The HISTORY OF LESSING PASSAIC LODGE #67

The first attempt to establish a Masonic Lodge in the city of Passaic, took place on the evening of January 21st, 1861, at 8:00 pm. Masons from the area met at the house of Alfred Speer, to discuss the possibility of forming a Masonic Lodge in the city of Passaic.

the Alfred Speer house was located along what is now Main Avenue and along the banks of the Passaic River. This was the house that General and Brother George Washington would sleep in when his troops were stationed along the banks of the Passaic River, therefore this house was linked to the Revolutionary struggle.

They decided that they would form a Masonic lodge named Mystic Tie. Because of the Civil Rebellion, this petition did not receive sufficient signatures and therefore the endeavor failed and was set aside until a more favorable time.

Time went by and the idea of a Masonic Lodge in the city of Passaic was still alive. Reverend Marshall B. Smith was called to chair the meeting, & Robert Blake unanimously resolved that a Masonic Lodge be formed in the City of Passaic. This new lodge was to be called Passaic Lodge.

The masons that were present this evening elected Marshall B. Smith to serve as their first Worshipful Master.

On April 5th, 1864 the brethren met once again with Marshall B. Smith presiding. A committee reported that Speer's Hall would be available to hold lodge meetings in, this was the same house that the brethren had used during the original planning meetings of the lodge.

The brethren met again on Tuesday, April 12th, 1864, at the house of Marshall B. Smith. The officers of the lodge did an opening and a closing of the lodge as a practice and then conducted business. The officers were then notified that clothing and furniture has been purchased and also that the Lodge had participated in a District lodge instructional meeting. they also performed ceremonies for Joppa Lodge #29 in Paterson, New Jersey. Joppa Lodge was satisfied with the work of Passaic Lodge and gave a favorable recommendation to the NJ Grand Lodge.

The warrant (or charter) was granted the 18th day of January at the annual communication of the NJ Grand Lodge in Trenton, but the presentation took place in passaic the evening of February 7, 1865.

On March 28, 1865 Pioneer Lodge of Hackensack, NJ performed the constitution ceremony as required, in the formation of a new lodge.

Robert Blake moved that Passaic Lode #67 approve the dispensation and recommend that the Lodge from Hackensack be approved. On the evening of April 25, 1865, our secretary at the time recorded that there was no meeting of Passaic Lodge because the Brethren were invited to join the Funeral procession of the late President Abraham Lincoln.

on May 8, 1877, the lodge meeting was held in the Pythians Hall at MccLean and Passaic Streets. The Worshipful Master d. Demarest informed the Lodge of the destruction of the Lodge Room at Speers Hall by fire along with all the jewels, clothing, and furniture as well. On October 28, 1881, the officers of Rutherford Lodge, took the chairs and exemplified the work before this lodge with the out come being that Passaic Lodge #67 does hereby endorse Rutherford lodge. A motion was made on January 12, 1886, that a proposition was received from Ed Kip to rent a lodge room in his new building, the Music Hall Building, for a term of 5 years at a rental of $200.00 per year. On July 8, 1890, the lodge moved once again to the Willet Building. The lodge not satisfied with their present quarters, it was resolved that the Wor. Bro. Church Secretary make the application to the Most Worshipful Grand Master to move the lodge to the Lodge room, anti-room, and banquet room of the Passaic Masonic Temple (near Eire Street between Aycrigg Street and the Boulevard), in the city of Passaic. Work was already underway on the building. January 1, 1890, the conditions of the lease were presented to the lodge from the Masonic Assn. Of Passaic. The first meeting of Passaic Lodge #67 in the new temple was held on January 11, 1910, the 931st communication of Passaic Lodge was held in the Passaic Masonic Temple, with Worshipful Master John Payne Lowe presiding. The high character and ability of the first Worshipful Master, Marshall B. Smith was early recognized for, in 1876 he was elected Grand Master and held that office for three years. There were also two others who were elevated to the position of Grand Master, Andrew Foulds Jr. who was Master of Passaic Lodge in 1912 and was elected Grand Master in 1924, and Robert H. Davidson who was Master of Passaic Lodge in 1932 and elected to serve as Grand Master in 1941.

