Menu provided by Ingallina’s Box Lunch [cost $20, candidates are free]: Assorted Box sandwich lunches. Served with chips, water or soda, and a delicious homemade cookie. Vegetarian options are available.
Any payment by non-members will be considered a non-refundable unrestricted donation.
There are a number of hotels in our area for those staying overnight.
Right next door to us is the Hotel de Lux, please note we do not currently have a discounted rate for their accommodations without prepaying for a block of rooms.
For this prestigious event the attire for Members and Candidates is Business Formal, for Cast Members and Stage Crew it is Business Casual. Business formal includes a dark pants suit, dark suit and tie, a black suit with a light button-down shirt. Examples of business casual clothing include slacks, khakis, trousers, collared shirts, button-down shirts, sport coats, blazers and sweaters. Yes, a kilt suit can be formal attire, especially for Scottish Rite events and celebrations.
Portland Valley Spring Reunion and New Member Initiation Ceremonies. April 18th & 19th, 2025
Click the image bellow or scan the QR-code to Petition for the Portland Valley
All Petitions are due, paid in full, by no later than 4pm on Tuesday March 18th at the Stated Meeting.
Any local Valleys wishing to have courtesy conferral for candidates will need to contact the Portland Valley ASAP. You will need to provide us with the full name of the petitioner, their email address, any degrees they have had prior, and any meal preferences they have for a meat or vegetarian meals. Please note, due to higher costs the Portland Valley will not be able to furnish courtesy candidates with copies of Bridge to Light or Morals and Dogma.
Meals available only to members.
Friday Fraternal dinner at 6pm, Menu provided by Elephants Catering [cost $30-35, candidates are free]:
Portland Valley Fall Reunion and New Member Initiation Ceremonies. Oct. 25th & 26th, 2024
Dinner on Friday night of the Reunion at 6pm, available only to members.
Menu:
Buttermilk Fried Chicken – Fried chicken breasts coated with seasoned bread crumbs, and served with our roasted garlic ranch. Served cold
Pinot Noir Glazed Roasted Chicken – Boneless chicken thighs in our Pinot Noir Sauce made with shallots, balsamic vinegar, cherry jam, and ginger. Served hot
Vegetarian Lasagna Marinara / Large Layers of lasagna with ricotta filling, spinach, and our béchamel sauce.
Roasted Cauliflower with Golden Raisins – Cauliflower, cumin, cayenne pepper, garlic, olive oil, yellow raisins, parsley, salt & pepper
Oven Roasted Herbed Potatoes – Roasted Yukon gold potatoes tossed with olive oil, basil, and seasonings
Garlic Rice – Jasmine rice seasoned with garlic and onion
Any payment by non-members will be considered a non-refundable unrestricted donation.
By virtue of the generous support of our Speech Charity’s Doners the Oregon Scottish Rite Speech & Language Charity was able to provide a grant of $120,000 to the University of Oregon College of Education HEDCO Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic and in thanks we received the following letters of gratitude from UO College representatives.
On behalf of the UO College of Education HEDCO Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, we are incredibly grateful to the OR Scottish Rite Speech & Language Charity for the recent $120,000 award which is currently supporting summer camps for pediatric speech clients, and which will fully subsidize all pediatric speech sessions in the academic year ahead. The opportunity to ensure that all pediatric clients face no financial barriers to speech services is a true milestone in our Clinic and community, where demand for services continues to increase and families face ongoing financial constraints. We are proud to partner with OSR to help young Oregon children develop the communication skills they need to be successful at home, in school, and in life.
We recently acknowledged OSR’s generous support on the College of Education’s social media changes. I’ve provided links to those posts below.
Again, thank you for this investment in youth pediatric services in Lane County. We look forward to reporting back on the impact of this investment in the year ahead.
With gratitude, Esther, Director of Development, UO College of Education
I would like to add my appreciation for the OR Scottish Rite’s recent gift for pediatric speech/language services in our College of Education’s HEDCO Clinic. This gift makes such a difference to the children and families we serve!
Thank you for this impactful gift.
Warmly, Laura Lee, Dean & Castle-McIntosh-Knight Professor, UO College of Education
Thank you to all those who provided the contributions and support that made this endowment for the benefit of Oregon’s youth a possibility!
