PS History

History of Philip Swigert Lodge # 218

1851 to 1976 One Hundred Twenty-Five Years

William Driskill

First Master 1851

1851 to 1976 One Hundred Twenty-Five Years

Philip Swigert Lodge # 218, Free and Accepted Masons, Entered into a new era of growth with the 100th year milestone in August 1951. There were 150 brothers present for this celebration. After reading the history of the Lodge, inspiring speeches were made by the Grand Lodge Officers and other distinguished brothers present. The day of fraternal fellowship was complete after those present consumed 200 pounds of fried fish in the usual Philip Swigert tradition.

Many important events have occurred since this celebration. Ever mindful of the duties of Masonry we note some of the highlights.

The lecture was improved by new slides being purchased for the E. A. degree in 1951.

A patriotic address was given by Brother Davie Smith, P.G.M., in February 1967 to commemorate George Washington's birthday. The later purchase of a 50 star flag on January 19, 1974, reminds us of a Mason's duty to his country.

The "old time" atmosphere demonstrated that we still had a country Lodge when the entire Lodge proceedings were conducted by lantern and candlelight on July 21, 1973. The unique Fellowcraft degree on this night was necessitated by a community power failure due to a storm.

During the period of 1951 to 1976 the membership of Philip Swigert grew and prospered. Not only were many new members added but recognition was also given to those of long standing membership and service. Fifty-seven, twenty-five year pins have been presented to distinguished brothers: Thomas Henry Allen, Earl H. Bryant, W. Richard Bryant, Paul W. Carpenter, D. Thomas Collier, John M, Kaufman, Alfred R. Knapp, Guy W. Markwell, William Robinson McDonald, Carl J, Purcell, Guy Brown Roush, H. McGowin Smith, Charles T. Stout, Otis E. Sturgeon, Humprhey M. Thomas, and Dr. All H. Walker.

Verbal recognition and a gift was presented to Brother Frank Osborn for 26 years of faithful service as Lodge Secretary. Honorary Past Master degrees were conferred on Brothers Clarence Baskett and Archie Boston. Brother Fred Jackman (Of Middletown # 732) was made and honorary member of Philip Swigert Lodge for service to the degree team and the Lodge.

Membership has grown from 144 in 1962 to 222 on this our one hundred twenty0fifth anniversary.

Good men and their involvement in Masonic activities are the strength of any Lodge. Philip Swigert Lodge has been well blessed with dedicated brothers.

By providing for Divine Services at the Old Mason's Home in Shelbyville on one Sunday each February, the Philip Swigert Lodge is demonstrating to the world that corporate worship is a part of a Mason's life as well ad individual, personal dedication to the tenets of our profession. Love offerings for brothers in need for good cause were not uncommon.

The annual wood cutting for surviving sisters of a Lodge member has become a Fall Outing Periods by 1960. "Help, aid and assist" have never been hollow words for members of Philip Swigert Lodge. Annual donation to Kosair Crippled Children's Hospital. had become an unquestioned act of compassion by 1960. A commitment of 18 cents per member supported the Masonic Employment Association in their work.

Recreation activities flourished as a group of "would-be" bowlers took the Philip Swigert name to the Masonic Bowling League on July 21, 1962. A shuffleboard game in the dining-recreation hall brought high competitive spirits after each Lodge meeting closed.

Always aware of our duty to family, the Lodge progressed to a more family oriented institution.

A Family day was instituted in the Spring of 1967. On the night before Family Day dinner, an all night ham pit-barbecue is held with campfire tales and practical jokes and general good fellowship to be enjoyed by men and boys. For Family Day, old fashioned basket lunches are brought and shared as a group. A period of family recreation and fellowship is enjoyed by all.

An annual rabbit dinner was established January 24, 1970, and still continues as an annual winter social event. Members and their sons with guests from the Orphan's home attend the rabbit fry.

Items becoming a regular part of each meeting by 1973 included an active sick committee, which encouraged hospital visiting, cards and fraternal help. The involvement in the St. John's Day League picnic and the supporting work in our booth keeps us aware that our widows and orphans are an important part of Philip Swigert Lodge.

