McAlister Lodge No. 185, A.F. & A.M.

                                                                Suffolk, Virginia

In the days long before good roads, automobiles, electric lights, telephones, modern living conditions, photography and moving pictures; when there were no means of travel other that by a horse drawn vehicle and very slow at that, over woods, roads and when this country was about to go to war between the states, which caused many homes to be torn asunder and the south to suffer the hardships and trials of life, there was a man in this section, who lived in Suffolk, and who was a very active Mason and all that the name implies.

He was man of sterling qualities, who kept fighting and working at his tasks until they were completed. He was not just a man who might have a dream of something today and let it vanish tomorrow. Whatever he started, he always saw it through. He was always ready to serve in any capacity and render any assistance for the welfare of mankind.

This Brother saw the need of a place where Masons could meet and hold Lodge without having to travel for two or three hours. Thus, he originated the thought of getting a charter for a Lodge located at Cypress Chapel. After getting a sufficient number to join in his efforts, a charter was granted by the Grand Lodge of Virginia on December 14, 1859, for a Lodge to be held at Cypress Chapel known as McAlister Lodge No. 185, in honor of Andrew McAlister. Brother McAlister not only sponsored and assisted in establishing this Lodge, but he also was instrumental in obtaining the charter of Chuckatuck Lodge No. 77 in 1850, and Harmony Lodge No. 149 in 1856. He was a Past Master of Suffolk Lodge No. 30, having served in 1837 and 1838.

To say that Brother McAlister was an ardent Mason, would be putting it mildly, as the records of the Grand Lodge show his name connected with nearly all the Lodges in what is now the 33^rd Masonic District. There are many notations in the minutes of this Lodge and Suffolk Lodge No. 30.

.

On March 29, 1872, Brother McAlister was laid to rest in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Suffolk, with Masonic rites. Thus closed the career of one whose qualities we should strive to emulate, and whose memory we should cherish.

At a communication of this Lodge held on December 7, 1859, a committee, composed of Brothers E. D. Riddick, W.B. Smith and Worshipful Richard E. Parker, was appointed to prepare suitable bylaws for this Lodge. The first Master Mason raised in this Lodge was Brother James Voight.

The Worshipful Master, Brother Andrew McAlister was made an honorary member on Friday, February 3, 1860.

On December 6, 1861, the Lodge was called from labor to refreshment and remained at ease due to the Civil War until October 8, 1864, when it again resumed labor. The Lodge met in the Temperance Hall at Cypress Chapel, Nansemond County, Virginia, until a called meeting on August 18, 1885. The purpose of this meeting was to consider a move to Whaleyville. The members present voted unanimously for such a move and the last meeting held at Cypress Chapel was on January 1, 1886. The last Master Mason raised in that facility was Brother Samson Rea.

The first meeting was held in the new Temple at Whaleyville on February 6, 1886. The Lodge purchased a half-acre plot of land on which to build a temple for $12.50. The first Master Mason raised in this Lodge was Brother Lloyd Savage.  Somerton Lodge No. 99 disbanded and joined with this Lodge in 1899. The Lodge met in this temple until a stated communication on June 1, 1948. A building committee was again appointed to investigate the enlargement of the present building or the feasibility of the construction of a new building. The committee reported on July 6, 1948, that a new building was desirous, and Brother H. L. Warren had made a verbal commitment to donate a building site. The last meeting in the old temple was on July 5, 1949, and the last Master Mason raised there was brother James C. Knight, Jr.

The first stated communication in the new temple at Whaleyville was held on August 2, 1949. Most Worshipful A. Douglas Smith, Jr., Grand Master of Masons in Virginia, dedicated a new Bible and made appropriate remarks. He presented the Lodge with a set of three matched gavels, properly engraved, as a gift from him. The first Master Mason to be raised in the new temple was Brother William Walter Simons who was raised on November 16, 1949, by a degree team from Washington Lafayette Lodge No 176.

Right Worshipful E. J. Norfleet served this Lodge as Worshipful Master for ten years; as secretary from December 12, 1844 until his death on June 8, 1955; and served as District Deputy Grand Master three times.

Into the hands of those yet to come we entrust the government of this Lodge and hope that the memory of those who have gone before will be cherished and that this Lodge will strive to serve mankind in the future as it has in the past.