The Orient of Missouri is having another broadcast of their Cinematic Reunion July 25-28, 2024. Current Scottish Rite members of the 32° or higher are welcome to signup for the broadcast. Prospective Members or Candidates who have not been conferred the 32° will need to be balloted on by their Valley and receive dispensation to participate in this experience.
As a reminder, if you attended any of the previous Cinematic Reunions, you may login with your same user credentials to view and participate in any upcoming Cinematic Reunion Experience.
The Officers of the Oregon Consistory No. 1 invite all Masons, their spouses, and accompanied guests to attend and celebrate the 223rd anniversary of the Scottish Rite at the Feast of the Manifesto. Tickets are just $40. Accompanied non-members are welcome, this is not open to the general public.
The Feast of the Manifesto is a celebration of the world changing declaration in 1801 that formed the Scottish Rite as we know it today. It is considered by many Scottish Rite Masons to be the most important day in our history, for it was in 1801 that the Scottish Rite formally began as an organized Masonic body. The Feast Day of the Consistory is also known as the FEAST OF THE MANIFESTO of the Order, for it was in the 1802 Manifesto, called the “Circular throughout the two Hemispheres,” where May 31, 1801 was declared to be the formal establishment of the first Supreme Council in Charleston, South Carolina.
Meal catered by Gilda’s Italian Restaurant featuring: • Mista salad • Rigatoni al Formaggio (cheese and cream) • Chicken Cacciatore (tomato, olives, mushrooms) • Pork Loin Tuscan style (garlic, rosemary, & lemon) • Market vegetables • Roasted Potatoes • Bread and tapenade oil. Coffee, red or white wine, beer or n/a beverages for toasts and cookies for desert.
Willamette Lodge of Perfection #2 was Chartered on October 22, 1915. The change of name from the Willamette to the Eugene Lodge of Perfection was approved by the Supreme Council on October 22, 1947.
The James Richardson Chapter of Rose Croix[1] was also Chartered on October 22, 1915, the name was changed to the Eugene Chapter Knights of Rose Croix and was approved by the Supreme Council on October 16, 1945.
The Eugene Council of Knights Kadosh #2 was Chartered on October 20, 1921, and the Eugene Consistory was Chartered on October 16, 1923.
The first home of the Eugene Scottish Rite was in the building at 45 West 8th St. which was owned by Eugene City Lodge #11. The U.S. Post Office was on the ground floor and the Masonic Lodge was on the 2nd story. The Scottish Rite meet here from 1915 until 1926 when the Masons built a new building at 10th and Olive St. The Scottish Rite, like the Blue Lodge met here from 1926 until 1972. In 1972 Eugene Lodge moved to its current location at 2777 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.[2] At that time the Scottish Rite bought their own Temple at 1685 W. 13th St. This building had been owned by the Eugene Moose Lodge. [3] The Scottish Rite sold this building in /about 2010/ and moved over to McKenzie River Lodge #195, renovating a room in the basement for an office. An aging membership and no access to McKenzie River that didn’t involve stairs resulted to a move back to Eugene Lodge #11 where we started a hundred years earlier. The Eugene Valley Scottish Rite relocated to Eugene Lodge #11, in about 2014, where they currently meet.
The first Reunion Class met at the Eugene Lodge on March 5-6, 1920.
James Benson Underwood
1838-1882
The first member of the Oregon Scottish Rite from Eugene was James Benson Underwood. J.B. Underwood was the 31st person to receive the degrees of the Scottish Rite from John C. Ainsworth 33°. Brother Underwood was born on September 18, 1838 in Ontario County, New York. He came to Oregon by ship leaving Angelica, New York, sailing around the Horn, arriving in 1859. He was Raised a Master Mason in Eugene City Lodge #11 on June 24, 1861. He was elected Master of the Lodge in 1867. J. B. was an attorney living in Eugene City when he received the Scottish Rite degrees 4°- 32° inclusive on December 18, 1871.
This Brother was the first official Mayor of Eugene and was part of the City Council for many years. He was also a Miller and was the U.S. Postal Agent for Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana under President U.S. Grant. Worshipful Brother Underwood died on August 3, 1882; he was only 44 years old. More details of the life of J.B. Underwood will be forthcoming.
