthew’s Lodge. Although a copy of his address was requested at a later time, it has not survived the years; the applications received on that date have also been lost.

Dues paid by the members that first year were set at 37 ½ cents per quarter (called quarterages). After a free first meeting, visitors to the Lodge were required to pay 12 ½ cents per visit. The fee for Initiation was $15.00, Crafting was $2.00, and a Diploma cost $1.00, 25 cents of which went to the Secretary for filling it out. Members of the Clergy could receive all three degrees for a total cost of $2.00.

The first year of Saint Matthew’s Lodge was a productive one. Prior to the Lodge Constitution on August 21, 1823, a total of 18 brethren were initiated, passed and raised and 5 brethren affiliated with the Lodge. Cyrus Brown, John Gleason, Benjamin Gleason and Benjamin Lander were the first group of men to be balloted upon – on February 19, 1823; they were also initiated that evening, Bros. Brown and Lander were the first to be passed (on March5, 1823) and raised (on March 26, 1823).Bro. Augustus Pomeroy was the first member to affiliate (on April 23 1823). Since there were only 18 meetings from January 22 to August 21, 1823, and all 18 brethren received all three degrees, it is understandable that most meetings were quite full. It was not unusual for all three degrees to be worked on a single evening in addition to the conduct of a business meeting and balloting.

The Lodge had its small troublesome areas that first year as well as the general prosperity reflected in the records. On May 21, 1823, the Lodge took up the complaint (unspecified in the minutes) against Bro. George French and voted to excommunicate him for the present. On June 18, 1823, it was voted to choose a committee to see Bro. Spofford and to request him to withdraw for the present.

The Lodge Constitution and Installation ceremony held on the evening of August 20, 1823, is defined in Grand Lodge proceedings:

“The Grand Lodge was opened in ample form and proceeded to St. Mathew’s Lodge. A procession was then formed which proceeded to the Meeting House. The Lodge was then constituted and its Officers installed according to ancient form.

The M.W. Grand Master delivered an appropriate charge to the Members of the new Lodge.

After the ceremonies were closed, the procession was again formed and proceeded to partake of the entertainment provided for the occasion.”

The Lodge soon outgrew Widow Mary Parker’s facilities and in 1824 efforts were made to locate a room near Andover Bridge. Bros. Lander and Frye were appointed to supervise the move to Mr. Towne’s Hall near Andover Bridge; the first meeting held there was on June 9, 1824. The following month it was voted to assess each member 40 cents to cover the moving expenses.

As early as December 1823, a committee was appointed to meet with Good Samaritan Lodge to get their approbation to move Saint Matthew’s Lodge to the South Parish of Andover. All attempts were unsuccessful over the next two years but a petition was prepared for presentation to Grand Lodge regardless. As cited earlier, Grand Lodge recalled the irregularities of trying to restrict a Lodge to a section of the Town and recommended that Good Samaritan Lodge reconsider their objection. A change in heart was realized and the Charter was amended to include the entire town of Andover.

In parallel with this Charter expansion effort, preparations were being made to move to the South Parish. By February 1826, it was decided to move to the South Parish. By February 1826, kit was decided to erect a building in the South Parish for accommodation of the Lodge and other purposes. The St. Matthew’s Masonic company was created to erect and maintain such a facility. The land was purchased for $125.00 and the Union Building, 50 feet long and 26 feet wide, was erected on that site which is now the location of the Fleet Bank Building on Main Street in Andover. The Lodge leased the third floor of this building for $25.00 per year and held their first meeting there on July 19, 1826.During that meeting, Capt. Stephen Abbott, one of the original owners of the land, was balloted on, initiated, passed and raised. Dedication of the Hall occurred on September 13, 1826.

Use of an Investigating Committee during these early years was the exception rather than the rule. By August 1825, a total of 73 applications had been acted upon yet there were only three investigating committees invoked. All early applications were submitted in the applicant’s handwriting to a standard verbiage on any available piece of paper – there were no prepared forms until 1859.

