History

For years the two great lodges of Philip Swigert # 218 and Middletown Lodge # 732 met and discussed the need for a merger of the two lodges. Unfortunately an agreement was never realized for consolidation. But in the year 2007 things were about to change.

In April of 2007 brothers from Philip Swigert Lodge # 218 visited Middletown Lodge # 732 brothers from both lodges agreed that a merger would be good for each lodge. At the end of April beginning of May 2007 the brothers from both lodges came together to discuss the issue of merging. Masters of both lodges appointed an exploratory committee to get all records together for the purpose of meeting with each lodge to see if a merger would be feasible. At the end July of 2007 both committees of each lodge met to discuss if the merger was a good fit. The members of both committees finding that merger would be good both committees were disbanded and one united committee was formed consisting of members of both committees: The united committee consisted of 12 brothers, seven of which were from Middletown and 5 of which were from Philip Swigert to ensure everything was even two members from Middletown agreed to have no vote so that the vote could be even with five voting members from Middletown and five voting members from Philip Swigert.

Don L. White PM #218, Co-Chairman

Allan L. Clark, PM #732, Co-Chairman

James W. Lawrence # 732, Secretary

Marvin E. Sparks, Master # 218

Richard S. Sedoris, Master # 732

M. Wayne Allen, PM # 218

Claude C. Powell, PM # 218

Dennis L. Allen, Sr, PM # 218

J. Phil Wells, PM # 732

John L. Sutherland, Jr. PM # 732

W. Ben Gray, PM # 732

Gary L. Hatfield, PM # 732

The united merger committee met once a week at Brother Ben Gray's workplace as a neutral location. For several weeks the committee met to hammer out all the details of the merger. Difficult topics such as the name, location, meeting times, budget, by-laws, slate of officers were discussed and decided on in the ensuing weeks. As each week passed each member of the committee was able to voice their concerns and suggestions for the new lodge and each of the twelve members felt more and more like brothers of one lodge. After many weeks of meetings the merger committee felt they had done all they could and felt the package they were ready to present to both lodges was the best they had to offer. Many sentiments were expressed at the last meeting of the merger committee and each brother agreed they had formed a new bond with each other and even if their respective lodges voted down the merger both brothers from Philip Swigert and Middletown Lodge knew they would be even closer than before. Notices were sent out to the craft of each lodge to come to the lodge and vote on the merger package. Middletown Lodge # 732 had a meeting before Philip Swigert # 218 it was up to Middletown to start the process and for Philip Swigert to end the process.

On Monday October 15, 2007 Co-Chairman Al Clark presented the merger package to the members of Middletown Lodge # 732. After much discussion and questions, the lodge put the question of merger with Philip Swigert # 218 to a vote. The brethren of Middletown Lodge # 732 voted with a huge majority to merge with Philip Swigert # 218. Brethren from Middletown notified brethren from Philip Swigert of the successful vote and it was now up to the Brethren of Philip Swigert Lodge.

On Saturday October 20, 2007 Co-Chairman Don White presented the merger package to the members of Philip Swigert # 218. After much discussion and questions, the lodge put the question of merger with Middletown # 732 to a vote. The brethren of Philip Swigert Lodge # 218 voted with a huge majority to merge with Middletown # 732. The Brethren of Middletown was notified and a letter was drafted and signed by both secretaries of each lodge and sent to the Grand Secretary to notify him and the Grand Master of the vote to Merge.

At the end of November 2007 a letter was received at both lodges from the Grand Master notifying the members to be at a called meeting of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky at Middletown Lodge on December 11, 2007 at 7:00 PM for the purpose of consolidation. On December 11, 2007 Most Worshipful Grand Master F. Keith Dreier and the entire Grand Line opened the meeting for the purpose of consolidation. After consolidation, the Grand Master installed the officers of the newly formed lodge and set the craft to work as Swigert Middletown Lodge # 218 F. & A. M.