Glen Allen Lodge No. 131, A.F. & A.M.

                                                             Glen Allen, Virginia

With the support of Ashland Lodge No. 168, a group of Masons from the Glen Allen area petitioned for a dispensation to form a Masonic Lodge in Glen Allen, Virginia. This dispensation was granted on March 21, 1914.

The first meeting was held in the then Glen Allen High School on Old Washington Highway on March 24, 1914. The first officers were:

William H. Lawson                 Worshipful Master

William E. Broaddus              Senior Warden

Sidney S. Trevvett                  Junior Warden

During the first year under dispensation, ten new members were raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. The charter was granted on February 10, 1915.

Prior to 1922, Glen Allen Lodge No. 131 was a “Moon Lodge.” It met at Glen Allen in the County of Henrico on Friday on or before the full moon at 8:00 P. M. In 1922, the meeting night was changed to the second Friday at 8:00 P. M. This was changed again in 1979 to the second Tuesday at 7:30 P. M.

Meetings continued to be held at Glen Allen High School until the Lodge built its temple in 1922 at an approximate cost of $4,000.00. This was financed by each of the eighty-six members signing personal notes for $50.00. Glen Allen Lodge laid its own cornerstone in 1922, one-quarter mile west of the Glen Allen railroad crossing on Mountain Road and has been there to this day.

In 1922, the Order of the Eastern Star chapter was chartered and granted permission to meet in the Glen Allen temple. Beginning with the early years of development, the Lodge took an active part in local affairs. Some of the activities include the laying of the cornerstone of Biltmore Baptist Church on November 30, 1929; providing a meeting place for the Glen Allen Baptist church Sunday School in various years; sponsoring entertainment for the neighborhood; and a variety of other functions.

In 1959 this Lodge was moved from Masonic District No. 8 to Masonic District No. 15 C.

On March 3, 1964, the original building was expanded too approximately twice its original square footage at a cost of $32,967.00. While under construction, meetings were held at Ashland Lodge No. 168. On July 10, 1964, the first meeting was held in the newly enlarged, but as yet unfinished, building.

In 1978, a picnic pavilion was built behind the Lodge.