Saint Matthew’s Lodge made a first attempt at a Charity Fund in December 1825 when a committee of five was appointed to report on the possibility of a charitable fund. The resulting report was unfavorable and the concept was rejected; a committee of five was appointed to examine and try all transient applications for charity. A Charity Fund, per se, was not established until 1904.

At the Annual Meeting of December 1826, the Lodge learned that it was in an embarrassing financial situation. The financial reports indicated an indebtedness of $180 and the Committee of Finance was authorized to hire $200 for the use of Lodge. During the next year settlements were made on outstanding bills and attempts were made to retrieve the treasury balance for 1826 still in the hands of the former Treasurer. Another $100 loan was authorized in 1827 to pay for rent arrears but a deficit of $55 was still reported as of December 1827 Annual Meeting. That month it was voted to lease the Hall to the Methodists for use on Sabbath days (but not evenings) and by 1829 the Hall was being rented on a per evening basis at the rate of $1.50 to $2.50 per night. Attempts to levy an assessment to eliminate all debt were unsuccessful; rather, subscriptions were started and efforts made to collect all outstanding dues, or quarterages as they were then known. In 1830, a settlement was reached with the Treasurer of 1826 regarding the true balance due the Lodge from him. Discussions of a financial matter disappeared from the minutes after this date – possibly because all problems had been resolved, or possibly because the “Dark Period” presented more significant problems.

The number of candidates and affiliates dropped from 1826 (1 affiliate and 22 candidates) to 1833 (1 affiliate and no candidates) with a slight reversal in 1831.This drop in candidates, as well as a decline in the meeting attendance figures, reflected the impact of the Anti-Masonic movement, which was sweeping the country from the latter part of the 1820s to the early 1840s. As time progressed further into this Dark Period, there were some instances in which there were insufficient members present to even open the Lodge meetings. An Anti-Masonic State convention was held in Massachusetts in December 1829 and January 1830 which resulted in the appointment of an investigating committee. Memorials were presented to the state legislature calling for the repeal of the Charter granted by the Commonwealth to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. Signers of these Memorials included professors at the Andover Theological Seminary and the principal of the Free School in the North Parish of Andover.

Notwithstanding, Saint Matthew’s Lodge and her dedicated members made a valiant attempt to counter these charges, allegations and persecution. On June 25, 1832, - a Monday- they held a St. John’s Day procession and church service. The oppression, however, finally became too great and the lodge was forced to “go underground. ”In September 1833, the carpeting of the Lodge Hall was voted to be sold. The Hall was given up in January 1835 and some of the furniture of the Lodge was offered for sale following a vote of February 1836. Subsequent meetings, few as they were, were held at member'’ homes. Throughout this trying period, the Charter of Saint Matthew'’ Lodge never left the possession of the Worshipful Master, most reports indicate he buried it in his cellar, others cite storage in his well. It is remarkable to note that the Lodge was able to maintain its existence in the face of the ever-present and close-by adversaries at the Andover Theological Seminary.

By 1845, the effect of the Anti-Masonic movement was all but forgotten except for the scars left in the minds of some and lives of others. The brethren of St. Matthew’s met twice in January 1843 to see if the Lodge would commence work again. The thirteen members present at the first of these meetings voted to commence as soon as a suitable room could be procured. The Master’s jewel was obtained from Wor. Bro. Merrill Pettengill who had served as master from 1836 to 1843, as well as two two-term periods before then. He had moved from Andover and letter established Mt. Tabor Lodge – in 1845.

After several meetings in members’ homes, the Lodge was able to secure a room in the “Odd Fellows Lodge” (in the Bank Building where they had previously met) and started meeting there in February 1844. New collars and sashes were purchased for the officers in November of that year. By March 1844, applications for membership and affiliation were flowing in to certify that St. Matthew’s Lodge was again in full operation.

