HISTORY OF PALESTINE-ROXBOROUGH LODGE No.135
FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS.

 In the first decade of the nineteenth century the Masonic Lodge nearest
 Roxborough was Hiram Lodge No. 81, which was established in 1800.  Its meeting
 place was close to the intersection of Germantown Avenue and School Lane. Hiram's
 records show that a number of young men from Roxborough entered this lodge within
 a short period of time during the years 1811 and 1812. These men were young in 
 years and in spirit, and perhaps were not so adverse as their elders to severing old 
 ties and connections to suit material conveniences.  Having in mind conditions as
 then existed, the desire of the local Brethren for a Lodge nearer home where they 
 might attend, and avoid what was a tedious journey over heavy roads.

 The records show that at a meeting of Hiram Lodge held on January 16, 1813, a
 number of members prayed the Lodge 'that they would wish to withdrawal and form a
 new Lodge and have their certificates granted.' The prayer of their petition was 
 granted and on February 13, 1813 a second petition was presented, signed by
 John Conrad and others, setting forth 'that they had associated together for the 
 purpose of establishing a new Lodge, under the name of Roxborough Lodge, 
 to be holden at the house of Aaron Levering, sign of General Washington, in 
 Roxborough township, Philadelphia County. These men petitioned the Right
 Worshipful Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania for a Warrant which was duly granted on 
 March 13,1813.

 The first meeting of Roxborough Lodge No. 135 was held on Saturday, April 3, 1813, in 
 the house of Aaron Levering kept by him as a hotel. This house still stands on the east
 side of Ridge Avenue at Gates Street and is the center piece of our Lodge notice to this
 day. The next known meeting place was on the west side of Ridge Avenue below Walnut 
 Lane on August 3, 1822. The last meeting held there, and in fact in Roxborough, was on
 October 29,1829.

 Thereafter the Lodge moved to Manayunk, to a house located on Main Street, known 
 then as the Manayunk Hotel. On September 29, 1847 the Lodge again moved the place
 of meeting to the Sons of Temperance Hall on Levering Street. While there work 
 was commenced upon our own hall on Main Street opposite Kempton's mill. Before the
 building was completed the Lodge was once again required to move - this time to the 
 Odd Fellows Hall on Baker Street. Finally on August 13, 1860 the cornerstone was 
 laid and on December 19, 1861 the new Masonic Hall on Main Street was dedicated.

 On February 9, 1870, 23 members tendered their resignations with intent to form a
 new Lodge. On April 7, 1870, Palestine Lodge No. 470 was constituted. There were 30 
 warrant members from four different Lodges, the majority from Roxborough Lodge.
 The first meeting place of Palestine Lodge was held at the Odd Fellows Hall, Falls
 of Schuylkill, April 21,1870.

 Meanwhile in Roxborough Lodge a committee was appointed in 1909 to take into
 consideration the feasibility and practicability of purchasing a plot of ground and 
 building a new Masonic Hall in Roxborough. In the spring of 1912, after exhaustive 
 investigation, the Lodge approved a plan and renovated the existing buildings third  
 floor into one room with necessary rooms adjoining.

 On December 12, 1912, Palestine Lodge completed the purchase of the Odd Fellows
 Hall where they met on September 11, 1913, the plans for alterations and 
 inprovements to the building were approved.

 Building Committees had been appointed in Roxborough Lodge on many occasions
 throughout the years with no creative action taken on their recommendations mostly  
 because of the ever present problems of financing. Motion after motion was made to
 move and numerous sites selected - and rejected. However, the dreams and desires
 were still prevalent. This is evidenced by the architectural plans made in 1946
 for improvement and beautification of the building on Main Street, and by 
 appointment of a Committee in 1961 to study the feasibility of building a new 
 Temple to serve Roxborough and five other nearby Lodges.

 Meanwhile the existing building was deteriorating and the cost of repairs mounted 
 alarmingly. Finally in 1968 it was decided to sell. Once again Roxborough Lodge
 pulled up stakes and moved to Palestine Hall where it remained until that building 
 was sold in 1973. On September 17, 1973, a stated meeting was held in the Masonic 
 Hall of Hiram Lodge No. 81, the Lodge from which our Brethren resigned in order to
 form Roxborough Lodge. In January 1974, Palestine Lodge also moved their meeting
 place to the same location.

 In 1968 it became apparent that Palestine Lodge and Roxborough Lodge would have
 to band together in the project of a new building without the support of other 
 Lodges. The Masonic Temple Association of Roxborough was formed and ground was 
 purchased. This was the first positive step toward a new building. However it soon 
 became apparent that sharply rising building costs and environmental
 considerations made the project unfeasible.

 Thereafter a number of Brethren of both Lodges searched diligently for a suitable 
 building that could be purchased and converted into a meeting place. Many buildings
 in Roxborough and surrounding areas were surveyed and rejected as unsuitable or too 
 costly. There were those who despaired of ever having a Lodge Hall of our own. But a
 few kept the dream alive.

 Finally a suitable building at the right price, was purchased in January 1979. Then
 came the two-fold effort of raising the necessary funds for remodeling and the
 actual work itself. Some of the Brethren have given so unstintingly of their time
 and effort as to deserve the most sincere thanks of all the members.

 On December 5, 1979, Grand Lodge approved the merger of the two Lodges into
 one, to be known as Palestine-Roxborough Lodge No. 135

 Donations for the work was received from members, widows of members, and others, 
 many in memory of departed Brethren. The result is the building and Lodge Room 
 which was dedicated on April 12,1980.

 On December 4, 1985 Quaker City Lodge No. 724 merged with Palestine-Roxborough 
 Lodge No.135 and is known as Palestine-Roxborough Lodge No. 135.

 Now that the Lodge is celebrating our 194th year, we can report that the Lodge is
 strong and vibrant, and looking into the future toward celebration of 200 years in 
 Freemasonry.