King Solomons Lodge No. 194, A.F. & A.M.
Crozet, Virginia
Freemasonry proclaims its first Grand Master to have been King Solomon of Israel and naturally many Masonic Lodges throughout the world have been named in his honor. But perhaps none of these Lodges had a beginning at a more unlikely time or under more trying conditions that King Solomons Lodge No. 194. This Lodge was organized and launched at the very close of the War Between the States with the armies of both sides present at times within its jurisdiction.
The first recorded meeting was on September 1, 1864, at Hillsboro and was attended by ten Masons, some of whom were serving in the Army of the Confederacy. At this meeting the Brethren voted to petition the Grand Lodge of Virginia for a dispensation, which was granted on September 17, 1864. The Grand Lodge of Virginia granted the charter on December 12, 1864, but the officers were not installed until April 10, 1865, one day after General Lee surrendered at Appomattox. The minutes indicate that the Lodge convened at the hall of Widows Son Lodge No. 60, in Charlottesville, and was duly constituted and the Reverend Samuel R. Slack installed as Worshipful Master. Brother Slack was the only member of the Lodge present on that important occasion. Thus in spite of almost every adversity of which man can conceive, King Solomons Lodge No. 194 was born and one may marvel how in so much chaos. Certainly there was no lack of determination on the part of the founders.
Legend has it that in March 1865, when Union troops marched down the Rockfish Gap and Rivanna Turnpike one building in the Village of Yancey Mills was not molested. A Square and compasses had been hung on the door of that building and an officer upon seeing them posted two guards with orders that the building was not to be entered.
The building wearing the Masonic emblem served several public usages. Prior to the War Between the States it had been used as a schoolhouse. Around the community it was known as “Town Hall,” and “Temperance Hall” as it was the meeting place of an organization called “Sons of Temperance.” In 1869, after all the tenants had moved except the school on the lower level, the Lodge purchased the property for the sum of $132.92. It was paid for by placing $50.00 down, and with monthly payments of $10.00. This two-story frame building, with hewn pole floor joists, was the home of King Solomons Lodge for 102 years. The only significant changes were the addition of an entrance wing with stairs and a preparation room.
In about 1950, the Lodge began to feel that, despite the tugs of sentiment and marks of history, the building had become outdated and would not serve the needs of a growing community. But dreams of a new building were not widely held among the membership with a treasury of a few hundred dollars. In 1953, an effort was made to raise funds and to establish a building fund. On St. Johns Night, December 28, 1953, a committee was appointed with Right Worshipful W. L. Radford as Chairman, and a collection was taken which amounted to $91.00 to start the building fund. After fourteen years, at the end of 1967, the fund had grown to $3,145.72.
In the spring of 1968, the dreams of building a new building won a new convert in the person of Worshipful Linden Shroyer. His zeal won him an appointment as chairman of the Building Committee. With the funds on hand a building site was acquired. Brother Shroyers short stature did not prevent his long right arm from reaching the collar band of the tallest member as well as certain nonmasonic friends. With his enthusiasm, funds and pledges rolled in over a period of several months. The architect, builder, and master craftsman, Worshipful T. M. Haden, had prepared the building design and laid down the plans for construction. In April 1969, a building permit was obtained, followed soon after by the laying of the foundation. Construction of the building proceeded throughout the spring and summer of 1970, and the first communication was held on September 22, 1970. Because of construction timing and prevailing weather, a formal cornerstone ceremony by the Grand Lodge was not held. The Lodge held an informal ceremony, and selected and appropriate documents were placed in the cornerstone.
The Ceremony of Consecration was held on May 3, 1971, in the presence of 132 members and guests, and presided over by Most Worshipful Charles F. Shuler, Grand Master of Masons in Virginia. On September 10, 1973, a Dedication Ceremony was held, with Most Worshipful William C. Vaughan, Grand Master of Masons in Virginia, presiding.
The history of a Masonic Lodge is essentially a history of personalities, and King Solomons Lodge No. 194 has produced many sincere and dedicated Masons who have loved the fraternity and by conspicuous service left their marks on it. It is not practicable to list all the Brethren here, but there are indeed a few that tower above all the others.