On September 18, 1850, the first Past Master’s Jewel of St. Matthew’s Lodge was presented to Wor. Bro. Nathan Frye. At that time he had served as master for five years and before he “retired” as master in 1859, he had served a total of twelve and a half years. This tenure exceeded that of Wor. Bro. Pettengill by that one half year.

As a result of rent problems, the Lodge sponsored a move to the third floor of Mr. Swift’s Store Building effective April 1, 1852. This move, coupled with other innovations such as changing the meeting night, did not improve the sagging attendance, and the brethren again considered dissolution. The thirteen members at the April 28, 1853, meeting held to discuss that subject voted to continue the Lodge for the present; those 13 members represented the total membership of 29 at that time. Another three years of inactivity ensued but an upswing of candidates was observed in the early part of 1856.Improvements were made to the Hall, the lamps were upgraded from oil to gas, and new collars were procured. In November 1857, the Lodge voted to move back to the Bank Building. St. Matthew’s Lodge would remain in this facility from that time until they occupied their own Temple in 1965.

The Lodge’s celebration of the 50^th Anniversary was apparently a very private affair. There are references to it in the minutes but no specifics were provided. The event was apparently held in December 1872 but no reports were found in area newspapers or in the Lodge archives. One of St. Matthew’s historians, Wor. Bro. Joseph W. Smith stated that appropriate ceremonies were held.

The Lodge rooms were refurbished in the late 1870s with more than half of the expense being covered by subscription. In 1879 Grand Lodge voted to extend their capitation tax of $1.00 per year for each affiliated Mason for another 15 years, this tax had been established in 1868 to liquidate the Grand Lodge debt resulting from construction of their new Temple. The members of St. Matthew’s Lodge objected strenuously to the continued imposition of this tax and were one of the last to commute (pay it off ahead of time as requested by Grand Lodge).

Near the end of the 1880s, the bank officials decided to construct a new building on the present site and conferred with St. Matthew'’ members regarding a proposed hall in that new facility. The Building Committee secured temporary meeting quarters in the GAR Hall for the construction period. The first meeting in the new Hall was held on April 28, 1890. The Dedication, held one month later, was a gala affair complete with a full procession, ceremonies performed by Grand Lodge and a banquet for 300 in the banquet hall. Wor. Bro. Joseph W. Smith delivered a general history of the Lodge since its Chartering.

The brethren of St. Matthew’s Lodge apparently objected to centralization of Masonic charitable functions within Grand Lodge for the opposed the creation of a Charity Fund at Grand Lodge level in 1897 and a year later voted against the Grand Lodge proposed Education and Charity Fund.

As was the case with the Lodge’s 50^th Anniversary celebration, there are no records of the 75^th Anniversary in the Lodge minutes. A full account, however, was recorded in the Andover Townsman of December 17, 1897. Held in the Masonic Hall and in the Town Hall, about 150 members and guests, including the D.D.G.M., participated in a reception, entertainment and banquet. Wor. Bro. Smith again delivered an historical sketch of the lodge.

On June 22, 1902, the members of St. Matthew’s met to observe St. John’s Sunday by attending divine services at the Baptist Church. This was the first celebration of this event since the Dark Period and was observed regularly for the next eighty some years. Following church attendance in the early 1900s a collection was taken among the attendees upon returning to the Lodge room; this collection, which varied from $2 to $5 was then forwarded to the church attended along with a letter of thanks.

The year 1902 represented the achievement of a significant milestone for St. Matthew’s Lodge – for the first time, one of her members was appointed District Deputy Grand Master. In appreciation of this historical event, a gala affair was held on November 12 of that year to celebrate Rt. Wor. Albert S. Manning’s first visitation – the Grand Master and the Grand Secretary were in attendance. A luncheon preceded the meeting in which four brethren were raised to the degree of Master Mason. Following the Official Visitation and Lodge closing, a banquet was held at the Town Hall – starting at 10:05 P.M.; 430 Masons, representing 42 Lodges were in attendance. This practice of a large turnout for the D.D.G.M. Official Visitation continued for many years and it was not unusual for the attendance to be from 150 to 200. The banquets served at most of these functions were held at the Town Hall, Bernard Hall or the AOUW Hall; for many, the St. Matthew’s Orchestra furnished the music.