Michael Robinson 32° KCCH Orient Historian, Eugene Valley Secretary
August 2, 2018
[1] James Richardson Grand Commander of the Supreme Council of the Southern Jurisdiction of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.
[2] This address was originally 2777 Centennial Blvd.
[3] From a letter from Harold F. Draper Eugene Valley Secretary on September 24, 1980
About the author:
Michael D. Robinson 32° KCCH, was the second Master Mason Raised in Esoterika Lodge #227, and the first member Raised in that Lodge to serve as Worshipful Master. He was elected Master in 2013 and 2014, and currently serves as Historian. He is also Historian for Research Lodge #198 and Eugene Lodge #11 and District Deputy of District #13. Brother Robinson was appointed Historian of the Scottish Rite Orient of Oregon in December of 2014. He was the recipient of the “Novus Astorum” from the Portland Valley Scottish Rite in 2010, and the Hiram Award from Esoterika Lodge in 2012. In March of 2015 he was made Secretary of the Eugene Valley, and Director of the Work for that Valley in January of 2017.
To the best of my knowledge the first history of the Oregon Scottish Rite was found in the “Masonic History of the Northwest” History Publishing Company 1902 page 331-336. It is here repeated for your edification. Upcoming additions of the blog will give more information about MWB Hodson and the early Historians of the Oregon Scottish Rite.
CHAPTER XIX .
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in the State of Oregon.
THERE appears to have been but two Brethren of the Scottish Rite residing in Oregon prior to 1870. These were Ill. Bro. John C. Ainsworth, 33rd degree, and Bro. H. C. Morrice, 14th degree. We are not informed as to when or where either of these Brethren attained the degrees further than in the proceedings of the Supreme Council at its session held in the city of New Orleans, in April, 1861, Bro. Ainsworth was elected an honorary Inspector -General, and Ill. Bro. A. T. C. Pierson, Active Inspector – General of Minnesota, was authorized to confer the 33rd degree upon him.
There were, however, many among the leading Masons of the State who were desirous of obtaining more light, and believed it was contained in the beautiful rituals of the Scottish Rite. They, after many consultations, concluded to attempt the organization of a Lodge of Perfection, and upon the first of February, 1870, Ill. Bro. E. H. Shaw, 33d degree, Active Inspector – General of California, came to Portland and congregated the Brethren desirous of uniting in the enterprise, and by the authority of the Supreme Council and by his right as Sovereign Grand Inspector – General, conferred by explanation the degrees from the 4th to the 32nd upon 16 Brethren who at once united in forming Oregon Lodge of Perfection, No. 1, of Portland, with officers and members as follows John McCraken, Ven. Master; A. B. Richardson, Sen. Warden; Josiah Myrick, Jr. Warden; W. W. Upton, Orator; S. G. Reed, Treasurer; Le F. A. Shaw, Secretary; Theo. Wygant, Almoner; H. C. Morrice, Master of Ceremonies; R. B. Knapp, Sen. Expert; W. W. Francis, Jr. Expert; J. A. Chapman, Capt. of Guard; J. C. Ainsworth, J. D. W. Biles, Jos. Kellogg, Jos. N. Dolph, A. Zeiber and E. M. Burton.
A code of by-laws was provided and the fees for the degrees from the 4th to the 14th inclusive were fixed at $110, and the Lodge went to work with enthusiasm and success. Bro. John C. Ainsworth, 33d degree, was created an Active Inspector – General and at once went to work with his usual enthusiasm; and at the session of the Supreme Council, held at Louisville, Ky., in May, 1872, made a complete report of his work and. the standing of the bodies he had organized in the State, together with Oregon Lodge of Perfection, No. 1, organized in 1870, which gives the only complete account of the various bodies organized in Oregon ever made to the Supreme Council. This list of bodies, with their presiding officers, at that date were: Oregon Lodge of Perfection, No. 1 Portland, John McCraken, Ven. Master; Albert Pike Lodge of Perfection, No. 2, of Salem, S. F. Chadwick, Ven. Master; Ainsworth Lodge of Perfection, No. 3, of Corvallis, J. R. Bayley, Ven. Master; Albert G. Mackey Council, Princes of Jerusalem, No. 1, Portland, John McCraken, Ill. Tarshatha; B. B. French Council, No. 2, Salem, S. F. Chadwick, Ill. Tarshatha; Ainsworth Chapter, Rose Croix, No. 1, Portland, John McCraken, Wise Master; Giles M. Hillyer Chapter, Rose Croix, No. 2, Salem, S. F. Chadwick, Wise Master; and Multnomah Council, Knights Kadosh, No. 1, Portland, Ill. .John McCraken, Em. Commander. These bodies as charter fees, fees for degrees, and incidentals, paid to the Supreme Council for the years 1870 and 1872 the handsome sum of $3,905.51.
