McKINNEY MASONIC LODGE
Daily Courier Gazette Centennial Edition October 11, 1946
HISTORY OF ST. JOHN'S LODGE IS
GIVEN
by Bill Proctor
On January 24, 1850,
St. Johns Lodge No. 51, received its charter, from the grand lodge of Texas,
authorizing it to organize and set up into working order, a Masonic lodge to be
known as St. John's No. 51, with the following charter members: Harrison G.
Hendricks, Langdon C. Searcy, E. T. Berry, Leonard Searcy, Samuel Bogart, Joseph
M. Bounds, G. A. Foote, William Fitzhugh.
The first Masonic
Lodge in McKinney was located over a School house on the block of land now owned
by Mrs. F. B. Pope and the Baptist Church on the corner of Church, Louisiana and
Virginia streets.
The Masons of Collin
County are especially proud of their heritage and of the part its members have
had in making this a great state, a great county, and the best little town in
Texas.
We are especially
proud to be numbered with men like Collin McKinney, a signer of the Declaration
of Independence for Texas. And for whom Collin County and McKinney received its
name.
Collin McKinney was
a member of Mantua Lodge No. 209, located about one and one-half miles Southwest
of Van Alstyne, Texas. He was treasurer of that lodge from June 22nd, 1858 to
1891 (sic), the time of his death.
In 1940 by
permission of the late Tom. W. Perkins, then mayor of McKinney, we were
permitted to take from the home of Collin McKinney, now located in the city park
of McKinney, enough timber from one of the rafters of the old home to make three
gavels. One of these gavels was given to the Grand Lodge of Texas, to be placed
in its museum of antiques, one was given to their Grand Master W. Leo Hart of
Gilmer, Texas, when he layed the corner stone to our City Hospital. And one was
given to the late Tom W. Perkins.
St. Johns Lodge is
proud to boast of its early members, who were the builders of McKinney. Among
them was its first Master Harrison G. Hendricks. And the following who have
served as Master of St. Johns lodge:
Dr. G. A. Foote, 1885, an outstanding doctor
of his time.
Judge Thos C. Goodner, 1872, a well known
beloved active Mason.
Wm. P. Cloyd, 1875, a Presbyterian minister,
an active Mason.
John W. Hamilton, 1882, an outstanding
contractor in those days.
Dr. T. W. Wylie, 1888, one of the oldest
surgeons of Collin County.
S. J. B. Plemmons, 1890, owner and operator of
the first stage coach line in Collin County.
W. M. Abernathy, 1896, one of the best known
lawyers of North Texas and fire chief for many years.
Howell E. Smith, 1900, a well known banker and
active Mason; helped organize McKinney Commandery No. 34, Knights Templar.
W. R. Abernathy, 1902, and outstanding lawyer
and active Mason.
Hamp S. Wysong, 1906, outstanding banker and
financier; helped organize Melissa Lodge and is the oldest living past Master of
St. Johns Lodge No. 51.
J. H. Hill, 1911, an active Mason. J. H. Hill
School was name for him.
Chester May, 1922-23, well known in McKinney;
at present vice president of Lone Star Gas Company, Dallas, Texas.
G. C. Ford, 1927, was a Methodist minister;
never missed a meeting as long as he was able to go.
These are just a few of the past Masters.
There are many others too numerous to mention.
Governor Throckmorton was a member of St.
Johns Lodge and his statue now stands on the Court House lawn.
Through the efforts
of St. Johns Lodge No. 51, many crippled children have been sent to the Scottish
Rite Hospital in Dallas, where they received treatment that could not be had any
other place.
We are proud of the
three cornerstones laid in McKinney by the Grand Lodge of Texas, namely; The
Collin County Courthouse, the Christian Church and the City Hospital. St. Johns
lodge has a membership of 350, with C. J. Young, its present Master. We
congratulate McKinney on her Centennial Celebration. And wish for her and her
people another 100 years of peace, happiness, friendship and prosperity. That
can only be attained through Christian living and brotherly love.
St. Johns Lodge No. 51
McKinney, Texas.
Lodges Index
- Recommended
citation:
-
"St. John's Lodge No. 51 - McKinney
- Collin County Lodges and Clubs," Collin County, Texas History and
Genealogy Webpage by Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries, Inc., <http://www.geocities/genfriendsghl>
[Accessed Fri February 13 13:37:28 US/Central 2004 ].
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