The Masonic Messenger The Official Publication of the of Free and Accepted Masons of VOL. 1 - N0. 1 GRAND LODGE OF F&AM OF ALABAMA SPRING 2012 Helion No. 1 Plans 200th Anniversary Celebration Of Masonry In Alabama BY BRO. KEN CARPENTER its celebration of 200 years of Free- of Madison Lodge No. 21 of Hunts- Aug. 28, 1811. This Lodge would be- BICENTENNIAL CHAIRMAN masonry in Alabama by recognizing ville, Mississippi Territory, granted by come Madison Lodge No. 1 of the Saturday, Aug. 25, Helion Lodge the Bicentennial of the Dispensation the Grand Lodge of on , later united No. 1, “The Birthplace of Freema- with Alabama/Bethesda Lodge No. 2 sonry in Alabama”, will celebrate the See complete history of Helion No. 1 on Page 2 of Huntsville, as Helion Lodge No. 1. Bicentennial of in Ala- Ninety-three Master Masons from bama. Kentucky and Alabama assembled at The original charter was granted to Helion’s Masonic Hall to honor this Madison Lodge No. 21 of Huntsville historic occasion by conferring the by the on Master Mason Degree on two Ken- Aug. 28, 1812. “This Lodge ... still tucky brethren, Jerry W. Ford Sr. and exists as Helion No. 1,” according to Jerry W. Ford Jr., and Helion brother Masonry in Alabama by Jackson. Arthur Johnson. Event plans include the dedication The flag of Alabama, flanked by the of the 1917 temple building by the flags of Kentucky and , rep- Grand Lodge of Alabama and the resenting Helion’s origins in these erection of a stone monument plaque states, flew between the grand col- commemorating the history of the umns of the hall portico to welcome Lodge. Kentucky and Tennessee our guests. The Kentucky degree was brethren will be invited.

On Aug. 20, 2011, Helion, began Historic Helion Lodge (See HELION on Page 2)

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OFIT ORG. OFIT NON-PR PAGE 2 THE MASONIC MESSENGER SPRING 2012 A History Of Helion Lodge No. 1 BY BRO. K. CARPENTER Freemasonry in Huntsville, Mississippi Territory, by granting a dispensation In 1811 the “New Orleans” was the first steamboat to land at a Louisville to the brothers of Madison Lodge No. 21, Grand Lodge of Kentucky, receiv- wharf, thus beginning the birth of that city as a great center of commerce ing its charter in Aug., 1812. These brothers would be among the leaders of and culture. In August of this same year the Kentucky brothers established this city as a center of commerce and culture. The brothers of Madison, Ala- bama/Bethesda, and Helion lodges are found among the prominent leaders of HELION government, trade and commerce, medicine, education, and the arts through- Continued from Page 1 out the history of Huntsville and Madison County, as well as Alabama, Mis- sissippi, and Tennessee. conferred by the brothers of McNeil Lodge No. 586 of Lebanon Junction, Trade and business brothers included operative masons, Thomas and Will- “The Traveling Lodge,” and the home lodge of MWGM Donald Yankey. The iam Brandon (natural and Masonic brothers of Madison Lodge), Historian wardens’ pillars used by the Kentucky brethren were those once used by Helion, WM Kachelhofer opened the lodge. Helion’s original 1811 Bible was upon Judge T. J. Taylor refers to them as, “the builders of the city, had come here the altar. Hon. Ray Tanner, District Lecturer, introduced the Grand Lodge (from Franklin, Tenn.) in 1810 with no property except their trowels and great officers of Alabama, who received private grand honors, after-which the Grand skill in their trade, and from a straggling wooding village they made a city of Lodge Officers of Kentucky, led by MWGM Yankey, were received. stone and brick.” SW Carpenter made appropriate remarks recognizing the fore-brothers of Helion: of Helios, Greek Titan God of Light Madison Lodge No. 21, who began the practice of Masonry on Sept. 6, 1811, In 1824 Helion Lodge No. 1 was established by the Grand Lodge of Ala- and among whom were the leading political, agricultural, and commercial, bama by the union of Alabama Lodge No.1 (Est. 1821, formerly Madison No. leaders of not only Huntsville, but of Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. 21 of Kentucky) and Bethesda Lodge No. 2. Bethesda was formerly Alabama The Alabama Master Mason degree was conferred upon Bro. Arthur Johnson Lodge No. 21 of the in 1818, becoming Alabama by PM Tanner. PGM Larry Hancock represented the East for a portion of the No. 2 of Ala., in 1821, and later Bethesda No. 2 of Ala. Thus, as the great degree. Prior to the Kentucky degree, Bro. Carpenter introduced the theme of Tennessee River unites the Commonwealth of Kentucky with the states of the bicentennial program, the recognition of the development of Freemasonry Alabama and Tennessee, so also is Helion Lodge a symbol of Masonic broth- in Alabama. Brothers of Helion, Rising Virtue No. 4, St. Stevens No. 616, and erhood among these great