Square Club Gives Gift to Masonic Eastern Star Home-East

A generous gift granted to the Masonic Homes of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania by the Southampton Square Club will provide a new building for resident activities, Square Club meetings, Lodge meetings, and meetings of Masonically-related organizations at the Masonic Eastern Star Home-East at Warminster.

The Southampton Square Club, an organization of Masons from Northern Philadelphia and Bucks and Montgomery counties, donated the gift toward erecting the new assembly building. Comprised of the principal and accumulated income from an estate left 35 years ago by Bro. John Frey of Newtown Lodge No. 427, the established fund is worth more than $500,000. The balance of the cost for the project will come from Masonic Lodges and Masonically-related organizations that decide to move to this convenient location. This also will provide excellent opportunities for the Masonic Home residents to participate in these activities right at their home.

During ceremonies on May 8 at the Masonic Eastern Star Home-East, Kevin Sives, 1st Vice President of the Square Club, read the last will and testament of the late Bro. Frey dated May 14, 1968. Marvin A. Cunningham, Sr., R.W. Grand Master, joined with Edward O. Weisser, R.W.P.G.M. and President of the Square Club, and Club Trustees in signing the agreement of acceptance. The funds were presented to the Grand Master.

Brother Frey, who was made a Mason on Sept. 10, 1924, had a unique personality, both as a businessman and community servant. "Jack," as he was best known, operated the Frey Machine Shop in Richboro and that's where he derived his income. At the same time, he was a dedicated community servant, volunteering as a police officer in Northampton Township. It is not known when he was elected the first constable, but there is record that he was appointed Chief of Police in 1922 and served for 42 years. As a voluntary service to the township, he donated his time and provided his own automobile complete with radio equipment, red light, siren, and uniforms. That made Northampton Township unique because Chief Frey drove a Lincoln Continental, which he updated every year. Being motioned to the side of the road by a police officer in a large Lincoln Continental certainly impressed strangers in the township. He retired in 1964.