December 4, 2022 – Breakfast with Santa
On Sunday, December 4th, The Manchester Masonic Lodge held its first annual Breakfast with Santa. The members of Manchester Lodge would like to thank everyone that dropped in for breakfast and the opportunity to hang with Santa. We enjoyed seeing all the young kids, dressed for the holidays and excited to see Santa. The menu consisted of Texas French Toast, Pancakes, Bacon and Sausage, Mixed Fruit, and beverages. Once again, our own Todd Crane pulled off an amazing meal for friends and family. This was a great way to kick off the Manchester Holiday Tree Lighting festivities. We are already planning next years Breakfast with Santa so make sure you mark your calendar for the first Sunday in December.
October 12, 2022 – Installation Ceremony
On Wednesday, October 12th, Manchester Lodge held its Installation Ceremony for its 2022/23 Officers. After serving the Lodge as Master for the past two terms, Wor. Todd Crane passed the Master’s gavel on to Wor. James Brown. Equally as notable, newly raised Mason, Bro. Dean Brown, was installed as Jr. Deacon. Dean and Jim’s first cousin, Wor. Rus Brown, was also involved in the ceremony. Brothers Brown, Brown, and Brown are very proud to be members of this great Lodge. The evening was open to family and friends and everyone had a wonderful evening. Wor. Todd Crane treated members and guests to a delicious meal featuring his dad’s famous fish dinner. As usual, he did an excellent job and is commended for his dedication and hard work.
August 17, 2022 – Raising of 3 New Candidates
On Wednesday the 17th Manchester Lodge raised three new candidates to the Degree of the Master Mason. What made the evening more special was that two of the candidates, Theo and Gus Brown, are the sons of Rus Brown, and the third candidate, Dean Brown, is the first cousin of Rus and Jim Brown. Jim and Rus are very active Masons at Manchester Lodge and were both very proud to participate in this ceremony.
December 8, 2021 – Annual Community Christmas Dinner
The Manchester Masonic Lodge hosted its annual Community Christmas Dinner on Wednesday, December 8th. With over 40 guests attending, the evening was a huge success. Once again, the kitchen crew served a delicious meal including roast beef, roast turkey and all the fixings. Attendees enjoyed Christmas music as well as the opportunity to catch up with friends and family. We would like to thank those of you that attended, and we wish you a Healthy and Happy New Year!
September 25, 2021 – 375th Celebration Post Parade Cookout
The Manchester Masonic Lodge and Manchester Legion, Post 113 hosted this wonderful event for members of our community, celebrating Manchester’s final 375th Anniversary celebration event of the year. Amazing guests, fine food, and live music. One of the highlights of the 375th Parade was the Aleppo Shriners Parade Brigade. This was truly a great day!
Many thanks to all that came down to enjoy the cookout and a special shout out to the Aleppo Shriners Parade Brigade, Manchester American Legion and Manchester’s 375th Anniversary Committee.
COOKOUT PHOTOS
PARADE PHOTOS
May 12, 2021 – Manchester Lodge Fraternal Visit
Grand Lodge recognized Manchester’s 100 years of service to Masonry at our 1,004th Communications and first Fraternal Visit of the year. Acting District Deputy, RW Edgar R. de León, presented Manchester Lodge with a plaque from the Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts Richard Maggio. As the sitting Master of the Lodge, Worshipful Christopher Thomas received the award.
In addition, Wor. Todd P. Crane received a Certificate of Meritorious Service award for the outstanding contribution he has made to Freemasonry over the past 30 years. All the Brethren of Manchester Lodge congratulate Wor. Crane for being rewarded for his many years of hard work and dedicated service within the 10th District.
January 21, 2021 – Manchester Lodge 100th Anniversary (& 1,000th meeting)!
Just over 100 years ago, in December of 1920, The Manchester Masonic Lodge was presented its charter and on January 21st, 1921, it held its first official meeting. On that special night, Manchester’s first Master, Worshipful George F. Cooke, rapped the gavel and began our history in Manchester by the Sea. Also in attendance was the Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts, Arthur D. Prince, who presented to the Lodge the candle setting that you see in this video below.
On January 21st, 2021, 100 years to the day, the officers of Manchester Lodge gathered to commemorate our 100th anniversary, which also happened to be our 1,000th meeting. Unfortunately, due to the current pandemic, our sidelines were quiet, but this was tempered by the knowledge that we will have a grand and more appropriate celebration later in the year. Under normal circumstances, the Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts, Most Worshipful Richard Maggio, District Deputy, Right Worshipful Neal P. Packard, as well as many Brothers from the surrounding area, would have been in attendance to help us celebrate this great and important event. They too, will help us celebrate this sublime occasion later in the year.
As part of this quiet, and somewhat poignant celebration, the Worshipful Master of Manchester Lodge, Worshipful Christopher J. Thomas, re-lit the 100-year-old candle in honor of those who are no longer with us, our current brothers around the world, and our future brothers that have not yet knocked on the door of Freemasonry. The flame of these candles represents the light that guides all of us down our Fraternal path.
Congratulations Manchester Lodge on 100 years.