states. Solar No. 914 read brief histories of 36 early Alabama lodges. Brother Founding Fathers of Huntsville, and Grand Lodge officers, Grand Lodge of Kentucky in attendance were: the Establishment of the Lodge Hall MW Grand Master Donald H. Yankey, RW Grand Senior Warden Chris L. Tradition holds that the founding fathers of Huntsville, John Hunt and Leroy Stout, Grand Senior Deacon Donald M. Moore, Grand Junior Deacon Michael Pope were brother Masons. Col. Pope’s grand mansion, “Poplar Grove”, one Yount, Grand Tyler, G. Michael Miller Sr., Dep. District Grand Master Bob of the earliest brick structures in Alabama, was built in 1814. In 1823, he sold Neal, Deputy Grand Master Terry L. Bowman, Dist. Dep. GM Mickey a lot fronting this grand estate (sale price of one dollar) that “the three Ma- Cheatham, MW Past Grand Master Curtis Johnson, Howard Cross (Bio. sonic Bodies now constituted and subsisting in Huntsville, Eunomia Chapter Comm. Chair), PM J. William Riggs (Keepers of Work Comm.) and Cory V, Madison Lodge I, and Bethesda Lodge II or such... regularly constituted Stovall Sr. (Comm. on By-Laws), Masonic Body or Bodies... to... cause to be erected and finished Building and Alabama Grand Lodge officers in attendance were: Deputy Grand Master Improvements....” C. Sterling Hughes, Grand Secretary Jerry M. Underwood, PGM; Junior Grand Thus began the first Lodge building, Eunomia Hall (Eunomia: Greek God- Warden Lane Weatherbee, Senior Grand Deacon John Bradshaw, Junior Grand dess of law and legislation). On Nov. 22, 1823, the brothers of Madison, Deacon Jimmy L. Holt, Junior Grand Steward Winston Each, Grand Orator Karl Reed and PGM Hancock (Bethesda), and “a number of visiting bretheren from neighbor lodges... form- All assembled departed in the spirit of friendship and brotherly love. It is ing procession in order to lay the Corner stone of Eunomia Hall...” The first the opinion of Chairman Carpenter, that our fore-brothers of Madison Lodge floor served as the school of Mrs. Jane Childs (1848- 1853), a meeting place No. 21 would be well pleased by the manner in which they had been honored for the Baptist Society, and as the synagogue for the congregation B’nai Sha- and remembered on this occasion. lom from 1876 to 1898. Five congregation members were Helion Brothers. Helion Bicentennial Committee members were Chairman Ken Carpenter, This building remained until 1920, and was attached to the north wall of the SW; Ed. Kachelhofer, WM; Jerry Burpee, PM; Vern Shakel, Rick Storey, Jim present 1917 temple. Blanteno, PM; James Henley, Sec. Garry Smith, PM; and Michael Feld, PM. War Between the States During the War Between the States, Helion was a Lodge Divided, as some of its Brothers served the forces of the Confederacy, while other Brothers Rising Sun To Host Fishing Tourney were prominent Unionist leaders. Huntsville was occupied by Union forces beginning in April of 1862 to the end of the war. With death and destruction Rising Sun Lodge No. 29 is hosting a fishing tournament on June 2 to throughout the Tennessee Valley, unlike other Valley Lodges, Helion’s benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. Eunomia Hall escaped destruction. The “Hooked on Decatur” bass fishing team tournament will be limited to 100 boats (teams) and will launch from Ingall’s Harbor on beautiful Lake Wheeler. Start time is at safe light and weigh in is at 4 p.m. The top five weights will receive cash prizes. 2012 Dates To Remember The entry fee is $100 per boat (team) if registered prior to June 1, and $125 •ELECTION OF AND INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS-The for the day of the tournament. Anyone who would like to fish in the tourna- Masonic Code states that officers will be elected at the regular ment or provide much needed assistance for this event please contact tourney officials at [email protected]. Communication preceding June 24, and be installed as soon as For more information visit HookedOnDecatur.com, RisingSun29.org or practicable after the election, but in no case longer than 45 days woundedwarriorproject.org . after the election. •ANNUAL LODGE REPORTS-Each lodge must file all annual The Masonic Messenger reports with Grand Lodge no later thanAug 14. A complete list of the reports may be found in A6-S2 and report dates in 8.13 of The Official Publication of the Grand Lodge of F&AM of Alabama Published semi-annually at Millbrook, Alabama the Alabama Masonic Code. •COMMITTEE ON WORK WORKSHOP-The Grand Lodge Please send all changes of address Committee on Work will conduct a workshop at Coosa Valley and membership status to your Lodge in Sylacauga on July 21. The committee will meet from lodge secretary. 8-10 a.m., then open the workshop from 10 a.m.