By 1903, it was recognized that only five past masters in the Lodge had Past Master Jewels; in 1904, this situation was remedied by presenting these jewels to six P.M.s thereby outfitting all living Past Masters with the proper jewel of their position. The first Past Masters Night was held on June 26, 1893, and involved the raising of two brethren. The event did not become a regular affair until after the next Past Masters Night held in 1902.

A Charity Fund was established by a by-law change in 1904 which involved the setting aside of $1.00 of each member’s dues for the Fund; the balance remaining at the end of the year was transferred to the ordinary funds of the Lodge. This fund was voted a $1500.00 nucleus in 1907 and the by-laws were changed to allow retention of the end-of-year balance.

In May 1907, the D.D.G.M. visited St. Matthew’s Lodge to explain the Grand Lodge establishment of a Masonic Home in the old Hotel Overlook in Charleton. Again, the brethren rebelled against centralized control and there were extreme difficulties in soliciting contributions to this project. Within the confines of St. Matthew’s Lodge, however, there were actions to look out for the elderly of the Fraternity. In 1909, Bro. Charles W. Flint willed $1000.00 in trust to the Treasurer of the home for Aged People in Andover, the income there from to be used for the benefit of the home, with the understanding that one of the inmates of the Home shall be named by St. Matthew’s Lodge. The Lodge did not exercise this option until December 1913, at which time Mrs. M. E. Gleason was named to the home. Mrs. Gleason died in 1931 and the Lodge waived their right to name a successor until the next opening; no further actions followed.

The collection of Past Masters’ photographs on display in the lobby of the lodge was started by Wor. George M. R. Holmes, Master in 1913-14, Marshall for 7 years and Secretary for 15 years. From 1913 to 1921 he expended a great deal of effort to gather likenesses of the 32 Masters who preceded him. The results show he was extremely successful in that there is only one empty frame. He also compiled an extensive card index file of all Masons raised in St. Matthew’s Lodge and presented it to the Lodge in November 1914 – this file has disappeared from the Lodge archives.

By 1920 the Lodge was again thinking of new facilities and an opportunity arose to purchase the Francis A. Flint property located at 8 Elm Street. Pledges were solicited and a Board of Trustees of “The Building Fund of St. Matthew’s Lodge” was created in accordance with a by-laws amendment. After several negotiation difficulties these Trustees were empowered on October 30, 1922, to purchase the property and to borrow $9000 to accomplish this transaction. A Masonic Club was organized in November 1922, which occupied the Flint property, paid rent and assumed all obligations for utilities and alterations under $500.

The 1920s also saw the start of the era of talks and lectures after Lodge meetings. Smoke Talks were also held as separate functions. Ladies Nights became annual functions and the Andover Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star was formed in 1922.The Fraternity was extremely active and the membership rolls expanded as a result.

The Centennial of St. Matthew’s Lodge was observed over a three-day period. Approximately 175 members of the Lodge attended Divine Service at the Free Church on December 11 to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the granting of the Charter; Grand Lodge officers were received and approximately 170 people enjoyed a banquet following the meeting. Post-prandial exercises included speeches by the presiding Master, Wor. Bradford, the Senior Grand Warden, Master at the time of the 75^th Anniversary, Wor. David a poem by Wor. Marland, history by Wor. Odlin and speeches by the D.D.G.M. and the Grand Master – grandson of a former member of St. Matthew’s Lodge. The third day of the celebration, December 12, was marked by a banquet social hour, entertainment and dancing in the Town Hall; about 400 brethren, friends and their ladies, attended this event.

The building trustees reported in April 1923 that tentative plans had been prepared for a new Masonic building on the Flint property which would provide for Lodge quarters and a club home. The total price for these plans, including the purchase of the property, was $75,000.By September of that year $42,000 had been raised but subsequent fund raising efforts fell short of the goal and the plan was never consummated.

