Oriental-Martha's Vineyard Lodge A.F. & A.M.
"From 1791 there have been at least seven Masonic Lodges either proposed or erected on Martha's Vineyard. Our ancient records enable us to show with apparent conclusiveness that the first Scottish Rite body in Massachusetts was King Solomon Lodge of Perfection, existing in Holmes' Hole, on Martha's Vineyard, from 1791 to 1797."
—from "Martha's Vineyard Masonic Lodges" by Bro. Dwight W. Robb
In 1852, Joseph T. James came to live in Holmes Hole (now Vineyard Haven) where he labored for seven years to establish a Lodge. Martha's Vineyard Lodge was organized in Tisbury in 1859 and chartered in 1860. Between then and 1863, the seven founding members added another 61, retired their debt of $1000 for outfitting the Lodge room, and established a charitable fund of $1000—the equivalent of $24,000 in today's dollars. A number of members, including the owner and editor of the Vineyard Gazette, petitioned to form their own Lodge in Edgartown, and Oriental Lodge was chartered in 1866. Throughout the country and the world, Masonry has gone through many cycles of growth and retrenchment. During one of these, the two lodges sold their separate lodge buildings and began to share the present building in 1984. On January 29, 1994, they consolidated as Oriental-Martha's Vineyard Lodge. The Lodge room is named in honor of the late M.W. Donald Warren Vose, past Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts.
Residents from all six Island towns are among the 200 members of our Lodge. Martha's Vineyard has always been a diverse and welcoming community, and this is reflected in our Lodge membership. In the fine egalitarian spirit of Masonry we cover the social spectrum from laborers and workment to ministers, lawyers, and bank presidents. Because so much of our time has been taken up with making new Masons, we are focusing on setting Lodge time aside for educational and entertaining programs, and developing charitable programs in addition to the scholarship and the Masonic Angel Fund.
—from "Martha's Vineyard Masonic Lodges" by Bro. Dwight W. Robb
In 1852, Joseph T. James came to live in Holmes Hole (now Vineyard Haven) where he labored for seven years to establish a Lodge. Martha's Vineyard Lodge was organized in Tisbury in 1859 and chartered in 1860. Between then and 1863, the seven founding members added another 61, retired their debt of $1000 for outfitting the Lodge room, and established a charitable fund of $1000—the equivalent of $24,000 in today's dollars. A number of members, including the owner and editor of the Vineyard Gazette, petitioned to form their own Lodge in Edgartown, and Oriental Lodge was chartered in 1866. Throughout the country and the world, Masonry has gone through many cycles of growth and retrenchment. During one of these, the two lodges sold their separate lodge buildings and began to share the present building in 1984. On January 29, 1994, they consolidated as Oriental-Martha's Vineyard Lodge. The Lodge room is named in honor of the late M.W. Donald Warren Vose, past Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts.
Residents from all six Island towns are among the 200 members of our Lodge. Martha's Vineyard has always been a diverse and welcoming community, and this is reflected in our Lodge membership. In the fine egalitarian spirit of Masonry we cover the social spectrum from laborers and workment to ministers, lawyers, and bank presidents. Because so much of our time has been taken up with making new Masons, we are focusing on setting Lodge time aside for educational and entertaining programs, and developing charitable programs in addition to the scholarship and the Masonic Angel Fund.
Listing Details
Organization Code
ormv
Address
52 Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road, Oak Bluffs, MA, 2557, US
Telephone
508-221-5041
E-mail
District Number [C]
20
Year Established
1866
Contact Person at Lodge
Alan B Reekie
Meets
1st Wednesday at 52 Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road
Website