-noon. SPRING 2012 THE MASONIC MESSENGER PAGE 3 A Report From The Grand Master We Need By STERLING HUGHES the past several years has slowed and and by your actions in your commu- MW GRAND MASTER is showing signs of improvement. We nity someone may want to emulate I hope this newsletter finds you well may still have some challenges ahead you by becoming a Mason. Third, Your Help By LANE WEATHERBEE and in excellent spirits. We have much of us, but I am convinced that by $42.50 of the tag purchase price goes working together we can turn these into the Charitable Outreach Endow- SENIOR GRAND WARDEN to be thankful for. We live in the fin- Greetings, brethren. We, your challenges into opportunities and ac- ment to fund the various programs. est country the world has ever known, Grand Lodge officers, need your are residents of the great state of Ala- complish any goal we set. •E-Masons: I am encouraging each help. Many Grand Lodges across bama and are members of the world’s Speaking of opportunity, let me call of you to sign up on the Grand Lodge the country publish newsletters for greatest fraternity. your attention to a few important pro- E-Masons list. their members. Your Grand Lodge is financially grams your Grand Lodge has in You will have access to all posted At the suggestion of Junior Grand sound, and our membership decline of progress: Grand Lodge information; Lodge Warden John Strickling, a newslet- •The Charitable Outreach Program meetings, degrees, etc. It is our goal ter for Alabama Masons has been for 2011 -2012 consists of the Ala- to have all our members signed up as discussed. The format is as you see it, based on a template I created for bama Masonic Scholarship Plan, E-Masons. the “Masonic Messenger.” It was Matching Fund Plan, Catastrophic For information on any of these or suggested that we publish two edi- Relief Plans, Scholarship Matching other Grand Lodge programs, please tions per year, one in the spring and Fund Plan, Youth Sports Assistance contact your Lodge Secretary, your the other in the fall. Plan and Social Service Plan. Infor- District Lecturer, or the Grand Lodge From this template we were able mation on these programs may be Office. to obtain quotes on printing and obtained from the Grand Lodge Let me close by saying that being mailing this newsletter to our website “alafreemasonry.org” or by your Grand Master is the greatest nearly 28,000 members. The lowest quote came from contacting your Lodge. honor of my life. As I travel around davisdirect, a Montgomery com- •Alabama Masonic License Plate the state visiting the various lodges, I pany with whom the Grand Lodge Program: By purchasing a Masonic am treated with the utmost courtesy has done business several times. Tag for your car or truck you will ac- and respect. I am appreciative of the The original quote for printing, ad- complish three things. First you let friendship, brotherly love and affec- dressing and mailing was $5,854. everyone know that you are a Mason. tion shown to me and my wife, As usual, our Grand Secretary did Second, you are displaying the square Shirley. I ask for your continued sup- an outstanding job in reviewing the and compasses for the world to see, port and prayers throughout the year. budget and finding the funds for MWGM Sterling Hughes this project. After a few weeks had passed, we received notification from davisdirect concerning a postal increase. The increased A Grand Lodge Website Report mailing cost and new regulations By JOEY D’ANDREA Lodge website. Lets go back to the information, links and pictures. It was boosted the price to $7,317.90. ASST. WEBMASTER first days of the Grand Lodge website reviewed by an independent reviewer The Corporate Board has pub- 2011 was a very productive year for in Alabama. The site was a hand-writ- (for lack of something better to call lished this first edition as a test. The the Internet Committee and the Grand ten in HTML code which had lots of it) and was rated very positively. They cost of this single issue is within wrote “The website is very straight budget parameters, a second edition forward in that most of the active links would exceed the existing budget. live right on its front page. The plus While it would certainly not cause Membership Matters is that if there is a desire to add some- bankruptcy, it would be an unex- By JOHN R. STRICKLING thing, it just needs to be hand-coded. pected, unbudgeted expense. JUNIOR GRAND WARDEN The down side is that it needs to be Here is where your opinion is Membership numbers have been of concern to the Grand Lodges through- hand-coded, which can be time con- needed: out North America for several years. Various methods have been tried to suming for the coder.” They com- •Do you think a semi-yearly news- increase the number of candidates receiving degrees, and hence more Ma- mended the person who maintained letter would be beneficial to the sons. Instead of worrying about the numbers, our concern should be about the the website, who