FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012, THE SENTINEL-NEWS, SHELBYVILLE, KY. — A3 Lodges have a long history You may have heard of various “lodges” in Shelby County. Maybe you’ve seen notices of their meetings and wondered what they do. We told you earlier about circles, so now we offer this explanation about what a lodge is and Staff photo by Todd Martin where it came from. The Solomon’s Lodge, housed in this building on U.S. 60 next to the Masonic Home, was created in 1800. At that time it was the first Masonic Lodge in Shelby County and only the fifth in Kentucky. There are a variety of active lodges recent years have we accepted public accolades for our good in Shelby County. Their meetings and HOW LONG HAVE THEY BEEN IN works.” fundraisers show up in events listings, The most recognizable work from Masons comes in the SHELBY COUNTY? form of scholarships and, of course, the Masonic Homes. and you may know members. “The first lodge in Shelby County was the Abraham, “In Kentucky, in 1867, we established a home for But the groups – unlike circles that U.D.,” said Rick Nation, secretary of Shelby Lodge in widows and orphans in Louisville, and in 1901, a home for Waddy and Grand Senior Warden for the Grand Lodge of aged Masons in Shelbyville. These have since been merged support local entities – sometimes Kentucky. into the Masonic Homes of Kentucky and are now open to appear secret and even mysterious, with Started by the Grand Lodge of Virginia, Abraham U.D. the public,” Nation said. went on to help create the Grand Lodge of Kentucky in that being supported by legend. October of 1800. But they are hardly new. “Kentucky was the first Grand Lodge west of the WHAT DO LODGES CONTRIBUTE? For more than two centuries Masons, Allegheny Mountains, and Shelbyville was one of the for- “Nationally, Masons contribute approximately two mative lodges,” Nation noted. “At that time a charter was million dollars daily to various charities,” he said. “The as the most prominently recognized issued for Solomon’s Lodge No. 5, and that lodge is still in Shriners Hospitals are possibly the best know of our phi- lodge, have been active in and around existence on the ground adjoining the Masonic Home of lanthropies. All Shriners are Masons. Also, other Masonic Shelbyville on U.S. 60.” affiliated groups, such as the Scottish Rite, York Rite, Tall the county, and Shelby played a vital The Solomon’s Lodge was the fifth created in Kentucky, Cedars, Eastern Star, etc., support and fund specific chari- role in helping establish the Free & and several more sprang up in the Kentucky as the asso- ties.” ciation continued to grow. However, over time many have Although there are nearly 400 Lodges in Kentucky, Accepted Masons in what was then con- either dissolved or combined with other groups leaving each are independent entities governed by the Grand sidered the west. Shelby County with three lodges, Solomon’s, Wingate Lodge. Although, Nation said, occasionally one or more No. 161 in Simpsonville, which was created in 1847, and lodges may come together to work on a specific project, But there other lodges, and this might Shelby No. 662, in Waddy, created in 1891. usually a philanthropic effort. help you have a better understanding of how they operate. OW DO YOU BECOME A TODD MARTIN WHAT ABOUT THOSE MYSTERIOUS H THEORIES? MEMBER? WHERE DID IT START? The Masons have inspired conspiracy theories since The society does not recruit members, instead relying No one is quite sure when the organization started, 1700s, and most involve either the control of government, on the word of mouth of the society and its work in the but it is considered the oldest fraternity in the world. In religion and popular cultural. public. 1717 the first Grand Lodge was formed in England, and Some of that mystery is because for centuries Masons A potential member can ask for a petition and must it grew to Scotland and Ireland within the next few years. provided public services, but rejected any public recogni- meet a few requirements: be a man, be of sound mind The first Grand Lodge in the United States, the Grand tion. and body, believe in God and, in Kentucky, be at least 18 Lodge of Ancient York Masons, was formed in 1778 in “Masons avoided any public acknowledgement of their years old. If a man meets those requirements, he can then Williamsburg, Va. philanthropy, for, literally, centuries,” Nation said. “Only in request a formal petition of his local lodge. register to win!!! Register for a chance to win a two-year pre-paid lease on a Stop by any of our Shelby County branches or visit CBandT.com! 6KHOE\.URJHU%UDQFK is celebrating their 1-year Anniversary in March! Come see the car for yourself March 16-24! Find us on ! No purchase necessary. Must be 18 or over and have a valid driver’s license to enter. Employees of CBandT / Power Creative agency & their immediate families are ineligible. Entries may be submitted at CBandT.com or in person at any of our 15 branch locations. Registration ends May 3, 2012 at midnight. Winner will be chosen by random drawing and announced on May 4, 2012. Winner must be approved by Ford Motor Credit Company to assume the two-year prepaid lease. Winner will receive 1099 tax form for the value of the lease ($10,500). Ask a Banker for a copy of the Official Contest Rules..