Historylodge

A Brief History of Wallkill Lodge #627

The Dispensation for Wallkill Lodge was granted October 10, 1866, by M:. W:. Robert D. Holmes, Grand Master,
and the first communication U.D. was held in the village of Montgomery on December 7, 1866.

The Officer U.D. Were:

Hugh B. Bull                        W:. Master
C. W. Wadsworth                  Sr. Warden
Robert Young                        Jr. Warden
C. W. Wadsworth                Treasurer
W. J. Welsh                         Secretary
Henry H. Hallett                     Sr. Deacon
H. H. McElhenny                   Jr. Deacon
                                     S. D. King                              Sr. M. of Ceremony
                                         Robert Brown Jr.                  Jr. M. of Ceremony
Samuel N. Sands                Tyler

At the next stated communication of Grand Lodge, Wallkill Lodge was granted its Charter bearing the date of June
24, 1867, and given the number 627. The Charter is signed by M:.W:. Stephen H. Johnson, Grand Master and is
attested under the Seal of the Grand Lodge by R:.W:. James M. Austin Grand Secretary.

The Lodge then voted that the next stated communication July 2, be held in that place, where rooms had been

On May 3, 1893, the Lodge removed to its present location.

At a special communication, called for the evening of February 18, 1925, the Trustees were empowered to
purchase the property now occupied by the Lodge.

In June of 1950, under W:. Brother J. Leigh Hallett the mortgage on the property was paid off with fitting ceremonies.

In 1914 we had the honor of having W:. Robert T. Hume appointed D.D.G. M. for the Orange-Rockland District.
In 1943 we were honored by having W:. Herbert C. McHugh appointed D.D.G.M. for the Orange-Rockland District.
In 1955 we were honored by having W:. J. Leigh Hallett appointed Grand Sword Bearer.
In 1960 we were honored by having W:. Richard W. Lockwood appointed D.D.G.M. for the Orange-Rockland District.
In 1979 we were honored by having W:. William T. Cocks
appointed D.D.G.M. for the Orange-Rockland District
In 1983 we were honored by having W:. Robert W. Kidd appointed Grand Director of Ceremonies.
In 2006 we were honored by having W:. David L. Blasch appointed Grand Director of Ceremonies.

This is seven times Wallkill Lodge has been honored with Grand Lodge appointments.

In 1996 V:.W:. Theodore H. Eisenhut Jr. was appointed A.G.L. for the Orange-Rockland District.

In 2006 V:.W:. John W. Cola was appointed A.G.L. for the Orange-Rockland District.

A Masonic Creed

Freemasonry teaches the universal principle of unselfish friendship and promotes those moral precepts which are in
keeping with all great faiths. In pursuing this doctrine, the following, though not exclusive, is considered to be basic:

Masonic Beliefs

Mankind was created by one God.

This one God is the author of all life.

God’s existence is revealed to man through faith and the Book of Holy Scriptures.

The Book of Holy Scriptures is the Ultimate Authority or Great Light of Freemasonry.

The soul of man is immortal.

Man’s commitment to Divine Providence determines his destiny.

Man’s reverence for God is best exemplified by his actions toward his fellow man.

Considering the universality of Freemasonry, its teachings cannot be defined in any single statement or established
profile. The following is considered to be representative of its fundamental precepts and constitutes basic:

Masonic Teachings

Man’s first duty is to love and revere God, implore His aid in all laudable undertakings, and seek His guidance
through prayer, embrace and practice the tenets of religion, extend charity and sympathy to all mankind, shield and
support the widow and orphan, defend virtue, respect the aged, honor the bonds of friendship, protect the helpless,
lift up the oppressed, comfort the downcast, restore dignity to the rejected, respect the laws of government, promote
morality, and add to the common stock of knowledge and understanding.
"E. Dean Osborn, PGM Grand Lodge of Kansas A.F. & A.M."

THE LEVEL AND THE SQUARE

We meet upon the Level and we part upon the Square.
What words of precious meaning, those words Masonic are!
Come, let us contemplate them! They are worthy of a thought;
In the very walls of Masonry the sentiment is wrought.

We meet upon the Level, though from every station come,
The rich man from his palace and the poor man from his home;
For the rich must leave his wealth and state outside the Mason's door, And the poor man finds his best respect
upon the Checkered Floor.

We act upon the Plumb - 'tis the orders of our Guide.
We walk upright in virtue's way and lean to neither side;
The All-Seeing Eye that reads our hearts doth bear us witness true That we still try to honor God and give each
man his due.

We part upon the Square, for the world must have its due;
We mingle with the multitude, a faithful band and true.
But the influence of our gatherings in memory is green,
And we long upon the Level to renew the happy scene.

There's a world where all are equal - we are hurrying toward it fast, We shall meet upon the Level there when the
gates of Death are past; We shall stand before the Orient, and our Master will be there To try the blocks we offer
with His own unerring Square.

We shall meet upon the Level there, but never thence depart.
There's a Mansion - 'tis all ready for each trusting, faithful heart.
There's a Mansion, and a welcome, and a multitude is there
Who have met upon the Level and been tried upon the Square.

Let us meet upon the Level, then while laboring patient here;
Let us meet and let us labor, though the labor be severe;
Already in the Western sky the signs bid us prepare
To gather up our Working Tools and part upon the Square.
Hands round, ye faithful Brotherhood, the bright fraternal Chain.
We part upon the Square below to meet in Heaven again!
What words of precious meaning, those words Masonic are --
We meet upon the Level and we part upon the square

"Brother Rob Morris Poet Laureate of Freemasonry"