Longevity — Not by Accident

Molalla Lodge’s 100-Year Anniversary

A wonderful gathering was held at Molalla Lodge No. 178 on Saturday, July 8. Attendees were treated to an excellent dinner and an exquisite cake, catered by Clark Grange No. 261. An occasion of this importance was magnified by the presence of the Grand Master of Masons in Oregon, Most Worshipful Brother Craig A. Sipp, and his Grand Lodge officers. After dinner, Most Worshipful Grand Master Sipp opened his Grand Lodge in an Occasional Communication. He then made the necessary Ritual adjustments to allow visitors to join the 45 Master Masons already inside. M.W.B. Craig A. Sipp, assisted by R.W. Deputy Grand Master Timothy J. Best, R.W. Senior Grand Warden Marc L. Strong, and R.W. Junior Grand Warden Richard D. Varner then proceeded to perform the Corn, Wine, and Oil Ceremony in a room packed with onlookers. How did we get to this point? Why was it important to do this ceremony and most of all does it really matter if we celebrate these milestones?

Rewind history to a little over 100 years ago. Molalla Lodge was chartered on June 16, 1922. When this happened the seeds of faith, hope, and charity were planted in the rural town of Molalla, Ore. The founders of Molalla Lodge No. 178 could never have imagined the Lodge would someday be celebrating 100 years of existence. What they did know was that it was very important to have a Masonic presence in their community if it was to grow and thrive. They knew that the influence of Masonry on its members and consequently the community was something so important that a Lodge needed to be there. Hence establishing a Lodge was very much a leap of faith, not knowing if these beginnings would flourish or ultimately fail. Did they know that Masonry was of such value that men would gravitate to it? Would a new Lodge attract members? Only time and hard work would tell if they were right. The hope was that men would invest their time and money in a worthwhile endeavor, but for that to happen, you must have a visible presence in the town. That seems obvious enough, but establishing a Lodge is not an easy thing. Onlookers must see your efforts through activities and just as importantly your results. It is through their foresight, hard work, and efforts that Freemasonry has persisted in Molalla to the present day. I would also add that this could be said of all Lodges that are celebrating a centennial or larger milestone.

It is through their foresight, hard work, and efforts that Freemasonry has persisted in Molalla to the present day.

Which brings us to the present day. When we celebrate an event like this one, we visually demonstrate that we are the oldest Fraternity in the world for a reason. “Longevity is not by accident.” Masonry is the tie that binds, through positive values and precepts influencing members, something that other organizations can only try to imitate. When visiting the Lodge in Molalla, you will see pictures of Past Masters on the wall, like many other Lodges. Parks and streets in Molalla are named after several of these Past Masters. We pay homage to these founders and Brethren that have paved the Masonic path for us by having a day of remembrance, an anniversary of their accomplishments. This is why a 100-year celebration of Masonry is so significant. Milestones are not only important to Masons but for the community as a whole. It is a public celebration of a fraternity that has been long established, venerable, and productive. Will our Lodge and the Fraternity survive another 100 years? The answer is much the same as it was 100 years ago, only time and more hard work will tell, because “Longevity is not by accident.” For now we will continue celebrating the accomplishments of our predecessors, and our rich heritage of serving communities as men and Masons.

Submitted by M.W.B. Michael J. McGuyer, P.G.M.