[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 95 (Tuesday, June 25, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1167-E1168]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     100TH ANNIVERSARY OF LONG BEACH MASONIC LODGE NO. 327 F.&A.M.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. STEPHEN HORN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 25, 1996

  Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, for the past 100 years, members of the Long 
Beach Masonic Lodge No. 327 F.&A.M. have worked hard toward the 
betterment of the Long Beach area community, while actively promoting 
the highest principles of Masonry. Southern California is a better 
place for their efforts.
  History records that it was due to the untiring efforts of Charles E. 
Mitchell, master of Wilmington Lodge No. 198 in 1895, that Long Beach 
Lodge No. 327 had its birth. Masons living in Long Beach held 
memberships in Wilmington, Los Angeles, and other towns. But roads were 
poor and traveling was difficult so it was decided that the time was 
right to start a Masonic lodge in the city of Long Beach, population 
1,600.
  On April 21, 1896, 21 brethren who recognized each other as Master 
Masons' meet in a small building on the north side of Ocean Boulevard, 
between Pine and Pacific Avenues, for the purpose of applying to Grand 
Lodge for dispensation to establish a lodge of Free and Accepted Masons 
in Long Beach.
  Dispensation was granted on June 29, 1896, by Grand Master Edward M. 
Preston and Long Beach Lodge ``Under Dispensation'' held its first 
stated meeting on July 9, 1896. The meeting place was a lodge room on 
the top floor of a three story building known as castle hall on the 
northwest corner of Pine Avenue and Ocean Boulevard.
  On October 15, 1896, at the 47th communication of the Grand Lodge of 
California, a

[[Page E1168]]

charter was granted and the new lodge was constituted on November 12, 
1896, by Past Grand Master Henry Orme in ``The ceremony of constitution 
and dedicating the lodge in accordance with ancient usage.'' The 25 
charter members were:
  Charles Edward Mitchell, Russell Kincade, Thomas Stovall, William 
Schilling, Henry Clay Dillon, George Wesley Bond, John Fell Lightburn, 
Henry Clay Bailey, Robert Benton Vanderburg, Charles Fitz Abner 
Johnson, William Penn Haworth, Harry Bateham Marshall, John Wesley 
Hanselman, William Galer, Wesley Clay Bowers, Ephriam Roscrans, John 
Roberts, Henry Harrison, John Finlayson, Samuel Crawford Hummer, Joseph 
James Hart, Francis Joseph Pursey, Chester C. Clewett, William Jasper 
Morrison, and William Wallace Lowe.
  New officers installed on November 12, 1896, were:
  Master Charles E. Mitchell, Senior Warden Henry C. Dillion, Junior 
Warden Russel Kincade, Treasurer William Wallace Lowe, Secretary 
Wallace C. Bowers, Senior Deacon George C. Flint, Junior Deacon Charles 
H. Thornburg, Marshall Joseph J. Hart, Senior Steward George W. Bond, 
Junior Steward Chester C. Clewett, and Tiler William L. Briggs.
  The cornerstone laying ceremony of Long Beach Lodge's Masonic Temple 
was conducted on August 5, 1903, by Grand Master Orrin S. Henderson and 
his Grand Lodge officers at 234 Pine Avenue, Long Beach. The brethren 
of the lodge, headed by the Marine Bank and escorted by the Santa Ana 
Knights Templars, paraded from the lodge room to the site of the new 
temple. The Grand Lodge officers and visiting brethren from all around 
the country were later entertained and dined by Long Beach Lodge No. 
327.
  Fifty-four years, two world wars and a devastating earthquake were to 
pass before the ground-breaking for another new temple would take place 
on August 24, 1957. The first shovel-full of earth was turned at 3610 
Locust Avenue by John H. Ferguson, inspector of the 622 Masonic 
District and past master of Long Beach Lodge. On November 23, 1957, the 
cornerstone was laid with full Masonic Grand Lodge honors by Grand 
Master Leo E. Anderson.
  Today, Long Beach Lodge No. 327 F.&A.M. has over 600 members. The 
Officers for 1996 are as follows:
  Master John W. Gaddis IV, Senior Warden Richard L. Garrett, Junior 
Warden Gene M. Ferguson, Treasurer Truman W. Cleveland, Secretary Billy 
R. Wilkerson P.M., Chaplain Mark A. Shoemaker, Senior Deacon Jack E. 
Reynolds, Junior Deacon Larry R. LaCost, Jr., Marshall Charles D. 
LeReaux, Senior Steward Neil D. Staryk, Junior Steward Charles M. 
Higgins, Organist Leonard L. Black, and Tiler Howard C. Earnshaw.
  Members of Long Beach Lodge No. 327 F.&A.M. have faithfully served 
their country and community in all branches of the military and many 
members currently serve the community in fields such as police and 
other public services.
  Members of Long Beach Lodge No. 327 F.&A.M. look toward the future by 
supporting the local public schools. One month each year is devoted to 
actively visiting and discussing the needs of the next generation of 
citizens in the Long Beach public schools.
  Through their service to the Long Beach area community and their 
commitment to the principles and doctrines of Masonry, the members of 
the Long Beach Masonic Lodge No. 327 F.&A.M. have made immeasurable 
contributions. We are far richer for their work.