Congratulations to Southampton Radiant Star Lodge No. 806, F. & A.M. for 50 years of Freemasonry.
CREATION OF SOUTHAMPTON LODGE
In the early 1950s, Upper Southampton Township, like so many communities surrounding Philadelphia, was experiencing “Suburban Sprawl”. Many Masons were moving into the Southampton area. Brother Ralph Weiss, who was employed by Bell Telephone, had many fellow workers who were Masons and lived in the area. They conceived the idea of forming a Square Club, which would be composed of Masons in the community. Brother Weiss was also the township tax collector and had knowledge of many residents who were Masons. As word spread, quite a list of local Masons was compiled. A letter was sent with a salutation “Dear Sir and Brother – There will be a meeting at the Conestoga Gun Club –“. This was enough said, and the building barely held the crowd that responded.
In 1956, the Southampton Square Club was organized. The Club was unique in that it did not evolve out of a Blue Lodge or a place of employment as many square clubs do. To this day they screen, vouch, and vote on their applications for Membership. They Tile their meetings, and do not permit alcoholic beverages at their Meetings. It is chartered in the State of Pennsylvania. It has been a successful and well-recognized community organization. They participate in many community and combined service club activities.
In 1966, when Brother Paul Voegler was President of the Club, it was the suggestion of several Members that we form a Degree Team. We felt that by Conferring the Third Degree on local men joining the Craft that we would not only enjoy great satisfaction, but would also make the Candidate and other Masons present, aware of the Club.
The newly formed Degree Team, under the direction of Brothers Robert Louden and John Weidner, conferred their first Degree by Raising Brother Frederick A. Shearer in Newtown Lodge No. 427. Then, in 1967 they Raised Brother Albert F. Zimmerman in W. K. Bray Lodge No. 410. That same evening, while at refreshment in the Lodge banquet hall, the Degree Team members discussed and decided to attempts to start a new Lodge in Southampton. We were aware that many of the Club members belonged to Lodges that met at the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia. They were unable to get home from work and then travel to Philadelphia to attend their Lodge. Others were originally members of Lodges upstate who moved to Philadelphia during World War II to participate in defense work. Some were from out of state Lodges.
Finally on February 10, 1968, Southampton Lodge No. 806 F. & A. M. was Constituted in Corinthian Hall at the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia. Brother James Ennis was then the President of the Square Club. Almost a year had passed since first embarking on the venture. Attending were two hundred thirteen brethren.
The newly formed Lodge held its first Stated Meeting on February 19, 1968, barely a week after receiving its Constitution. There were fifty-eight of the seventy Warrant Members present, and twenty-six visitors, among them the D.D.G.M. A listing of the seventy Warrant Members follows this article.
RADIANT STAR LODGE NO. 606
Radiant Star Lodge No. 606 Free & Accepted Masons was constituted April 26, 1895. The first Worshipful Master was Brother James B. Duffy.
MERGER OF LODGES NO. 806 AND NO. 606
At the November 27, 1977 Stated Meeting of Southampton Lodge No. 806, Brother Henry M. Cole, P.M., spoke to members relative to a Lodge desiring to merge with it. Joseph Sakmary, W.M., appointed a committee of ten Brothers; nine of them Past Masters, to further pursue the matter.
The background of the merger request was not unusual. Radiant Star Lodge No. 606, meeting at the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia, was having a problem getting enough members to fill the chairs. The chairs were occupi9ed by Past Masters. The Worshipful Master, Brother Eugene Hetherington, P.M., was serving his fourth term as Master of Lodge No. 606. They were at risk of losing their Warrant. Brother George J. Methlie, P.M., of Lodge No. 606 worked at Bell Telephone with Brother Ralph J. Weiss, P.M., of Lodge No. 806. This was the connection that prompted Radiant Star Lodge No. 606 to approach Southampton Lodge No. 806. Meetings were co-chaired by Brothers Methlie of Lodge No. 606 and Cole of Lodge 806.
SOUTHAMPTON RADIANT STAR LODGE NO. 806
At the Stated Meeting of April 17, 1978, Southampton Lodge No. 806 passed a resolution “That Radiant Star Lodge No. 606 F. & A. M., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania merger with Southampton Lodge No. 806, F. & A. M., Southampton, Pennsylvania and be known as Southampton-Radiant Star Loge No. 806, F. & A. M., Hatboro, Pennsylvania.”
At the September 18, 1978 Stated Meeting, a Communication from the Grand Secretary was read, stating that the merger between the two Lodges was approved at the Grand Lodge Quarterly Communication held at New Castle, Pennsylvania on September 7, 1978. The merger was to become effective on October 16, 1978, at the Stated Meeting of Southampton Lodge No. 806, thereafter to be known as Southampton Radiant Star Lodge No. 806.
This merger not only added approximately two hundred new members, but also joined with us many fine Brothers. The activities of the Lodge since that time have shown improvement, this is due in part to the funds brought in from Radiant Star Lodge No. 606, which enabled us to greatly increase our charitable endeavors.
Excerpts from the 50th Anniversary Program Book – 2018