Dedication of the cornerstone that will be placed on the outside of the new Masonic Lodge on East Trudgeon. Click here to see full video coverage of the day. | |
Over two years of construction came to full completion Saturday as the Tulledega Masonic Lodge was officially dedicated. Some 200 people were present from the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma as well as other Masonic lodges, local member and city officials. They heard Oklahoma Grand Master Gary Beisley declare the dedication completed after officers performed the dedication using the traditional corn, wine and oil ceremony. One of the final steps toward completion was dedicating the cornerstone that will be attached to the southeast corner of the building on East Trudgeon. Placed behind it will be a copper cylinder bearing the Masonic emblem and containing the list of current lodge members, various organization pins, coins and an American flag. | |
Part of the ceremony included calling upon local officers and guests to place a small amount of concrete on the cornerstone. Following the dedication, 240 years of membership by four Masons was marked. Beisley presented 65 year membership pins to Carl Sanderman and M.V. "Skip" Matthews as well as a 60 year pin to Joseph Cowan and a 50 year pin to James Smith. Construction of the new lodge facility started two years ago and, through private donations and contributed labor, was finished just over a month ago. Lodge members say the new facility is free of debt. It replaces the former lodge hall on South Fifth that members used for some 80 years. Photos of the dedication Saturday: |