Of the above bodies those of Corvallis and Salem, after several years of earnest endeavor, found their fields of labor too narrow for satisfactory success and surrendered their charters and dissolved, a large number of their members joining the bodies in Portland, and the others drifted into non – affiliation, and many of them have passed the confines of earth life and are with us no more.
With the above mentioned report Ill. Bro. Ainsworth presented his resignation as Active Inspector -General to take effect as soon as his successor could be chosen, and duly qualified, which occurred at the session in 1874, when Ill. Bro. John McCraken was crowned an active member of the Supreme Council, and Bro. Ainsworth elected an emeritus member.
Soon after this above mentioned report, Albert G. Mackey Council, No. 1, Princes of Jerusalem, of Portland, controlling the 15th and 16th degrees was merged into Ainsworth Chapter, Rose Croix, No. 1, of Portland, and a few years subsequent, the Supreme Council ceased to organize councils of the Princes of Jerusalem, hence there are no bodies of these degrees, separate from the Chapters, now in the southern jurisdiction. Ill. Bro. John McCraken served as Active Inspector-General until 1878, when he tendered his resignation and was elected a member emeritus, Ill. Bro. S. F. Chadwick being elected his successor, but it does not appear that he ever accepted the election or performed any of the duties of Active Inspector – General, and in 1883 Ill. Bro. Rockey P. Earhart was crowned Active Inspector – General and served until his death in 1892; he was succeeded by Ill. Irving W. Pratt, in 1892, as Active Inspector – General, the duties of which important position he has continued to discharge up to the present writing, to the complete satisfaction of the Brethren and the great benefit of the Craft.
Ill. Bro. McCraken presided as Venerable Master from organization, until he was appointed Active Inspector – General in 1874, when he transferred the duties of the office to Ill. Bro. Pratt, who was regularly elected Ven. Master in 1876 and continued to serve until 1885, when Ill. Bro. Seth L. Pope was elected his successor, who served until 1891, when our present Ven. Master, Ill. Bro. Philip S. Malcom was chosen, whose industry and Masonic enthusiasm has made decided impressions for good upon the rite in the State. The membership of Oregon Lodge of Perfection, No. 1, of Portland, now reaches the respectable number of 441, good men and true.
Bro. Le F. A. Shaw was first Secretary at organization in 1870, and served until January 1, 1871, when Bro. W. W. Francis was chosen to succeed him, who was in turn succeeded by Bro. H. C. Morrice, March 3, 1874, who served until October 5, 1875, when Bro. Francis again resumed the keeping of the minutes of the work, until February 29, 1876. Ill. Bro. B. G. Whitehouse was elected, who faithfully kept the records until February, 1888, when Bro. E. H. Miller was chosen, serving until March 1, 1891, when Bro. Gustaf Wilson was elected who served until March 1, 1902, when, on account of increasing age and infirmity he resigned and Bro. Brydon H. Nicoll was elected Secretary, which position he satisfactorily fills.
We find that in the main the history of the Lodge of Perfection was virtually the history of the other bodies, as the charters for Oregon Lodge of Perfection, No. 1, Ainsworth Chapter, Rose Croix, No. 1, and Multnomah Council of Kadosh, No. 1, were issued by the Supreme Council upon the same date, to wit: December 13, 1871. By the authority of Ill. John C. Ainsworth, S.G.I.G., the Brethren were convened, the Chapter and council organized and officers installed upon the 16th day of January, 1872, with almost exactly the same Brethren occupying corresponding positions through all the bodies; this condition was maintained until in 1883 Bro. Philip S. Malcolm was elected Wise Master of the Chapter and through his energetic efforts an increased interest was soon manifested.
