Doylestown Lodge

Doylestown Lodge

Since 1850

2022 Master’s Medal

The 2022 Masters Medal is comprised of King Solomon’s Temple, a central theme in Freemasonry and representing the origin and basis of design for future Masonic lodge gatherings.

In Freemasonry, the Temple of Solomon resembles a creation by the Grand Architect of the Universe rather than a work created by human hands and was dedicated as a peace offering to the Most-High to bring the people Israel together in solemn unity and worship.

The ribbon is light blue representing our Blue Lodge colors. The Hebrew slogan “Righteous and Worthy” (ויושר צדק) is emblazoned on the medal.

 

UNO Dough Rai$er

Uno Dough Raiser – 10/23 – please join us for our Uno Dough Raiser, which will be held at Uno Pizzeria & Grill in Warrington, PA, on Saturday, October 23rd, from 11am – 11pm, where up to 20% of each food bill will be donated back to the lodge. Both Dine-In and Take-out orders are acceptable, and there are also outdoor seating options (weather permitting). If able to attend, please bring/present the attached flyer to your server (or hostess for take-out). While Pizzeria Uno may be a chain today, founder Ike Sewell is largely credited with creating the original Chicago deep-dish style pizza at Pizzeria Uno in Chicago circa 1943. Therefore, please come out, enjoy a slice of history, and give back to the lodge all at once!
DoughRaiser 2021

Grand Lodge Update

Notice from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania: Due to the new regulations from the city of Philadelphia, admittance to The Masonic Temple in Philadelphia/ Library and Museum of Pennsylvania will require a vaccination card or a photo of the same for access to the building. Masks are not required for vaccinated individuals, but may be worn, if desired. Special events that occur outside of working hours may be fully masked or fully vaccinated events. Masonic Lodge meetings are fully vaccinated events.

Thank you for your compliance as we work to protect our tour and event guests, team members and Pennsylvania Freemasons.

6th Annual District Cigar-B-Que

The 6th Annual Cigar-B-Que is scheduled for Sunday, September 19, 2021, 4 pm-8pm. The location will again be the Lower Bucks Masonic Hall (Newtown Lodge), Woodside, PA.

This event is open to all Masons, family and friends.

Attendees MUST be over 21 years of age.

Tickets are still $65.00/pp for a minimum of three cigars from our friends at Hiram & Solomon Cigars, barbecue supplied by Billy-D’s Bar-B-Que, tastings, beer and soda.

Ticket forms are available on the District website or from your lodge secretary.

Deadline for tickets is September 12, 2021. For tickets or information, contact DDGM Rich Bradbury at [email protected]

 

 

In Memorial

Bro. Robert D. Fighera Jr., PM

The Lodge is mourning the loss of 64-year member Brother Robert D. Fighera, Jr., Past Master.

Bro. Fighera was entered to the degree of Entered Apprentice Mason on September 27th 1957; passed to degree of a Fellowcraft Mason on January 10th 1958; and raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason on Valentine’s Day, February 14th 1958.

A York Rite staple in Doylestown, Brother Fighera served as Worshipful Master of Doylestown Lodge #245 in 1987, Most Excellent High Priest of Doylestown Chapter #270 in 1989, Thrice Illustrious Master of Doylestown Cryptic Council #51 in 2002, Eminent Commander of Mizpah Commandery #96 in 1990, and having served as head of each appendant body, was duly elected as a Knight of the York Cross of Honor.

Bro. Fighera also served as a Knight Mason, a Shriner, a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, the Past Patron for Doylestown Eastern Star #327, and a Tall Cedar. He also served as Treasurer for many of the organizations as well as their appointed chairs. He was presented a 10-year service medal for his commitment as Doylestown Treasurer in 2016 as well as countless annual awards for his services to the lodge.

Most members of Doylestown Lodge fondly remember Bro. Fighera as their Guide, as he personally guided hundreds of new brothers over the years on their first steps into the Fraternity. For many, meeting Bro. Fighera was their very first memory when they entered the lodge for the first time.

Bob was a model brother, a good friend, a mentor, and will be missed by all. His memory will remain as the highest example of Fraternal Service that Doylestown Lodge has known in any length of memory.

Master Ad Vitam

The 20th Degree of the Scottish Rite teaches that Treason is a crime over which Freemasonry casts no mantle of charity. It also reinforces our core values of Devotion to Country and Integrity, which are first laid out in the ancient charges of the Entered Apprentice Degree:

“In the state, a Freemason is to behave a peaceful and dutiful citizen, conforming cheerfully to the government under which he lives.”

The 20th Degree, called “Master Ad Vitam,” is a drama of the American spirit confronting the challenge of disloyalty and treason. Masonic principles and leadership are subjected to a crucial test in the form of a Colonial Era lodge meeting in which Benedict Arnold seeks pardon for committing treasonous acts during the Revolutionary War. The degree demonstrates the Masonic condemnation of all who conspire against the security of the nation and the happiness of our people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Master’s Medal 2021

171 Years of Doylestown Lodge. Embossed in the center is a representation of the Acacia tree, which has long been held as a symbol of innocence and immortality. Here, the Acacia is strongly rooted in the traditional masonic checkerboard floor and is guided by the rays of change, represented as the equilateral triangle or delta. The latin phrase, “per sapientiam incrementum,” meaning “growth through wisdom” or more literally “growth of wisdom,” adorns this medal while the three colors of the ribbon are indicative of life, enlightenment, and the darkness of the unknown.

