History Of  Dormont Lodge No 684

The history of Dormont Lodge No. 684 is replete in dedication, action and perfection of the work. Picture if you will, the nucleous that set out to organize a Masonic Club, learning that a place of meeting was essential to the warranting of a lodge.

With nothing but high hopes, these brethren struck out to raise funds, secure land and build a hall. There were dark clouds, but the sun did shine forth and they did build and there stands today, the four-storied building on West Liberty Ave., near Potomac Ave. It was not complete but used for the first meeting.

Then there was the fire that ravaged the building in December of 1938. Members promptly encumbered their homes that funds might be raised to restore the building and lodge rooms to their former ele­gance. It is debt free which is something to be proud of.

Later, under the guiding hands of George B. Turnbaugh and Ward L. Kline a plan was devised to finance the debt covered by the dedi­cated brethren. They organized the mortgage reduction fund, selling shares at $25.00. This was completely successful and lifted the encum­brances. More could be written about this undertaking.

Let it be noted that when this lodge was warranted, there were 258 warrant members. This is the largest number of warrant members ever recorded in the warranting of a new lodge in this state.

The grand master was present in July of 1925 when Hamilton Alder­dice was raised by Philip A. Doeblin. He remarked later it was the most perfect work he had ever seen. This is related merely to indicate the degree of perfection, officers of Dormont Lodge strove for.

At the past masters' night in 1961 the lodge decided to present aprons to all past masters. All living masters have received them.

In September of 1961, the first fellowship dinner was enjoyed--­members paying for their dinners. These are held in a local church dining hall at 6 P.M. preceding the first stated meeting in the fall.