In the early part of 1891 the subject of organizing a Consistory was discussed and the matter soon took definite shape, and a petition for a charter was forwarded to the Supreme Council, which was granted under date of March 20, 1891, as Oregon Consistory, No. 1, of Portland; and the organization was completed May 13th, following. The officers elected and installed were: Philip Schuyler Malcolm, 33rd degree, Grand Cross Master of Kadosh; David S. Tuthill, 33rd degree, Prior; Louis G. Clark, 33d degree, Preceptor; Andrew Roberts, 33d degree, Chancellor; George H. Chance, 33d degree, Orator; John R. Foster, 33d degree, Treasurer and Almoner; and S. B. Riggen, Registrar. Ill. F Bro. Malcolm was at the same time elected presiding officer of each of the other bodies, and infusing his own enthusiasm into the other Brethren they went to work with renewed energy and soon the attention of the Fraternity in general was directed to the beautiful features of the rite and many sought to participate in its light. The hall in the Masonic Temple soon became insufficient to accommodate the growing numbers, and new quarters were engaged in the Marquam block at an annual rental of $1,800, and fitted up at an expense of several thousand dollars with all the paraphernalia for conferring the degrees and accommodation of the Brethren in the best style. For some years it has been the practice, in addition to the regular meetings of the rite, to hold semi-annual reunions to which the country members were especially invited. These reunions were held in January and June, the latter during Grand Lodge week, prior to its opening, and has resulted in large additions from the ranks of the most earnest thinking Masons of the State. No contention or rivalry between the rites has ever been engendered but all working together in the most complete harmony; in fact a very large percentage of the members of the Scottish Rite belong to all departments of the York Rite; and very few of the Brethren who have joined the Lodge of Perfection have, on any account, failed to become Masters of the Royal Secret.
As a result of this prosperity of the Scottish Rite, their quarters in the Marquam are too small, and now, after an occupancy of ten years, the Scottish Rite is engaged in the erection of a magnificent cathedral, on the corner of Morrison and Lownsdale Streets, in the city of Portland, that, when completed, will be sufficient to accommodate not only themselves but all the Grand Bodies of the State for many years to come. The grounds are owned by Oregon Consistory, No. 1, incorporated, which issued bonds for $55,000, which, in addition to the sums already expended and in the Treasury, will be sufficient to complete and furnish the cathedral at a total cost of $100,000 without any indebtedness except the bonds issued. The cathedral will be furnished with a magnificent Aeolian organ which was built for the Pan – American Exposition, at Buffalo, and when completed the cathedral and its furnishings will be a source of honor, pleasure and instruction to the fraternity for all the coming years.
The following Oregon brethren have served as Sovereign Grand Inspectors General and Active members of the Supreme Council, 33d degree for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry: John C. Ainsworth, John McCraken, Rockey Preston Earhart, and Irving W. Pratt.
The following brethren have received the 33d degree and elected Honorary Members of the Supreme Council: *Stephen F. Chadwick, *Joseph N. Dolph, John R. Foster, Ferdinand N. Shurtleff, Philip Schuyler Malcolm, Seth L. Pope, *Andrew Roberts, Benjamin G. Whitehouse, *David S. Tuthill, *George E. Withington, Louis Gaylord Clarke, Jacob Mayer, *Henry L. Hoyt, James W. Cook, George H. Chance, Douglas W. Taylor, Joseph Simon, Donald Mackay, John B. Cleland, Francis Asbury Moore, and John Milton Hodson. * Deceased.
About the editor of this essay:
Michael Robinson 32°
Michael D. Robinson 32° KSA, was the second Master Mason Raised in Esoterika Lodge #227, and the first member Raised in that Lodge to serve as Worshipful Master. He was elected Master in 2013 and 2014, and currently serves as Chaplin for that Lodge. Brother Robinson was appointed Historian for the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Orient of Oregon in December of 2014, and Secretary of the Eugene Valley in March of 2015. He also serves as Historian for Research Lodge #198 and Eugene Lodge #11. He is the recipient of the “Novus Astorum” from the Scottish Rite in 2010, and the Hiram Award from Esoterika Lodge in 2012.
Brother Robinson has a degree in History from Colorado State University, class of 1982,
This is part 2 of “Some Early Oregon Scottish Rite History“. If you are interested in reading part 1 click the link: http://bit.ly/1FDpsMP
Click on any of the pictures to enlarge
Louis Gaylord Clarke
Early in the spring of 1880, I knocked at the door of Portland Lodge No. 55 and two years later was received into full fellowship in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. My early Masonic affiliation was with these pathfinders of the West. From these men who stood high in the country’s development and who taught by practice and example the great lessons of life, I learned many and valuable lessons.