As a result of the Depression, the number of candidates dropped off sharply in the mid 1930s; the Relief Committee also received many applications for employment for consideration and assistance during this perio0d.In an attempt to stimulate membership and activity, a proposal was made at the June 11, 1934, meeting that a member wished to contribute $175 to defray expenses for a Watch Night (New Year’s Eve) Party to be held at the close of 1934. Each married member would receive two admissions, single members, one, with additional tickets available at 50 cents each. The proposal stated that if the event proves to be successful, funds would be available for future years. The party was held on December 31, 1934, at the Town Hall and 180 people attended; it was deemed a success and four new members were brought into the Lodge during the following six months. Wor. William Allen identified himself in June 1935 as the sponsor of this event and another successful affair was held in 1935. By the late 1930s the Lodge membership rolls again started to show an increase maintaining a trend which continued for about 20 years.

During the 1940s the use of visiting degree teams for third degree work became quite prevalent. Most of these represented groups or clubs from businesses where the candidates were employed; others represented fraternal or ethnic groups. They certainly added interest to the meetings and provided a welcome respite for the regular line officers as well as the sideliners.

The largest communication of St. Matthew’s Lodge from an attendance standpoint, was held in the High School Memorial Auditorium on June 16, 1947. The previous evening, Lodge officers and members moved the necessary Lodge furniture to the auditorium and created a replica of the Lodge room on the stage.

After opening of the Lodge a procession was formed and led to the cafeteria where a tenderloin steak dinner was served to 275 brethren. Proceeding back to the auditorium over 300 brethren observed three third degrees performed under the direction of Wor. Calvin E. B. Metcalf.

A Special Communication was held on December 11, 1947 to observe the 125^th Anniversary of St. Matthew’s Lodge; Grand Lodge officers were present. The group formed a procession and went to the Andover High School cafeteria where they were joined by others and partook of a Banquet. Rt. Wor. Malcolm B. McTernan, the only living past D.D.G.M. at the time, reviewed the history of the Lodge as part of the post-prandial exercises. Entertainment consisting of music and a magic show was presented after the speeches; dancing followed.

In 1951, Grand Lodge adopted the policy of awarding 25-year pins to those members who had reached the quarter century mark. At the meeting of September 24, 1951, 87 of 234 brethren eligible to receive this pin were in attendance; the remaining members received theirs through the mail. By the end of 1951, a total of eight 50-year Veterans Medals had been presented to members of St. Matthew’s Lodge.

During the mid 1940s several offers to purchase the Elm Street property had been received and refused but in October 1948 the subject of disposing of that property was brought up before the Lodge. Questionnaires had been sent out in advance and of the 80 replies received, the consensus was 2 to 1 to sell the property because extensive repairs were needed with no funds for those repairs. Further, the income from the Building fund was barely enough to pay the taxes and insurance. The thought of a new Temple was brought up but no action was taken. At the conclusion of the meeting there was no apparent resolution; a subsequent meeting between the Lodge and Square and Compass Club indicated that the repairs could be made without any undue expense to the Lodge. In 1955, the Building Trustees of St. Matthew’s Lodge took over complete control of the Square and Compass Club and the old Flint property since the Club had become incapable of financing the upkeep and care of the building.

May 1952 saw the first increase in dues since 1890 - $5 to $7 per year. This increase resulted from an increase in the rent charged by the Bank for the Lodge Hall on the third floor of their building. The Lodge furniture was reupholstered in the early part of 1955 and a Mosler safe was purchased for the safekeeping of the Lodge records and archives the following year.