A period of facility remodeling followed the purchase of the Baptist Church's interest in the Lodge property on November 18, 1950. A dining hall area and kitchen with new gas stoves were provided on the first floor. The Lodge building was painted outside in June of 1954 at a cost of $475. New heating stoves and exhaust fans were added.

The Routt Homemakers Club was provided the dining hall are for its meetings. The Lodge was becoming not only a warm fraternity, but extending itself and its facilities in community involvement.

In 1952 the Royal Arch Chapter # 189 met in Philip Swigert Lodge Hall for a period and later move to Jeffersontown Lodge.

Another celebration took place at the December 27 meeting in 1952 when the final payment was made on the Lodge indebtedness. The note was burned in open lodge.

A new cistern was built, double sinks were installed and a restroom with hot and cold running water completed the "uptown" conveniences.

A contract was signed with the Fisherville Post Office on July 19, 1958, to occupy the first floor in the back of the building.

In 1964 a large neon sign, donated by Past Master Robert A. Brewer, was installed across the front of the lodge hall declaring to the world the Philip Swigert Lodge # 218, F. & A. M., was meeting on the third Saturday night of each month in Fisherville, Kentucky.

In November of 1969 the kitchen was relocated with one room for cooking and another room for preparing and servicing. A serving window was installed through the dining room wall.

As our organization grew in membership and strength so did our need for additional facilities. On November 15, 1969, a building fund was established by a deposit of $1,000 from the general lodge treasury.

On July, 1971, the Acasia Club was formed for the purpose of raising monies for the Building Fund. Lodge members may join the Acasia Club to participate in the planning of auctions, cake sales, Blue Lodge Open Golf Tournament, and other fund raising activities.

On August 7, 1971, a called meeting announced the offer of donation of property for a new Lodge building. On November 16, 1974, at a special called meeting, the Lodge authorized the Building Committee to hire an architect to draw plan for the new Lodge building. The Lodge voted, with a 72% majority, to build the new Lodge Hall on the property on Highway 148 (Finchville Rd.) in Fisherville, Kentucky.

Many gifts and labors were pledged. Once acre of ground on Highway 148 was donated by Archie and Ruby Boston in memory of our deceased brothers, Lazell Boston and Robert Durrett. As gifts and dedicated efforts continued, it became evident that the majority of the craft "agreed to wait no longer" and plans for building a new lodge hall began in earnest. Reflective signs were donated and posted on the proposed building site.

The intent to review and any all offers for the purchase of the old Lodge building and property was set for February 15, 1975. After negotiating with prospective Buyers, the Committee, consisting of the trustees (Alfred R. Knapp, M. Wayne Allen, Don L. White) and Archie Boston, C. Wayne Turner, and the current Masters (Charles R. Diehl and William Thomas Sexton), was authorized by a 70% majority to sell the old lodge building and contract to continue meeting on the second floor until the new Lodge Hall was completed. The deed was transferred on August 7, 1975, to Michael Borgmeier for the sum of $12,000.

Ground was broke for the new Lodge Hall on December 1, 1975, with construction started February 1, 1976. Total membership had grown to 220 in 1976. Work details on the donated property provided fellowship as well as a substantial savings toward the new Lodge building.

Many donation were made toward the new Lodge Hall including a gift on July 17, 1976, of a memorial cornerstone by Alfred and Blanche Knapp and Lois Knapp, in memory of their parents and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Knapp and Mr., and Mrs. James A. Grant. A gift of crushed stone was donated by Carl Head.

The first meeting was held in the new building on July 3, 1976. Many "speculative" Masons became "operative" Masons by applying their skills in the many needed areas. This reduced the costs and gave increased satisfaction by personal involvement.

The last brothers raised in the old Lodge Hall were: Willard R. Elder, James Louis Griffin, John W. Hargrove, James Edward Scott and Patrick Sizemore on April 17, 1976.

The first brothers to be raised in the new building were Calvin Sidney Johnson, Donald Lee Pettman and Otis B. Williams on July 17, 1976.

The new building was "erected to God and dedicated to the Holy Saints Johns of Jerusalem" on November 7, 1976. Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, John Moyers, officiated.

For Old Pictures from Philip Swigert Lodge, Click HERE