The Oregon country was settled by a super type of empire builders from the East and great middle West. This vast territory .afterwards became the states of Oregon, Washington and Idaho. As the country developed, as the gospel of good government, hard work and self denial was spread among the hardy toilers of the West, this vast country grew in importance, and became the land of promise. The light of a new day dawned; that light shed its benevolent rays over these hills and valleys, mighty forests of inexhaustible
timber and navigable rivers flowing into the sea; new industries soon followed. The men and women who crossed the plains to this western El Dorado builded their churches and schools coincidentally with their homes and defended their families from attacks of the Indians who grew suspicious of these ambitious newcomers. These pioneers were not without
trials and vicissitudes. The call to new territory and to new prospects was a constant drain on their resources. The little colonies became at times depleted and discouraged by the constantly moving spirit of restless activity.
It was early in the fall of 1886 that a meeting of Oregon Lodge of Perfection was called to discuss the advisability of surrendering its charter and disbanding the Order because of discouragement and many other problems. Dissolution seemed imminent.
This meeting was called in the old Masonic Temple at the corner of Third and Alder streets. A general invitation was extended to the brethren of the Rite throughout the Jurisdiction. The meeting was well attended considering the size of the membership. A full discussion followed relative to the standing of the order, its vicissitudes and discouragements. After fully bringing forth the reasons for asking for dissolution it was decided to pass the hat in order that sufficient funds might be secured to pay off the debts of the order before disbanding.
It was evident that lack of money was not the reason for wishing to disband for the brethren responded splendidly to the request for funds with which to pay the indebtedness. It seemed rather strange with such a financial response, that the brethren should be so apathetic about personal effort in saving the very life blood of the order.
A visiting brother, in the government service, supervising the establishment of the Chemawa Indian School at Salem, whose name I have unfortunately forgotten, was largely responsible for saving the charter of the Oregon bodies. It was his counsel and impassioned appeal that turned the tide. He declared that the brethren knew not what they were doing in abandoning this Temple of Philosophy to the tender mercies of the profane. “Man is a builder,” he said, and as he builds, he builds also a Temple, a City or a civilization. He also builds habits, character and destiny;
Your great work here is only begun; to leave the unfinished Temple, so auspiciously begun, would make you false to yourself, your brethren and to God.”
After continued discussion it was suggested by Brother Withington that Brother Malcolm, then fresh from his achievements in Australia, be asked to take over the direction of the bodies. He finally consented to do so provided he could have full control of the bodies and not be hampered by any committees or delegations. He also wished to have exclusive power to appoint his officers; in other words to be given a free hand until such time as he was ready to report.
It was the only light that had shown through the darkness and the brethren were enthusiastic in accepting Brother Malcolm’s proposition. Full power was delegated to him by this committee to proceed along the lines he had indicated. Following this general line of procedure Brother Malcolm appointed David S. Tuthill, Senior Warden, Louis G. Clarke, Junior Warden, Edward Withington, Master of Ceremonies, and Gustav Wilson, Tyler.
Brother Malcolm at once proceeded to rejuvenate the conditions, establishing the same officers in the various degrees that were then to be worked, namely the Fourteenth, Eighteenth, Thirtieth and Thirty-second. Of these officers chosen by Brother Malcolm, all have passed on except the writer.
The brethren entered upon their new duties with vim and determination and from that hour the bodies had a full quota of applications for membership. Two years elapsed from the time the novitiate received his first degree until the Thirty-second could be conferred upon him.
Invitations were extended to the brethren at this time, in a well and courteously directed letter to unite with the bodies. These letters usually brought forth the desired favorable reply, so highly did the brethren regard such an invitation to join the Scottish Rite Bodies at this time.
Our membership was enthusiastic and progressive. I have never seen the degrees exemplified in better form than in the old Temple at Third and Alder streets. It was during Grand Commander Caswell’s visit to the coast in 1895 that he reviewed the work of the Oregon Bodies and pronounced it “most excellent,” declaring that the Oregon Bodies were doing the finest work in the jurisdiction at that time.