As early as 1956 a concerted effort was initiated to acquire a new Lodge hall. In May of that year, a committee was appointed to meet with the Building Trustees to investigate the purchase of the Crystal Ballroom in Shawsheen. Another party purchased this facility before any action could be taken. Discontent grew over ownership of the Square and Compass building and after a long discussion at the March 9, 1959, meeting, it was voted that a motion be printed in the next notice for balloting in April that the Building Trustees be empowered to sell the facility. The vote was finally conducted in September and the motion was defeated, 56 to 14.Two years later discussions were held to identify requirements for a new Temple.

Finally, on September 9, 1963, after many months of effort by several individuals, the Building Trustees presented a plan whereby the Lodge could obtain a new facility. This plan involved a swap of the old Flint estate for a new Lodge building to be erected on the back portion of that land. The purchasers of the property, Bro. Phideas Dantos and John L. Davidson originally offered to buy the property outright but Wor. Bro. William D. McIntyre conceived the “Yankee Swap” arrangement presented at the September meeting. The concept was approved, groundbreaking exercises were conducted in November 1963, and formal Grand Lodge cornerstone laying ceremonies were performed in the rain on June 13, 1964.The last meeting in the bank building was held on December 14, 1964.

The first meeting in the new facility was held on January 11, 1965, but the third degree dinner for that evening was served to 197 brethren at the Free Christian Church because the kitchen facilities were not ready. Dedication of the Masonic Temple took place on April 28, 1965, and was preceded by a dinner for 200 persons in the banquet hall. The Grand Lodge officers, under the direction of Most Wor. A. Neill Osgood, performed the dedication services; Rt. Wor. Carleton E. Schulz was the presiding D.D.G.M. for the Lawrence 11^th Masonic District.

Plans for the 150^th celebration were started shortly after moving into the new facility – funds were set aside yearly to cover the affair. Formal committees were appointed in September 1969 with the series of events to celebrate the sesquicentennial – a dinner and dance – was held on October 6, 1972, at the Andover Country Club. Over 175 brethren, friends and wives attended including the Grand Master, Most Wor. Donald W. Vose, and his wife; Wor. Robert A. Domingue served as the Master of Ceremonies for the evening. The John Charles Orchestra provided music. An Anniversary Service was observed at the Andover Baptist Church on Sunday evening, December 10, 1972. The Anniversary Communication was held the following evening and was highlighted by a fraternal visitation by Most Wor. Donald W. Vose and the presentation of 50 Year Veterans Medals.

Over the past quarter century, the members of St. Matthew’s have been staging events of interest to all the brethren as well as to potential new-comers to attract and maintain a strong membership. The events have included a myriad of themes and audiences and have ranged from Fraternal activities such as Sideliners Night, George Washington Birthday Celebrations and Table Lodges to Little Dances, Cabarets and Showtimes. A picnic was held at the Andover Recreation Park in June 1973, a fishing trip attracted members six years later. A Friendship Ball was sponsored at the Indian Ridge Country Club in April 1985.Since 1977, each December Regular Communication has been adjourned to a Christmas party for members and their spouses; in 1992 Steve Corthells wife, Patti, started a cookie swap at this event, which is repeated yearly. St. Patrick’s and St. Andrew’s Nights proved to be quite popular for a number of years. As the times have changed, the various committe3e members have attempted to mold the entertainment to attract the maximum attendance.

The primary purpose of these activities, obviously, was twofold – to provide entertainment and to provide revenue. Thoughtful brethren also bolstered the financial status of the Lodge in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In 1986, two years before he passed away, Wor. Henry Neunzer donated $5000.00 to be used as an emergency fund by the Lodge for those unplanned expenditures that “cannot wait. ”The purpose of the fund stated that the amount spent could be replaced so that the total would remain ready for the next emergency; this fund has served some very worthwhile functions.

At the Annual Meeting of 1978, Bro. Sid White was quite active in the suggestion process of identifying ways to raise money – little did the attendees realize the role he would play in the financial status of the Lodge through his will following his death in 1983. The Lodge was notified in 1986 of an initial amount of about $5000.00 which Bro. Sid had left to the Lodge – this was used to establish an Education Fund, the interest from which has been used to purchase books for the Lodge and for donations as part of Masonic Awareness. In 1991, the balance of his will allocation was made known to the Lodge and that $161,000 was used to amplify the Permanent Fund to establish an active financial program for the Lodge. These generous brethren and the financial acumen of the Lodge members are helping ensure the viability and continuity of St. Matthew’s Lodge for many years.

