Part III - Culture, a supplement to the Big Rapids Pioneer Newspaper. Used with permission.



BIG RAPIDS MASONIC LODGE FOUNDED IN 1866, STILL ACTIVE TODAY
By Jim Crees, Special to the Pioneer

In 1855 when early settlers first began trekking into what would become Big Rapids, there were lodges of the Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons in virtually every city, town and village in the United States.

In Michigan, the first Masonic Lodge was chartered in Detroit - a military Lodge of British soldiers which had met regularily and even had occasional fraternal relationships with French Freemasons despite the hostilities between those two countries in the region.

The first Masonic Lodge in Michigan still exists under the charter of Zion Lodge 1.

Fraternal membership in the Masonic order in Michigan grew and moved into the "frontier" of the developing state areas with trappers and logging crews.

In the end of the 19th century, one in every four men living in the United States was a member of the Masonic fraternity.

In Big Rapids, Masons gathered together to charter their Lodge on Feb. 6, 1866.

The Big Rapids Lodge was the 171st to be created in the state of Michigan which demonstrates the early importance of this city if one considers that there are now some 600 Masonic Lodges around the state.

Looking at early Lodge membership rolls, it would appear that virtually all the 'movers and shakers' of the burgeoning Big Rapids community were members of the Lodge.

The officers roll of the lodge chartered in 186 includes such personalities as A.S. Mason, Charlie Gay, B.E. Hutchinson, E.O. Rose and more.

Charlie Gay was one example of the influence the Lodge had on the extended community and Freemasonary in Michigan as well.

Gay founded the Mecosta County Pioneer on April 17, 1862 and joined forces with Rose in 1876 when he combined the Pioneer with Rose's Big Rapids Magnet. The Magnet was founded by Rose as the Big Rapids Independent in 1870 with the name being changes to the Magnet in 1874.

Gay was elevated to prominent positions in the state Masonic organizations and took part in the development of affilliated organizations as well.

In Big Rapids, the Masonic Lodge brought abou the creation of component Masonic groups and clubs such as the Big Rapids Chapter of of Royal Arch Masons, the King Solomon Council of Royal and Select Masons, the Pilgrim Commandery of Knights Templar and, later, a very active chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, the Masonic organization for women.

Gay was incolved in many of these organizations and active in the state fraternity as well.

He was honored with having the Big Rapids Masonic youth organization - DeMolay - named after him.

Other members of the fraternity who figure well in the history of the city include William R. Rogers, George W. Trowbridge and at least three members of the Hanchett famiy.

Woodbridge N. Ferris was the 414th member of the Lodge. His son Phelps became a Master Mason in 1913.

The Big Rapids Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons was prominently located in their building - downtown - a fine home for the Fraternity constructed in the early 1920's during the Michigan Avenue business district.

The building was later sold and is now occupied by Shooters.

' The Lodge relocated in their present facility located on 19 Mile Road just east of old U.S. 131 in the late 1980's.

Big Rapids Lodge members still meet regularly the first Monday of every month and remain active in their community holding events to raise funds in support of local food pantries and schools.

The membership hopes to grow and continue to be not only a historic but meaningful presence throughout the Big Rapids area.

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