All degree work was done from the floor. We had no stage and very little paraphernalia with which to bring out the beauties of the various degrees. The membership of the bodies at that time was approximately one hundred
In 1891 we moved to the old Marquam building on the 8th floor, fitting up new quarters and adding much paraphernalia. This forward step brought us even more inquiries for membership and at no time in the early growth of our order were we hampered for initiates. We selected our own members and were indeed careful as to the character and standing of the men who we were to unite with us in this new and great organization.
By 1895 the order had grown to more than 250. The attendance was splendid and we began to feel the want of more room and better facilities. A resolution to build a new Temple met with much opposition, but finally carried, some of the older members declared that breakers were ahead, but these good brethren soon fell into line, got under the proposition and boosted for the new Temple which now occupies the southwest corner of Lownsdale and Morrison streets.
In 1902 ground was purchased for the new Temple at Morrison and Lownsdale streets. The lot, 100 x 120, was purchased for $ 18,000. That location was considered to be in the residential part of the city. Plans for the new Temple were designed and the building erected by Architect Richard Martin 33° in 1903. The bond issue to cover the cost was absorbed by the brethren. It has long since been retired. The Temple covers the entire ground and is now the home of the Portland Scottish Rite Bodies exclusively. The auditorium has a seating capacity of fifteen hundred and is one of the most attractive in the city.
The pipe organ, built by the Eolian Company for the Lewis and Clark Exposition, 1905, was purchased by the Rite at a cost approximately $10,000. It was made possible largely by the personal contributions of the brethren. The scenery and stage settings were the work
of William Grabaugh 32°, who gave much time and study to the work. The art treasures are very valuable. The social hall is attractive and commodious, the executive quarters of the bodies are domiciled here with Brother B. H. Nicoll 33° as the efficient secretary. For nearly two score years he has called the brethren to labor.
Oregon Consistory was chartered March 20, 1891. The incorporators were P. S. Malcolm 33° D. D. Tuthill 33° and Louis G. Clarke 33°.
The visit of Grand Commander Albert Pike to Oregon in June, 1890, was a memorable occasion. The influence of his presence was inspiring and abiding. A banquet was given in his honor by the brethren of the rite, in Louis Eppinger’s restaurant, at First and Ankeny streets. The writer remembers well the inspiring words of wisdom that fell from the speaker’s lips. This was his second visit to Oregon. His first visit was in the late 1878 or early in 1880, when he conferred the Fourth and Fifth degrees on about twelve brethren at the old Temple.
No one could know Brother Pike without loving and venerating him as a man and Mason. My contact with him was one of the outstanding features of my Masonic career. More than any other event of my life was the inspiration he gave me to further effort in the great cause of Freemasonry. Albert Pike died in 1891.
“To the past go more dead faces,
every year,
As the loved leave vacant places,
every year;
Everywhere the sad eyes meet us
In the evening’s dusk they greet us
And to come to them entreat us
every year.”
In the year 1894 it was suggested by some of the members that the Inspectors General in Oregon meet for dinner on the anniversary of Albert Pike’s birthday, spend the evening together and so bring the members into closer union and further cement the ties of friendship and fraternity. At this first meeting there were present Brothers McCracken, Pratt, Malcolm, Roberts, Foster, Withington, Tuthill and Clarke, all of whom have passed on except the writer. These meetings have been zealously observed ever since. Now there are thirty-two Inspectors General about the table.
Our Oregon Bodies now number about five thousand active, harmonious workers in the great and glorious cause of Scottish Rite Masonry. We are peacefully domiciled in our Temple. Over the threshold of its protecting dome no dissension or discord has ever crossed.
In addition to the present Temple in Portland, we have a Consistory, Chapter of Rose Croix, Council and Lodge of Perfection in Eugene; Consistory, Chapter of Rose Croix. Council and
Lodge of Perfection in Baker; Lodge of Perfection and Chapter of Rose Croix in Roseburg; Lodge of Perfection and Chapter of Rose Croix in Marshfield; Lodge of Perfection and Chapter of Rose Croix in Medford, and Lodge of Perfection in Salem. The bodies are all prosperous and progressive.
The spiritual altars of Scottish Rite Masonry that were builded in the hearts and consciences of these sturdy western pioneers of the Rite and dedicated to the God of their fathers, continue to illuminate the horizon though their builders have long since passed the portals to their reward.