December 11, 2019 – Manchester Lodge Community Christmas Dinner
The Manchester Lodge hosted its annual Community Christmas Dinner on Wednesday, December 11th. With over 60 guests attending, the evening was a huge success. Once again, the kitchen crew served a delicious meal including roast beef, roast turkey, and all the fixings. Attendees enjoyed live Christmas music as well as the opportunity to catch up with friends and family. We would like to thank those of you that attended and we wish you a healthy and happy new year!
October 19, 2019 – Manchester Lodge Open House
In conjunction with Masonic Lodges across the state, on Saturday, October 19, Mount Tabor Lodge & Manchester Lodge hosted the 2019 Manchester Lodge Open House at 10 Church Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea. The Masonic Open Houses are intended to allow interested members of the community an opportunity to tour the Masonic building, hear about our history and what it means to be a Mason, discover the meanings behind Masonry’s many symbols, and to find out what it takes to become a Mason. In addition to providing information about the Fraternity, the Lodge provided a No-Cost Flu Shot Clinic
in partnership with CVS Pharmacy at 6 Thatcher Road, Gloucester, MA, a Dog & Puppy Meet & Greet, courtesy of Cape Ann Animal Aid, 4 Paws Lane, Gloucester, MA, and free Ice Cream from Sweet Treats, Danvers, MA, and Face Painting.
August 10, 2019 – Allepo Shriners – Essex 250th Anniversary Parade
Residence of Essex, Mass, and surrounding communities were treated to a spectacular display of fun and laughter from the Allepo Shriners and the Shriner Clowns- Aleppo Shrine Clown Unit who performed in the Essex, Mass 250th Anniversary Parade. Personally, one of the highlights for me was seeing the Aleppo Shriners award-winning cycle unit in action. Spectacular! (Note: A few of these photos were sourced from the Aleppo Shriners Clown Unit FB page.)
August 10, 2019 – Annual Building Association Fundraising Clambake
Manchester Lodge and Mount Tabor Lodge gratefully hosted fellow Brethren of the 10th District to its Annual Building Association Fundraising Clambake on Saturday, August 10th. Special guests included members of the Allepo Shriners who marched in the Essex, Mass 250th Anniversary Parade (photos above). Members of Manchester Lodge and Mount Tabor Lodge prepared and served a tremendous fare that included Steamed Clams, Lobster, Steak, Chicken, Salad, and Beverages.
June 25, 2019 – 10th Masonic District Lodge of Instruction
Manchester Lodge was proud to host the 10th Masonic District Lodge of Instruction on Tuesday, June 25th. The highlight of the evening was a photo presentation and talk delivered by Dr. Eli Davidyan DMD. When he is not practicing at his office in Beverly, MA, Dr. Davidyan enjoys traveling the world, spreading dental awareness in countries with poor or no dental care. He has traveled to many lesser-developed regions including Mongolia, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Jamaica, and Morocco on dental missions where he and other like-minded colleagues provide pro bono dental maintenance and surgery to people that would otherwise suffer from dental pain and/or loss of teeth.
February 11, 2019 – Annual Beanpot Tournament
Members of Mount Tabor and Manchester Lodge were treated to a “subsidized” evening of great hockey at the Boston Garden courtesy of Mount Tabor Lodge. Northeastern ended up as the Beanpot tournament champions for the second straight season after defeating Boston College 4-2.
December 12, 2018 – Annual Community Christmas Dinner
The Manchester Lodge hosted its annual Community Christmas Dinner on Wednesday, December 12th. With over 60 guests attending, the evening was a huge success. Once again, the kitchen crew served a delicious meal including roast beef, roast turkey, and all the fixings. Attendees enjoyed live Christmas music as well as the opportunity to catch up with friends and family. We would like to thank those of you that attended and we wish you a healthy and happy new year!
November 28, 2018 – Meeting at Grand Lodge with Mount Tabor
Manchester Lodge is very grateful to Mount Tabor Lodge for the invitation to join them at their annual meeting at Grand Lodge in Boston on November 28th. This special meeting was held in the Ionic Hall on the 5th floor of this historic building. Significant highlights of the evening included RW. Bergengren presiding over the Manchester Lodge officer installation ceremony and a tremendous group dinner held at Tony C’s Sports Bar & Grill after the meeting.
October 20, 2018 – Annual Open House & “Touch-a-Truck” Event
We would like to thank the members of the community that came out yesterday to support the Manchester Masonic Lodge by participating in its Annual Open House and Touch-a-Truck event.
Special thanks and gratitude go out to the businesses and town departments that participated. This event would not have happened were it not for the generous support in both time and valuable equipment from the Manchester Fire Department (Jim Doucette was absolutely the best! Patiently answering all sorts of questions for visitors, working with the kids as they filed by the ladder truck, and just being there with a great smile and positive attitude. Greatly appreciated.), David Ellis and the Mass Mudders 4×4 Club of Gloucester, John Filias and Jeffreys Creek Land Contractors, Joe and Tom Pallazola and Pallazola Brothers Landscaping, and the Manchester Police Department.
Happy Holidays!
The Manchester Masonic Lodge