was at that time, Bro. brethren of Alabama? •Do you think the benefit to the quality and how we can put to use what we have. Butch Taylor. brethren would justify the cost of Opportunity! Freemasonry is not, and never was intended for the masses. Hand-coded! Truer words were Freemasonry is for men of good moral and ethical character who believe in publication ($14,634.80). never spoken. When I came on board •While we will be posting an elec- God, and who have a strong desire to better themselves by associating with in 2009, that’s the way it was. Every- men of like-minded will and character. We have 28,000 of these men. Do tronic copy of Masonic Messenger thing, all the information, all the links, at the Grand Lodge web site, do you you see the opportunity we have before us? I challenge you to get involved in pictures and files had to be hand- think this would be an acceptable this fraternity, if not in the ritual or an elected office, then by attending meet- coded using HTML. For those of you method of communication, rather ings; leading and helping your Lodge in civic projects; aiding local charities; who have knowledge about HTML, than the cost of printing or mail- helping in youth sports or anything that the brethren can think of to publicly you know what I’m talking about. For ing? contribute to your community and state. . those of you who have no clue, let me •Would emailing an electronic copy Thank God in heaven for our present members and know we can and will just tell you that if you miss one single of Masonic Messenger to all make a difference. At some point in time there was only one Freemason in the period or quote mark among hun- eMasons be an acceptable alterna- territory that was to become Alabama, so don’t dwell on past numbers. Our dreds, or even thousands of charac- tive? future lies with our current membership and when our participation increases, ters on a single web-page, you won’t Please consider these questions, and I know it will, prospective members will come in greater numbers. see what you’re supposed to see. It formulate your opinions and let us If you have any ideas or suggestions as to how we can get more of our literally took hours to place events on know. You can do this by contact- members involved please share them with me. My email address is the events page or input the Grand ing your Worshipful Master, Dis- “[email protected]”. Lodge officers’ itinerary and commit- trict Lecturer or Committee on Please go to the Grand Lodge website and sign up on E-Masons. This will tee pages. It remained that way for Work member. allow you to view all the events throughout the state and receive important the following two years. Thank you, and we will be await- announcements. (See WEBSITE on Page 4) ing your opinions. PAGE 4 THE MASONIC MESSENGER SPRING 2012 An Update On Your Grand Lodge Building By JERRY M. UNDERWOOD, PGM attendance during the passing rem- GRAND SECRETARY nants of Hurricane Ida, which had just Here’s an update on your new come out of the Gulf of Mexico. Grand Lodge office building. Most Your Grand Lodge office was de- of you know our Grand Lodge office signed and constructed with unique is located in Millbrook, approximately features for comfort and long-term 15 miles north of Montgomery. The use. The structure has over 5,700 SF address location is 341 Monument on the main level with offices, con- Drive, Millbrook. The building is on ference area and library. The Library the left behind the MAX Credit Union, has a dedicated HVAC system with an approximately 2.3 miles east on Hwy additional dehumidifier for the many 14 from Interstate 65, Exit No. 181. books and articles that number better The building is easily accessible and than 5,000. The structure has 1,490 You are welcome to visit the new Grand Lodge Headquarters will become a landmark for Masons SF on the lower level which has a of Alabama for years to come. dedicated climate control system for It took several years of property storage of old Grand Lodge archives search and presentations to the Breth- and regular use items. The lower level ren to produce this fine building. The is also considered a safe area concern- Brethren and Lodges gave final ap- ing bad weather issues. proval to build the new building at the The Grand Lodge Office building Grand Lodge session of 2007. The belongs to all the Masons of Alabama. Masons of Alabama took possession Many of the Brethren have toured the of the property in November 2009 and building facility since its occupancy. actually performed a cornerstone cer- You are always welcome to come by emony during the 2009 Annual Grand and see your Grand Lodge office. We Lodge communication. This cer- feel you would be proud and im- emony was conducted with many in pressed with the facility. Thousands of books, articles in Grand Lodge Library Decatur Receives National Award For Its Excellence in Programs, Communications The Masonic Information Center During the past six years, the MIC, strengthened our lodge. As lodge ac- George Braatz, Executive Secretary of (MIC) has awarded Rising Sun the information arm of the Masonic tivity intensified, Masonic values have MSANA. Lodge, Decatur, one of just 18 na- Service Association of North America radiated out in to our local commu- “The Twain Award encourages tional Mark Twain Awards for dem- (MSANA), has presented the Mark nity.” Lodges to make Freemasonry relevant onstrating excellence in 2011 Ma- Twain Award distinction to more than The Masonic values, he noted, are to the diverse backgrounds and ages sonic activities. 