“But the truer life draws nigher.
every year,
And its morning star climbs higher,
every year;
Earth’s hold on us grows slighter,
And the heavenly burden lighter,
And the dawn immortal brighter,
Every year.”
* • *
EDITOR’S NOTE: This most interesting historic review of Scottish Rite Masonry inOregon, by our Illustrious Bro. Clarke 33°, is the only authentic record of the Rite available. Brother Clarke is the surviving member of that noble band of Scottish Rite pioneers who paved the way for those who were to follow . By their perseverance and faith in the belief in the Grand Architect of The Universe.
We have today this magnificent Scottish Rite organization throughout the state numbering among its membership leading citizens of the community. We will never be able to repay them for their gift to Masonry in material things but we can by virtuous lives and kindness to our fellow man, at least show our appreciation to them for having kept alive that flickering spark amidst the wilderness, that has become one of the leading states of the Pacific slope.
To know Brother Clarke, is to love him. We cherish his friendship among our most valued possessions. The spirit that surrounds him in his everyday walk of life is of that noble type which endears him to all who meet him at first sight. Scottish Rite Masonry is indeed fortunate to have him as its leader.
About the editor of this essay:
Michael D. Robinson 32° KSA, was the second Master Mason Raised in Esoterika Lodge #227, and the first member Raised in that Lodge to serve as Worshipful Master. He was elected Master in 2013 and 2014, and currently serves as Chaplin for that Lodge. Brother Robinson was appointed Historian for the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Orient of Oregon in December of 2014, and Secretary of the Eugene Valley in March of 2015. He also serves as Historian for Research Lodge #198 and Eugene Lodge #11. He is the recipient of the “Novus Astorum” from the Scottish Rite in 2010, and the Hiram Award from Esoterika Lodge in 2012.
Brother Robinson has a degree in History from Colorado State University, class of 1982, and is a Historian, Genealogist, Certified Vertebrologist, Artist, Craftsman and Bishop Emeritus of the Essene Church.
01/13 – Clarke Trust Fund Meeting 5:30 pm Body Head Meeting 6:00 pm Dinner 6:30 pm Stated Meeting 7:00 pm
01/20 – 22nd/23rd Degree Conferral
01/27 – Degree Review and Discussion
02/10 – Sweet Heart’s Dinner
My Brethren, the roll of the workmen has been called, and one Master Mason, Brother Wayne Felder 32°, has not answered to his name. He has laid down the working tools of the Craft and with them he has left that mortal part for which he no longer has use.
Brother Felder was memorialized on December 22nd at the Al Kader Shrine Center in Wilsonville, Oregon.
The roll of the workmen has been called, and one Master Mason, Brother John Billups 32°, has not answered to his name. He has laid down the working tools of the Craft and with them he has left that mortal part for which he no longer has use.
Brother Billups was memorialized on November 21st at the Lincoln Memorial Park and Funeral HOME in Portland.
Please remember Len Schiler who is recovering at home from the effects of a minor stroke.
Also remember Garry Lienhard who is recovering from heart bypass surgery.
Sweet Heart’s Dinner
Don’t forget to make your reservations for our Sweet Heart’s Dinner taking place on Tuesday February 10th.
Come honor our Ladies!!! We are honoring those special women who, without their support we Masons could not do our work. We are having a social time starting at 5:30 and dinner at 6:15. Price will be $20 per person.
Tentative Entertainment Provided By:
Dave and Theo Newton Duo
Piano entertainment will start during our social hour
Piano and vocalist entertainment will follow during our
Remember to make reservations for diners by calling the office (By 10 am on the Friday before the event) (503)226-7827 or e-mailing Officemanager@PortlandSR.com
Dear Brothers, please take note of the new email addresses for the Portland Valley Business Workgroup.
PR@portlandsr.com (Walt Johnson) Portland Valley Personal Representative
clarktrust@portlandsr.com (Eric Gazow) Clark Trust
orientcfo@portlandsr.com (Eric Gazow) Orient of Oregon CFO
treasurer@portlandsr.com (Larry Roberts) Treasurer Portland Valley
blog@portlandsr.com (Larry Roberts) Blog Administrator
buildingmanager@portlandsr.com (Michael Shebora) Portland Building Manager