Lessing Lodge #189 was Constituted on April 23, 1908 and derived its name form Gotthaold Ephraim Lessing, a respected writer and philosopher who was born in Germany in 1729. He was a Freemason and a member of a lodge in Germany. He wrote many books about Freemasonry. This was the first only German speaking Masonic Lodge and for eleven years the brethren of Lessing Lodge performed their ritual in German, In 1919 the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of New Jersey decreed that all lodges of this Grand Jurisdiction must do their work in English. Passaic Lodge contributed to Masonry in the Passaic area for the past 125 years and played an important part in our Grand Jurisdiction. There were 1655 members raised in Passaic Lodge until 1989 when on the 13th day of April, Passaic Lodge #67 and Lessing Lodge #189 consolidated and formed Lessing Passaic Lodge #67. The combined lodges Passaic and Lessing will continue to add to the history that our forefathers have already laid down, and continue to promote Masonry in the city of Passaic. Many great things occurred in and around Passaic county in the last 125 years. Yes, Passaic Lodge should be proud of its part in the happenings. Some of the important highlights: We wee just starting in 1865, the civil was nearing its end. Many of our young men were returning form the war. Some of these men had shown an interest in becoming masons before the left. These men were cared for by masons in Passaic. Passaic Lodge was ready and will always be ready to help, aid and assist anyone who request our help. In the latter part of the 1890's, there was the great fire in Paterson, destroying a good portion of the city. Our Brethren opened their homes and invited these families to take shelter with them until they could reestablish themselves. In the year 1912, life became very bleak. Germany was at war with our European friends. The masons were forced to go underground. In this country our German Lodges did ritual in their native tongue. By order of Grand Lodge, the English language was to be used only. The great depression of 1929 to 1933 caused havoc with many of our brothers. Passaic lodge was there. Our more fortunate Brothers, through our lodge, gave food baskets, coal was delivered and other necessities were provided. Employment was given to those who needed it. Maybe some of you can remember the officers of the great company that were attached to our lodge. Gerura Mills, Botany Mills, Fostmun, Federal Sweets, Passaic Bleachery, Pan O Sote, Oakemite, Passaic Piece Dye Work, U.S. Rubber, Manhattan Rubber, Vandervilet Coal & Ice. The Passaic Brethren were always involved with the city of Passaic. One of the first mayors of Passaic was Dr. Aycrigg. More recently Rober Hare was mayor. In 1932, Brother Franklin Roosevelt was elected President of the United States of America, all hope was raised at starting a new economy. Once again we were called to fight in the Second World War. Masonry had to go underground once more, but the ray of light shown in the beautiful Forget me not, indicating masonry was still alive. Passaic Lodge now known as Lessing Passaic Lodge will continue to be on all for service. We are ready and able to assist those who need us. We still support the Salvation Army, Passaic Boys Club, Passaic Girls Club, Passaic General Hospital, Beth Israel Hospital, DeMolay, and Rainbow Girls. Our membership consists of Doctors, Lawyers, Firemen, Policemen, Bankers, Accountants, Truck Drivers, Insurance Agents, (real) Bricklayers, Carpenters, and Laborers. Our beautiful temple was built in the 1840, it was the home of Dr. Aycrigg. Five masons polled their money and bought this building in 1909. To be known as the Passaic Masonic Temple. Every mason in the City of Passaic was invited to become a member of the temple for $5.00 a year. Passaic Lodge in 1910 started to meet at the temple. Many other organizations joined the temple family - Royal Arch Masons, Knight Templars, Equity Lodge known as Humbolt Ezra, Lessing Lodge now known as Lessing Passaic Lodge, Benevolent Orange now Clifton Lodge. The temple also housed the Masonic relief which helped in the care of our needy brothers (Employment, Housing, Etc.) Its last supervisor was W.B. Smauel Graeg who died in 1967. The women organization joined the Masonic temple family which included Stella Chapter, Golden Rod now Stella Chapter, Amaranth now meeting in Rutherford, the Order of the Golden Lind now meeting in Union City, Our doors have been opened for may years and with the grace of the almighty Father, we'll continue to be opened to all who will come in.

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