Temple Lodge No. 9 A.F. & A.M.

                                                             Richmond, Virginia

In the early part of the year 1869, certain Brethren, believing the interests of the Craft would be advanced by the organization of a new Lodge in the city of Richmond, determined, after due deliberation, to make application for a dispensation empowering the proposed new Lodge to work.

A preliminary meeting was then called of those who proposed to participate in the movement. This meeting was held at the office of Brother J. A. Scarlett, with J. H. Capers as chairman and M. P. Handy as secretary. A petition for dispensation was presented and signed by R. E. Pegram, J. A. Scarlett, C. K. Yancey, J. H. Capers, George D. Thaxton, W. G. Harvey, W. W. Stover, E. B. Taylor, J. W. Gibson, R. E. Tyler, W. S. White, J. T. Johnson, O. L. Cottrell, W. W. Gosden, L. Harvey, N. E. Beall, Henry Bodeker, W. R. Teller, D. W. Bohonnon, Thomas R. Gary, Thomas Angel, J. A. Grigg, I. S. Tower, Valentine Brown, and M. P. Handy. Richmond Lodge No. 19 concurred with the petition. Most Worshipful William Terry, Grand Master of Masons in Virginia, granted the dispensation on May 20, 1869, naming the following officers:

R. E. Pegram                           Worshipful Master

J. A. Scarlett                           Senior Warden

C. K. Yancey                          Junior Warden

The first stated communication of Temple Lodge was held at St. Albans Hall on June 4, 1869. Three petitions for initiation were presented. The following officers were appointed:

W. W. Gosden                                    Treasurer

R. E. Tyler                               Secretary.

At the stated communication on July 2, 1869, the following officers were appointed:

D. W. Bohonnon                     Senior Deacon

J. W. Gibson                           Junior Deacon

The first candidates to be initiated in this Lodge were: C. E. Wingo, P. A. Franklin, and T. H. Kellogg.

The charter for Temple Lodge No. 9 was issued on December 15, 1869. At the stated communication on January 7, 1870, Most Worshipful Thomas F. Owens, Grand Master of Masons in Virginia was present for the installation of the above listed officers.

On January 24, 1872, D. W. Bohonnon presented the Lodge with a fragment of marble, taken by himself from the alleged site of “King Solomons Temple.” This relic, with a properly inscribed silver plate thereon, is carefully preserved under a glass cover and prominently displayed in the Lodge.

On October 2, 1872, Worshipful D. W. Bohonnon conducted a funeral for Brother T. H. Kellogg, Senior Warden. This was the first funeral in Temple Lodge.

Temple Lodge was the pioneer in the movement, which culminated in the first grand celebration of the anniversary of St. John the Baptist, which ushered in Masonic year 1892-93. On that occasion a splendid entertainment was given at the new temple, under the auspices of Temple Lodge No. 9, Richmond Lodge No. 10, Metropolitan Lodge No. 11, St. Johns Lodge No.36, Joppa Lodge No. 40, Dove Lodge No. 51, and Amity Lodge No. 76. Those present assembled in the Grand Lodge room and heard appropriate, instructive and eloquent addresses from Most Worshipful W. H. Pleasants, Grand Master of Masons in Virginia, Worshipful R. P. Williams of the Lodge of Strict Observance No. 207, and Most Worshipful B. R. Wellford, Past Grand Master. At the conclusion of these addresses a goodly sum was realized for the benefit of the “Masonic Home.” The Brethren then repaired to the banquet room where a season of delightful social intercourse was much enjoyed.

In reviewing the records of Temple Lodge one finds much that is interesting. Suffice it to say: The modest craft, launched June 4, 1869, has made a record worthy of emulation. Sailing over the sea of Time, she has kept steadily on her course for many years, ever ready to stretch forth the hand of charity to a worthy Brother, never deaf to the cry of the orphan or unmindful of the tears of the widow; and today, having bravely weathered every storm that has beat upon her, she proudly rides the flowing billows, and enduring monument to the everlasting principles on which our time-honored institution is founded. May we, who now man this goodly craft, maintain the proud record she has made, and see to it that no unworthy act of ours shall stain her fair escutcheon or dishonor the flag, which proudly flies from her masthead.