Much is owed to Reverend Samuel R. Slack. He was the first Worshipful Master serving in 1864-65. He was born in Maryland, graduated from Virginia Seminary, and served as supply pastor at St. Pauls Episcopal Church in Ivy for a period of years up and until shortly before the outbreak of hostilities in 1861. Virtually cut off from his homeland during the war years, he remained in Albemarle County preaching wherever and whenever called upon and traveling about distributing religious pamphlets over several counties. He also served for a while as supply pastor for Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Greenwood, which was organized in the early 1860's. With the ending of the war, the Reverend Slack returned to Maryland, but some years later became the rector of a church in Boston, Massachusetts.
Right Worshipful William T. Rea was born on April 22, 1842. He was a planter by occupation, and having received an excellent education in private schools, devoted himself with assiduity to his chosen work. When the dark clouds of the War Between the States loomed on the horizon, it found Brother Rea ready to do all in his power in the defense of his native Virginia. He enlisted as a sergeant in Company K, Nineteenth Virginia Regiment, was a gallant soldier; was wounded at Manassas, Gettysburg, and Hatchers Run; and at the close of the war was sergeant-major of his regiment. When the war ended, he resumed his work and did all in his power to restore stability to the Commonwealth.
He was made a Mason in 1863 or 1864 in Old Guard Lodge No. 211, Picketts Division, a military Lodge working under a warrant from the Grand Lodge of Virginia. On returning home from the army, he became a member of King Solomons Lodge No. 194. He served as Worshipful Mater in 1867, 68, 71 - 78, 1881, and 1889, and at the time of his death was the secretary. He was known as the “King Solomon” of his Lodge. He was District Deputy Grand Master in 1897. His knowledge of the ritual was not only absolutely accurate, but intelligently so, and whilst he imparted the work he explained and elucidated it. He was appointed to the Committee on Work in 1894, and his ability and zeal raised him to the position of Grand Lecturer in 1903. He filled that office faithfully up to the day of his death in Charlottesville on April 1, 1910. He was laid to rest in Hillsboro, Albemarle County, the place of his birth, on April 2, 1910 by the Grand Lodge of Virginia.
Right Worshipful Robert Lee Page was born at his ancestral estate, Castle Brook Farm, at Batesville, Virginia on May 8, 1863, the son of Nicholas M. and Mary White Page. Doctor Page was an extensive landowner, and orchardist. He attended Richmond College and in1884 graduated from Bellevue Hospital, Medical College of New York City. After practicing medicine at Mechums River and Danville, he returned to Batesville in 1888 where he was a physician and surgeon for more than fifty years. He also served as physician at Miller School from 1918 until his death in 1940. He was President of the Albemarle Medical Society, and a member of the State and American Medical Associations. He was married to Miss Ann Elizabeth Rosser of Danville on January 30, 1895, and they had three children.
Dr. Page was made a Mason in1899, and from the very beginning he took a deep interest in Masonry. He was elected Worshipful Master in 1902, and served in that office until 1905. He was District Deputy Grand Master for Masonic District No. 18 in 1909. He became a great teacher of Masonry and served for many years as Division Lecturer. He died April 30, 1940, and was buried by his brethren at the Mount Ed Church Cemetery at Batesville. He was later moved to Mooreland Baptist Church Cemetery.
Right Worshipful T. Wesley Kent was born in Nelson County, Virginia the son of John Wesley and Willie Bridgewater Kent. Like Brother Page before him, he was a well-known orchardist and farmer. He served as Worshipful Master on King Solomons Lodge in 1946, he was District Deputy Grand Master for Masonic District No. 18 in 1957, and at the time of his death he was serving as District Instructor of Work. He was an honorary member of Lee Lodge No. 209 and Fleetwood Harmony Lodge No. 92. He was active in the Order of the Eastern Star, Amaranth, and active in Crozet Methodist Church.
His influence touched the lives of almost every Mason who received light in King Solomons Lodge during his Masonic life. His three sons all became Masons, and Kenneth served as Worshipful Master in 1950 and 1980. He died after a lengthy illness on August 13, 1975, and was laid to rest by his Masonic Brethren at Mooreland Baptist Church Cemetery.