By: Hunter Tallon

Teacher: Shelly McAninch

School: Saint Jo High School

Saint Jo, Texas

Montague County

Saint Jo Masonic Lodge

“Each man can make a difference”Dedicated to the Saint Jo Masonic Lodge #483

• Masons are members of the largest and

oldest fraternity in the world. • The mission of Freemasonry is

brotherhood, community involvement, and self-improvement through education, family values, moral standards, and charity.

• Freemasonry is another word for Mason. • Mason is another word for architect.

What is a Mason?

• Much of the work Masons do is community and charity-based.

• In the USA alone, Masons raise over $3 billion per year. These funds provide free hospitals, schools, retirement and youth homes for people in need.

• Masons also grant scholarships to graduating high school seniors each year.

What do Masons do?

The G stands for geometry. Geometry is important in architecture, and Masons relied on it in their work.

What do the Symbols Mean? The square and compass are the primary tools used by a Mason. Ancient Masons were historically known as architects who planned and constructed buildings, bridges, and other projects.

Compass

Square

History of Lodge #483

On December 14, 1878 Saint Jo Lodge #483 received its charter from the Grand Lodge of Texas. D.H. Craver (pictured here along with the charter) organized the Lodge and served as its first W.M. from 1878-1882.

Craver owned Craver and Philpot Drugstore and was Saint Jo’s first unofficial mayor.

Member Spotlight Clyde W. Yetter Jr., former Worshipful Master(W.M.) is the oldest active member of the Saint Jo Masonic Lodge. He is currently serving as treasurer at 92 years young.

The Saint Jo Masonic Lodge

The Saint Jo Masonic Lodge building is currently undergoing a renovation project. The lodge has convened at the current location on the square in Saint Jo since 1953. The lodge moved from its original location in 1953 due to a fire.

Saint Jo Masonic Fun Fact

Early members met each year on Saint John’s Day to elect officers. Upon adjournment of the meeting, members would retire to a local restaurant to eat oysters.

These ceremonial swords were owned by two former Worshipful Masters (W.M.) of the Saint Jo Lodge.

C.D. Meador, owner of Meador Bros. Dry Goods, was W.M. in the early 1920’s.

Smith Pedigo, a local druggist, was W.M. during the late 1920’s.

The swords are over 80 years old, and are a special part of the lodge’s history.

Local Artifacts

Lodge#483 in the Community •Awards a scholarship to a worthy senior

each year.

•Hosts annual barbecue dinner to raise

money for scholarships.

•Active in local charities, such as Meals on

Wheels.

•Sponsors annual fun shoot that raises

money to be used throughout the

community.

http://www.trowel.com/flamason/what.htm

Resources

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=masons&FORM=HDRSC2&adlt=strict#

http://www.masonry.com/images/masons.jpghttp://www.vagenweb.org/dinwiddie/misc/masonic-lodge.jpghttp://www.nj1stmasonicdistrict.com/h8.jpg

http://www.sanmateomasoniclodge.org/facts_about_masons.html

http://www.masonic-lodge-of-education.com/images/Symbols_Masonic_collage_240x359.jpg

http://gwmemorial.org/freemasonry.php http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0rfkAyCHdKc/

TFiRkqwVVFI/AAAAAAAAAdw/d86KuQ0dD0I/s400/Mason+Symbol.jpg

http://www.sanmateomasoniclodge.org/facts_about_masons.html

http://www.saintjochamber.com/history.htm

Resources