The Lodge activities over the past few decades have included several functions intended to promote Masonic Awareness. St. John’s Sundays were an annual occurrence until the late 1980s when public sentiment evidenced a lack of knowledge and understanding. In 1989 the event was cancelled when the Officers were not permitted to wear their collars and Masonic regalia. A subsequent celebration was marred by the distribution of Anti-Masonic pamphlets following the service. An Open House in 1989 also suffered from the minor Anti-Masonic wave emanating from the South in that there was only one visitor to the event. St. Matthew’s Lodge has marched annually in the Memorial Day Parade since 1983 and participation was strongly encouraged by Wor. Al Herling during his term as master in 1987. The Andover Council, Knights of Columbus, and St. Matthew’s Lodge joined forces in December 1973 to sponsor a dinner for the aged in town. The following year, the two organizations sponsored a Christmas Party for the elderly.

When the Elm Green Park was dedicated in November 1995, the Masons of St. Matthew’s Lodge were proud to know that it was their donations that purchased the flagpole, which served as the focal point of the park. The Lodge participated in the early Andover Town Relays in the 1990s and joined with Grand Lodge to provide a marching unit for the 350^th Anniversary Parade in 1996.

Fraternity Nights have become an annual event since their inception in 1977 and provide an excellent source of potential new members. Through careful foresight, individuals who might wish to become Masons are invited to this mutual observation evening. Many of the Lodge officers of the 1980s and 1990s were introduced to St. Matthew’s Lodge by this function.

The By-laws of St. Matthew’s Lodge underwent a major revision/rewrite in 1988 following the initial bequests mentioned above. One of the major thrusts of this revision was to establish a Corporation to maintain the physical property of the Lodge as a wise business maneuver. The Saint Matthew’s Building Association, Inc., was formed in 1989 complete with its own elected officers and set of By-laws; it has been operating as a responsible organization since that time. Another By-laws revision was prompted in 1992 and a Finance Committee was established to replace the Permanent Fund Trustees. This action has ensured active monitoring and control of the Lodge funds.

Throughout this period, the Service Committee, the Building Trustees, the Lodge members and SMBA, Inc. have kept a watchful eye on the condition of the Lodge Building and have provided the proper upgrades and maintenance when required. Curtains, candidate’s attire and aprons were procured in 1977; the Lodge Room was painted in 1979.New lights were installed in the banquet hall in 1984 and then again in 1907, the latter as a donation to the Lodge by a faithful member. The lights which illuminate the third degree carved emblems were installed in 1988, also a gift to the Lodge. The roof was repaired in 1985 along with the exhaust fan system and the heating system was converted the following year. New Officers Aprons were purchased in 1986 and the officer’s jewels were refurbished in 1997.The chairs in the Lodge Hall were re-upholstered in 1994 and new chairs were acquired for the banquet hall the previous year. The present condition of the facility demonstrates that the members are proud of their Masonic Temple and the mission, which it serves.

Plans for the 175^th Anniversary were initiated in earnest as early as May 1995 when it was voted to set monies aside for a proper celebration of that event. Full scale planning was initiated the following year and the many-member committee has worked very hard to bring forth a memorable event worthy of the occasion. The 175^th Anniversary Dinner held at the Andover Marriott is the first of several events planned for the year and was held in the early Fall to enhance the probability of good weather and reduce the possibility of postponement. There will be an Anniversary Communication closer to the Charter date and perhaps other ancillary events. The present prognosis of St. Matthew’s Lodge, its members, spirit and finances, lead one to believe that the Bicentennial Celebration will be staged in 2022.See you there!

Wor. Robert A. Domingue, Historian