Home - Archive Index - 2010 Archives - 150th Anniversary Celebration
St. John's Lodge Celebrates its
150th Birthday
Let’s do this again, sometime! Earlier in the month of September the brothers of St. John's No. 9 recognized 150 years of history as a Lodge by inviting the public to share in a rededication or reconstitution ceremony. This was followed later in the day by nothing less than a dazzling social bash high atop the tallest building in the northwest – the Columbia Tower – where dinner was served and we heard inspiring words from guest speaker Ill. Bro. Jim Tresner of Guthrie, Oklahoma.
First, the afternoon reconstitution was performed by our Grand Master G. Santy Lascano and his full team of elected Grand Lodge officers: RWBros. Michael Sanders, Dean Heinemann, Jerry Lingle, and David Owen, along with many of the appointed officers and Deputies of the Grand Master. Warmly welcomed by our Master MWBro. Al Jorgensen, at least a hundred Masons and guests witnessed this ancient ceremony. The Grand Master, assisted by his team, poured corn, wine, and oil over the symbolic Lodge while delivering prayers of consecration. Our Grand Orator WBro. Neil Quinn delivered a historical message befitting the occasion, retelling the tale how our early brothers united to request the Grand Lodge of Washington Territory to charter a Lodge in the small town of Seattle, traveling on horseback for two days to the City of Olympia to deliver their request and be received by Grand Master James Biles at the 3rd annual communication of the territorial Grand Lodge. While refreshments were served to our guests following the ceremony, strolling minstrel Bro. Adam Creighton entertained on his guitar. Tales were shared as many of the guests either waited for the late afternoon festivities to arrive or hurried home to pick up their ladies for the second half of the day’s celebration.
That evening, guests began to arrive at the Columbia Tower, making their way first by elevator from the garage to the lobby, then transferring elevators to the 40th floor and transferring once again to the 75th floor to witness the fantastic view of the City and Puget Sound. Guests were greeted at each level by members of the Occidental DeMolay and Richmond Highlands Rainbow to help direct them to the appropriate elevator for their eager journey to the top.
Soft jazz filled the first hour while guest indulged themselves with tasty hors de oeuvres of chicken sage and bacon roulades, Rosemary shortbread, smoked salmon, artesian cheeses, completed by a giant ice martini glass filled to the top with iced jumbo shrimp and tangy cocktail sauce! At the sound of the dinner gong, guests ascended to the 76th floor for dinner, selecting roasted beef tenderloin, grilled salmon, or artichoke ravioli accompanied by a Julienne pear, apple and seasonal greens salad. Wines were served throughout the dinner. This elegantly prepared repast concluded with a double chocolate cake and ice cream dessert.
Following dinner, Ill. Bro. Tresner riveted the guests with entertaining tales of “suffering” long introductory processions at Oklahoma Eastern Star gatherings, his recent studies of St. John's history, and views about Freemasonry today and where it may possibly be heading tomorrow. He entitled his topic “First Things First,” making note that our principal speaker at our Centennial celebration fifty years ago, Past Grand Master, Washington Supreme Court Justice, and Past Master of St. John's MWBro. Matthew Hill also entitled his address “First Things First.” Bro. Tresner is a respected author, speaker, and scholar of Masonic studies.
The evening concluded with dancing and music provided by the excellent sounds of the Fairly Honest Jazz Band and vocalist. Each guest carried away a commemorative etched wine glass marking the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the first Masonic Lodge in Seattle.
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