MASONRY IN MARSHALL
The work presented here is actually a compilation of former Brothers of this lodge. The initial work was supplied by Brother Craig C. Miller in February of 1938. The article was missing some important dates in our history and Brother Sam Leggitt, being Worshipful Master that year, undertook examining the records of Grand Lodge and came up with the exact dates of the forming of our Lodge #20. Later, Brother Homer C. Fisher wrote a small paper which is the basis for this material. Although the Centennial was celebrated in 1955, Masonry has been in Marshall uninterrupted since 1848. This will be explained later in this story.
We know of only 4 places which could be called Masonic Halls or Temples in Marshall. The first was located on the 3rd floor of 108 W. State Street (Michigan Avenue) and used between 1868 and 1873. The second on the 3rd floor of 113 E. State Street (Michigan Avenue) and was used between 1873 and 1913. This Masonic Hall is still marked with a stone above the windows. The hall was built by the Masons over the existing 2nd floors of the 3 buildings below it. The 3rd building is a 4 story structure built at 111 E. Green Street and was built in 1913 at a cost of $22,400. This was in use from 1913 to 1987 when it was sold. For the next 2 years, the Masonic bodies met in the Albion Masonic Temple.
In late 1988 construction of the new building was started on property donated to the Marshall Masonic Temple Association by Brother Don Leggitt in memory of his father, Samuel H. Leggitt, Past Master of this lodge. This building cost approximately 4 times the amount paid for the building downtown. This building was dedicated on March 11, 1989 according to the ancient form and custom of the fraternity by the staff of the then Grand Master of the State of Michigan, Kenneth Bolton.
In 2005 St. Albans #20 celebrated our 150th anniversary and was rededicated at that time by then Grand Master Richard P. Ruhland.
St. Albans #20 continues to see growth in it’s membership with many young men discovering the benefits and knowledge that Freemasonry has to offer. We continue to strive to reach as many young men as possible to introduce them to the craft in hopes that they will decide to join the rest of the Brothers in the continued advancement of Freemasonry.
150 Year History
ST ALBANS MASONIC LODGE #20
150 years of Masonry in Marshall
1855 - 2005
St Albans Masonic Lodge #20 was chartered January 11th, 1855. The name St Alban comes from a saint of the Angelican Church, who became the first martyr of Britain. The first Masonic meeting place was located above the business at 108 W. Mich Ave. where they met until 1869 when they sold the facility to the Oddfellows Lodge. Masons then constructed a third floor above the buildings at 113, 115 East Michigan Ave. which they used until 1914 when they again sold to the Oddfellows Lodge. In 1913, the Lodge erected a large Masonic Temple at 107 East Green Street which served as a meeting place for several Masonic groups. The first meeting in the new Temple was held in May of 1914. Over the years, many Masonic affiliated bodies used the Temple including:
St Albans Lodge #20,
Marshall Commandery #17, Knights Templar,
Lafayette Chapter #4, Royal Arch Masons,
Hiram Council #14, R & S M
Eudora Chapter #385, Order of Eastern Star,
White Shrine of Jerusalem,
Rainbow for Girls
DeMolay for Boys
In 1987 a new Temple building was erected at 1320 South Kalamazoo Ave. which continues to serve today. Masonry bars no man because of his religion, provided that religion is in accord with divine precepts and civil law. Masonry, being based on the Bible, contains nothing which should be objectionable to those who accept the Bible as a chart of life.
Evolution of St Albans & Attendants
Marshall #20 - Chartered in 1848
St. Albans #20 - Chartered in 1855 (In place of Marshall #20)
Albion Murat #14 - Chartered in 1854 and later merged with St. Albans #20
Marshall #17 Knights Templar - Chartered in 1866
Lafayette Chapter #4 - Chartered 1850 (Unknown when it ceased)
Hiram Council #14 - Chartered in 2005 Companion Larry Hyde was the first "Thrice Illustrious Master"