100 lodges across the continent. the historic Masonic emphasis on im- of its members and its communities,” The award recognizes Rising Sun MSANA is headquartered in Silver portance of education, self-improve- he added. “We feel public interest in Lodge’s planning, execution, and Spring, MD. ment, good works, and fellowship. the Masonic Fraternity is on the rise, communication in activities that both The award competition “has clearly “There are some 10,000 Lodges and Lodges like Rising Sun are mak- invigorate Freemasonry’s identity benefitted Rising Sun Lodge,” Joseph across North America, and Decatur ing significant contributions to the throughout the community and enrich Jeffries, who was lodge master dur- Lodge should be very proud of being growing interest in Masonry that we the quality of educational and frater- ing the award year, said. “New ac- selected part of the elite group of Mark see throughout North America.” nal experiences within the lodge. tivities were initiated that have Twain Award winners this year,” said Most historians believe that Free- masonry arose from stonemasons’ WEBSITE guilds in the Middle Ages and began Continued from Page 3 to mass mail district lectures by group time messaging to chat about anything to flourish in the 1700s in Europe, the With the addition of Jeff Rutledge or district, and the committee’s by they want to. A way to keep in touch American Colonies, and Canada. To- and Joel Bryant for the 2010 – 2011 their separate committees. with brethren regardless of where in day, North America’s Masonic Frater- nity provides fellowship for more than calendar year the MWPGM Brother Changes have also been made to the state they reside. The only require- Ron Andress gave us the green light ments are that you have to be a MM 1.4 million members. Go to the Lodge location database. You can www.msana.com for more informa- to up-date the Website and up-date we now search for Lodges by inputting in Alabama in good standing, register did. It was given a face lift with a tion about Freemasonry and the Mark the as an E-Mason and sign up for the Twain Award. new web interface in the fall, making City, County, group or district. message board. The forum was the website look modern, up-to-date’ There are now GPS coordinates of launched and in less than 24 hours we and easier to navigate. Several addi- over 269 Alabama lodges. Upcoming registered more than 140 forum mem- tional hurdles had to be addressed af- changes will allow you to see upcom- bers. That number has grown since it ter the launch; getting the old pages ing work for a particular Lodge, dis- was first launch. working in the new format but the trict, or group, and be automatically Regarding E-Masons; at the time of feedback has helped and been over- emailed notifications of that upcom- this writing we have about 2,300 reg- all positive. ing work as soon as it is posted. istered E-Masons. Our goal is to reg- We automated more functions this Speaking of events, more than 1000 ister all masons in Alabama who have year, to include the officers’ itinerar- events were posted last calendar year a computer or who have access to one. ies, eMasons, Events and Committee on the events page. There are about 27,000 Masons in the web-pages and converted those all to The Internet Committee has been State of Alabama, and as such, we their own databases. Also, by creat- hard at work and continues to do so have our work cut out for us. Please, ing the databases it gives us the abil- for the 2011-2012 calendar year. By pass the word, inform the brethren in ity to mass e-mail select groups of the time you read this article the your lodge. It’s easy, it’s free and it Masons, i.e. just the members of the Trestleboard, the Grand Lodge of holds the key to our future. The , or just the members Alabama’s message board will have website is your tool. Use it as often who have signed up for death or sick- already been in operation. It gives the as you can. It’s here for you. Thank ness notices or just one particular Masons in Alabama a website for real- you for allowing us to work for you. lodge. In the Future we will be able MSI’s Mark Twain Trophy