McCulloch Lodge 737, F&AM
About Us
Our Beginnings
Between the years 1887 and 1951, Samaritan Lodge # 105 had grown from one hundred thirty-three (133) members to over one thousand (1000). Seeing the need for another Lodge, several interested Masons met for the first few months of 1951 and discussed the possibility of a new Lodge. During this time, the needs, meeting facilities, finances, officers and a name were discussed. All signed an application to the Grand Lodge for dispensation to organize a new Lodge under the name of McCulloch. The need for more Masonic work having been established, Samaritan Lodge #105 granted permission to the new Lodge to use the Masonic Temple located at 418 South Boots St. in Marion. Each Master Mason who aspired to be a charter member donated $15.00 to initiate a general fund. It was agreed that no more than five (5) members would transfer from Samaritan 105. Brothers Donavan A. Earnhart, Arthur A. Osborn, and Robert C. Williamson were nominated as Worshipful Master, Senior Warden and Junior Warden, respectively. On September 19, 1951, Most Worshipful Brother Oswald A. Tislow, the Grand Master, granted McCulloch Lodge a Dispensation to work until May 1, 1952. Brothers Ward E. Bailey, P.M. and Herbert Dewees, P.M. of Fort Wayne were appointed as deputies to the Grand Master to assist in the organization of the new Lodge and in the instruction of the work.
McCulloch Lodge U.D. began work immediately by receiving petitions, conferring degrees and conducting stated meetings. On January 24, 1952, the first Fellow Crafts were raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason. This group consisted of Brothers James M. Knight, Kermit A. Botkin, and Arthur B. Quigley. Work under dispensation ended after thirty-three (33) Master Masons had affiliated and seventeen (17) had been raised making a total of fifty (50) who were eligible to become charter members.
At a dinner meeting in the banquet room of the Masonic Temple on June 3, 1952, Past Grand Master Oswald A. Tislow presented McCulloch Lodge with Charter number 737, dated May 21, 1952. Most Worshipful Brother Ralph E. Legeman, then Grand Master, installed the officers in a Lodge opened by Samaritan Lodge #105.
Between the years 1887 and 1951, Samaritan Lodge # 105 had grown from one hundred thirty-three (133) members to over one thousand (1000). Seeing the need for another Lodge, several interested Masons met for the first few months of 1951 and discussed the possibility of a new Lodge. During this time, the needs, meeting facilities, finances, officers and a name were discussed. All signed an application to the Grand Lodge for dispensation to organize a new Lodge under the name of McCulloch. The need for more Masonic work having been established, Samaritan Lodge #105 granted permission to the new Lodge to use the Masonic Temple located at 418 South Boots St. in Marion. Each Master Mason who aspired to be a charter member donated $15.00 to initiate a general fund. It was agreed that no more than five (5) members would transfer from Samaritan 105. Brothers Donavan A. Earnhart, Arthur A. Osborn, and Robert C. Williamson were nominated as Worshipful Master, Senior Warden and Junior Warden, respectively. On September 19, 1951, Most Worshipful Brother Oswald A. Tislow, the Grand Master, granted McCulloch Lodge a Dispensation to work until May 1, 1952. Brothers Ward E. Bailey, P.M. and Herbert Dewees, P.M. of Fort Wayne were appointed as deputies to the Grand Master to assist in the organization of the new Lodge and in the instruction of the work.
McCulloch Lodge U.D. began work immediately by receiving petitions, conferring degrees and conducting stated meetings. On January 24, 1952, the first Fellow Crafts were raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason. This group consisted of Brothers James M. Knight, Kermit A. Botkin, and Arthur B. Quigley. Work under dispensation ended after thirty-three (33) Master Masons had affiliated and seventeen (17) had been raised making a total of fifty (50) who were eligible to become charter members.
At a dinner meeting in the banquet room of the Masonic Temple on June 3, 1952, Past Grand Master Oswald A. Tislow presented McCulloch Lodge with Charter number 737, dated May 21, 1952. Most Worshipful Brother Ralph E. Legeman, then Grand Master, installed the officers in a Lodge opened by Samaritan Lodge #105.
Today
McCulloch Lodge #737 maintained it's home in the Marion Masonic Temple until a decision was made in 2005 to begin looking for a building of our own. The Lodge relocated temporarily to Gas City, Indiana holding it's meetings and degree work in the Masonic Temple owned by Gas City Lodge #645.
In 2008, a building was acquired (pictured above) at 200 E. Swayzee St. in Marion, Indiana and construction began to renovate this building for use as a Masonic Temple. After much dedicated work and time that has been volunteered by our members, McCulloch Lodge #737 was opened for the first time in our new home on the Fellowcraft Degree by Worshipful Master Duane Johnson. Thomas Nelson Sr., P.M. sat in the East and conducted the Fellowcraft degree on Brother Nathan Johnson (the Worshipful Master's son). Members from seven (7) different Lodges were in attendance for this special occasion.
Construction on our building is complete except for a few small odds & ends. A dedication ceremony was performed on September 20th of 2008 by the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Indiana and the officers of the Grand Lodge of Indiana.
McCulloch Lodge #737 maintained it's home in the Marion Masonic Temple until a decision was made in 2005 to begin looking for a building of our own. The Lodge relocated temporarily to Gas City, Indiana holding it's meetings and degree work in the Masonic Temple owned by Gas City Lodge #645.
In 2008, a building was acquired (pictured above) at 200 E. Swayzee St. in Marion, Indiana and construction began to renovate this building for use as a Masonic Temple. After much dedicated work and time that has been volunteered by our members, McCulloch Lodge #737 was opened for the first time in our new home on the Fellowcraft Degree by Worshipful Master Duane Johnson. Thomas Nelson Sr., P.M. sat in the East and conducted the Fellowcraft degree on Brother Nathan Johnson (the Worshipful Master's son). Members from seven (7) different Lodges were in attendance for this special occasion.
Construction on our building is complete except for a few small odds & ends. A dedication ceremony was performed on September 20th of 2008 by the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Indiana and the officers of the Grand Lodge of Indiana.
