Winchester Hiram Lodge No. 21, A.F. & A.M.
Winchester, Virginia
Although there is tangible evidence of the presence of Masons residing in the Winchester, Virginia, area for some years prior to the establishment of Winchesters first Masonic Lodge, organized Freemasonry did not appear in Winchester until October 1, 1768. That year, the Provincial Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania granted a warrant to a number of local Masons to form Winchester Lodge No 12, “Ancient York Masons.” Thus, Winchester Lodge became the first Masonic Lodge established west of the Blue Ridge Mountains, as well as the first Virginia Lodge to be designated by a number. Moreover, the creation of Winchester Lodge No. 12, Ancient York Masons occurred ten years prior to the formation of the Grand Lodge of Virginia.
During its nine years of existence, the Lodge enjoyed relative prosperity, listing twenty-one Brethren on its roster, and conducting meetings regularly in rented rooms, taverns, and in the homes of local Brethren. The outbreak of the American Revolution, however forced the Lodge to suspend its labors, and remain dark from 1777 to 1785. Even though the Lodge lost seventeen members during this period, including six who perished from wounds or disease while serving with the Continental Army, the four remaining Brethren persevered in revitalizing Freemasonry in Winchester.
After the War, Winchester remained affiliated with the Pennsylvania authority, due primarily to feelings of loyalty and arrearage owed to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. On December 16, 1807, however, Winchester Lodge finally voted to surrender its Pennsylvania warrant and accept a charter from the Grand Lodge of Virginia. Thereafter, Winchester Lodge was redesignated as Winchester Hiram Lodge No. 21.
Winchester Hiram Lodge No. 21 flourished until 1862, when the War Between the States began to spillover into the lower Shenandoah Valley. Winchester and its surrounding area was highly coveted by both the Federals and the Confederates, due to its strategic location and the large commercial and agricultural base, and quickly became the center of much military activity, including four major battles. Consequently, Winchester Hiram Lodge was forced to suspend much of its labors during the following two years, and was not allowed to reopen until November of 1864, after the Federal forces had secured the region against Rebel assaults.
After receiving permission from General Philip H. Sherman of the occupation forces, Winchester Hiram Lodge No. 21 resumed labor on November 28, 1864, and soon became a hotbed of Masonic activity. Over the next seven months, the Lodge enjoyed unprecedented prosperity and growth, conferring degrees on 231 petitioners, 207 of whom were Federal soldiers.
Among those members of the occupation army who received degrees at Winchester Hiram Lodge No.21 was Captain William McKinley, who was initiated on May 1, 1865, passed on May 2, 1865, and raised on May 3, 1865. Of course, Brother McKinley later became the 25th President of the United States, and, in 1899 returned to Winchester to pay a visit to his “Mother Lodge.” Although the Lodge was not opened and the secretary made no record of this auspicious occasion, it is known that Brother McKinley climbed the steps to the Lodge room and, during a public reception, stood beside the treasurers desk and shook hands with all who came to greet him. Tragically, President McKinley was assassinated just sixteen months after his Winchester visit.
Following the Civil War, the Lodge found itself in such a sound financial condition that it resolved to construct a Masonic temple. Accordingly, on May 29, 1867, the Lodge laid the cornerstone of the present Masonic temple and on July 22, 1868, the temple was dedicated. During this time, Mr. Ango of the Peabody Institute of Baltimore, Maryland painted the beautiful murals, which adorn the walls of the Lodge room, at a cost of $826.00. These murals have never been retouched.
In the years that have followed the end of the Civil War, Winchester Hiram Lodge has grown considerably, and has been the scene of many notable events, including the raising of United States Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr., who was made a “Mason-at-sight” on May 9, 1970, and the total renovation of the interior of the building between 1974 and 1976.
It should be noted that Winchester Hiram Lodge No. 21 has produced four Grand Masters of Masons in Virginia. Archibald Magill served as Grand Master from 1817 through 1819. Richard Parker was Grand Master from 1876 through 1877, and is perhaps best remembered as the judge who presided over the trial of John Brown in 1859. Frank T. McFaden served as Grand Master from 1930 through 1931 and C. Vernon Eddy served from 1937 to 1938. In addition, Edmund Pendleton Hunter, who served as Grand Master from 1852 through 1854, once was a member of Winchester Hiram Lodge, but demitted many years previous to his election.