2021 Bro. Matheu C. Wilson, W.M.

January Stated Meeting – update

Due to the ongoing pandemic, all masonic meetings, events, and activities have been cancelled until January 31, 2021 by order of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. Therefore, our January stated meeting originally scheduled for Friday, January 8, 2021, has been cancelled. Our next stated meeting is still anticipated to be held on Friday, February 12, 2021, at 7:00 pm.

Congrats Bro. Kirk W. Borowski, P.M.

Bro. Kirk is moving on to bigger and better things! We wish him best of luck in his new role as Principal of the School of Instruction, effective immediately. Just a reminder that SOI meets the first Monday of every month at 7:30p at the Frey center in Warminster. During the pandemic, meetings will be held virtually. Contact the Secretary for a link if you wish to attend.

Aprons from the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum and Library

From “Rooted in Tradition,” an exhibition presented by the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum and Library:

 

Since Freemasonry’s early days in England, the apron has been a part of the group’s distinctive symbols and rituals. Aprons evoke the symbolic association of Freemasonry with working stonemasons, craftsmen who wore aprons to protect their clothing from wear and dust. Decorated aprons may have emerged as a way for non-working, or symbolic, Freemasons to distinguish themselves from working, also called operative, stonemasons and/or other artisans.

 

Visit the full exhibition online:

https://sites.google.com/view/rootedintradition/rooted-in-tradition

Lodge Update

On Friday, October 9th, we will also be hosting our first-stated meeting since the Coronavirus pandemic restrictions began. While we’re all very much looking forward to getting back into the lodge and returning to a sense of masonic normalcy, the safety of our members remains our top priority, and we are striving to conduct each meeting in the safest manner possible. To that effect, we have set up our lodge to ensure social distancing measures are observed and have protocol in place to ensure proper sanitization resources are available and utilized. Additionally, each meeting is limited to 25 attendees, with RSVPs required for those interested attending.

Read more“Lodge Update”

An Abridged History of Doylestown Lodge

Doylestown Lodge as we know it is actually the second Masonic Lodge in the borough of Doylestown. It was a descendant of Benevolent Lodge No. 168 which was constituted in 1829. That lodge met at “Temperance Hall” between Church and Broad for eight years, but for reasons unknown, the lodge failed and was vacated in 1837. Without Benevolent Lodge, the need for a local Masonic meeting place remained as the next closest lodge was in Bristol.

Thus on August 27th, 1850, Doylestown Lodge No. 245 was created, and the first meeting was held by its ten Charter Members on Monday, September 16, 1850 (the Monday preceding the full moon) at Temperance Hall. Before electricity, lodges would meet around a full moon as there was the most light available at night – and many members were traveling through darkness by carriage.

Read more“An Abridged History of Doylestown Lodge”

Cardinal Virtues – Fortitude

In Freemasonry, the cardinal virtue of Fortitude is defined as the noble and steady purpose of the mind whereby we are enabled to undergo any pain, peril or danger, when prudentially deemed expedient. The word is borrowed from Old French, from Latin fortitūdō (“bravery, strength”), from fortis (“brave, strong”). In the traditional sense, Fortitude embodies the quality of character which gives a person strength to withstand temptation and to bear their suffering in silence when all other remedies fail.

Read more“Cardinal Virtues – Fortitude”

Grand Master Whiskey

First there was Grand Dad, now there’s Grand Master. Please see attached form to order your own bottle of Grand Master whiskey. The proceeds go to charity… so win/win!

About the Master’s Medal 2020

170 Years of Doylestown Lodge. Embossed in the center is a flaming torch, figuratively representing energy, transformation, enlightenment, and problem-solving. Embossed on the handle is a triangle (or Delta) indicative of the manual carriage of light by humankind and the transformation it thus creates. The Latin phrase “Quaerimus Usque In Sempiternum” below the torch means “Forever Seeking” while the blue, white, and yellow striped ribbon represents the ongoing journey to enlightenment as illuminated by the Sun and Moon.

2020 Bro. Matheu C. Wilson, W.M.

UNO Dough Rai$er

Join us Thursday December 12th for an UNO Fundraiser at 611 and Almshouse location. Up to 20% of the proceeds will come back to the lodge to purchase holiday poinsettia plants for our widows (which members will deliver in person in December).  If you cannot go, we ask that you please pass the ticket onto someone who can – anyone can submit the enclosed ticket with their meal. UNO is open from 11am until 9pm, and both dine-in and take-out orders count towards our total. Thank you for your support.

It Belongs in a Museum

Brother Hunnicutt came across a rare find – a trowel set from the lodge’s own 75th anniversary back in 1925. He was able to rescue the set and it is on its way home.

Trowel

The lodge was constituted back in 1850, although the current building wasn’t in use until 1859. The next anniversary (175th) will be in 2025 where the anniversary set will include 10 years of master medals.