Henrico Union Lodge No. 130, A.F. & A.M.

                                                             Richmond, Virginia

A dispensation was issued for Henrico Union Lodge on May 31, 1855, appointing the following officers:

Francis J. Boggs                      Worshipful Master

Charles J. Stinton                    Senior Warden

Benjamin T. Chalk                  Junior Warden

The Lodge met on June 11, 1855 in Springfield Hall, at 26^th and M Streets. The Worshipful Master appointed the following officers:

J. L. McDonough                    Treasurer, pro tempore

James E. Riddick                    Secretary

Charles T. Patterson                Senior Deacon, pro tempore

Andrew B. Eaton                    Junior Deacon, pro tempore

Emanuel Seamon                    Tiler, pro tempore

The stated meetings were to be held on the Friday evening before the full moon each month and on the festivals of St. John the Baptist, and St. John the Evangelist.

No member could vote or hold office if he was in arrears in the amount of six dollars. He could not be an officer if he held office in any other subordinate Lodge, (the steward, tiler and chaplain excepted). A Brother in good standing and of regular habits could visit this Lodge once free of expense, but on the second visit he is to pay the treasurer fifty cents unless he is invited by a member.

On August 20, 1866, the bylaws were changed and meetings were to take place on the first Monday in each month and the festivals of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist.

B. T. Chalk procured furniture and clothing for the Lodge at a cost of $26.50. On October 19, 1855, a committee consisting of Brother R. W. Rosier and Worshipful Brother James Evans presented a Bible in the name of Loge Francaise.

On December 12, 1855, a charter was issued for Henrico Union Lodge No. 130 with the following officers:

Francis J. Boggs                      Worshipful Master

C. J. Sinton                             Senior Warden

B. T. Chalk                              Junior Warden

At a called meeting on February 22, 1856, the following officers were elected:

J. L. McDonough                    Treasurer

Vernon A. Bowis                    Secretary

Alfred S. Lee                          Senior Deacon

Robert W. Larke                     Junior Deacon

Thomas Angel                         Tiler

A lot was purchased on September 12, 1856, on Twenty-fifth Street between M and N Streets at a cost of $457.28, and was paid for in three years. On June 19, 1857, bids were opened for construction of a new Lodge building. The bid of G. W. Barker, in the amount of $4,985.00 was accepted. On April 23, 1858, fees were: for Entered Apprentice, $15.00, Fellowcraft, $8.00, and Master Mason, $8.00.

On March 9, 1860, the Grand Master of Masons in Virginia, Most Worshipful John Robin McDaniel, granted a dispensation allowing the Lodge to Initiate, Pass and Raise John D. Crump, an Officer of the United States Navy, who could not wait the usual time.

Twenty-six members of this Lodge served in the Confederate Military. The lower part of the Lodge was used as a hospital by the confederate government beginning on June 17, 1861.On Friday, December 13, 1861, a funeral service for J. C. Mattox of Texas was held in the Royal Arch Chapter Room and he was carried to Hollywood Cemetery in the Masonic Section.

This Lodge took part in the establishment of a Masonic Academy, which opened on January 9, 1867, and was used until 1871 when public schools were started. This Lodge also subscribed $1,640.00 in 1873 to be sent to Memphis, Tennessee and Shreveport, Louisiana to be used by Yellow Fever sufferers.

On April 6, 1874, a committee was formed to see about establishing an orphans home for children of deceased Master Masons. This did not materialize until Brother Alexander G. Babcock made the contribution of his home, farm and $5,000 to the Grand Lodge for the establishment of the Masonic Home of Virginia on January 7, 1890

The Lodge sold its building on June 23, 1924, and bought lots on the southwest corner of Leigh Street and 25^th Street, at a cost of $8,000.00. Ground breaking took place on Wednesday, January 19, 1927, and the contract for construction was awarded to John W. Fox and Sons for $54,722.00. This building was sold to Richmond Association of Masonic Lodges, Prince Hall, on June 12, 1963. The facilities of Northside Lodge No. 292 were used after this until the Lodge moved into the Masonic building at Adams and Broad Streets. The Lodge moved to the Richmond Scottish Rite Temple when it was completed.