HARMONY LODGE 6

High, white and gleaming, Galveston rises on the island named after Count Galvez---less a city than a symbol, a city of immortalized ideals, rather than a metropolis of surging human aspiration. Connected with the struggling evolution from a Mexican colony to a modern city, it has been, is, and always will be, a dominant power in the State of Texas.

Harmony Lodge No. 6, A.F. & A.M., had its beginning when the population was less than five hundred persons, and so connected is it with the events of importance in the history of Galveston, that the story of either would be incomplete without many references to the other.

In 1838, a number of Master Masons, residing in Galveston, presented a petition for a dispensation for a Lodge to Most Worshipful Grand Master Anson Jones, and on June 2nd, 1838, he granted the dispensation to F. M. Gibson, Nicholas Lynch, Amassa Turner, W. Thomas Brannum, Samuel M, Williams, James P. Boylen and Thomas M. Thompson. However, from the Grand Lodge records we learned that no Lodge was formed, or that any action was taken on the dispensation at that time. From old records of the city, this delay in organizing a Lodge was evidently due to an epidemic of yellow fever, cholera and other loathsome diseases which the medical profession had not, at that time, learned to conquer.

But on June 5th, 1839, M:.W:. Grand Master, B. T. Archer, issued a dispensation to form a Lodge of Master Masons at Galveston, to be known as Harmony Lodge No.6 A.F. & A.M. Brother George Fisher was authorized by the Grand Master to set the Lodge to work. This he did on June 6th, 1839, with the following officers, who were duly installed:

These, and eleven other original members, met in what was called the “COURT ROOM,” located in a house belonging to Colonel Rhodes, who was then United States Consul at Galveston. It was situated on the north side of Strand (Avenue B) between Sixteenth and Seventeenth Streets. The records of the Lodge fail to show the names of the original members, other than the officers, but Grand Lodge records show that the following were original members: Moro Phillips, J. Johnson, Amassa Turner, E. A. Rhodes, Henry Gilroy, Samuel May Williams, G. W. Hall, W. P. Herring, A. C. Hinto, James Petty, and J. Matossy.

Williams, preparation were made to furnish equipment and paraphernalia for a Lodge room in the

Matossy House, the location which is unknown. Jewels were imported from England by Brother

The first initiation took place on August 5th, 1839, when John M. Dor, P. J. Menard and Asa G. Sweet received the first degree. Brothers Dor and Menard were the first to receive the Masters Degree in the new Lodge, which was conferred on August 28th, 1839. The Lodge appeared to be firmly established when it was adjourned indefinitely, “for certain cogent reasons.” From other records it is found that an epidemic of a malignant disease was prevalent at that time.

The history of this Lodge would not be complete without mentioning something of the splendid work of Brother Samuel May Williams. It was he who was the moving spirit in all branches of Masonry in this city, the principal person interested in the organization of Harmony Lodge No. 6, and he is regarded as the “father” of the Lodge, It was he who secured and brought the records and annual reports up to date and presented them to the Grand Lodge meeting in January, 1840, when the Lodge was chartered.

The present rule of the Grand Lodge (that a Grand Master must have served as Master of his subordinate Lodge), must not have been in effect, or, if it was, the rule was suspended at that time, because Samuel May Williams never served as Master of Harmony Lodge No. 6. He was appointed Junior Warden pro tem, in December, 1839, and in June, 1840, was elected Grand Master. Harmony Lodge No. 6 approved a petition to form a German Lodge in Galveston in 1848. This Lodge was known as Teutonia No. 47, and had an active existence from 1848 to 1855, when the Lodge was demised, and the members thereof became members of Harmony Lodge No. 6.

Lodge records indicate that inter-Lodge visits were made frequently in spite of the lack of communication and transportation. One trip was made to Holland Lodge in Houston by members of Harmony and Teutonia Lodges. The trip was made by boat and three days were required.

The years from 1853 to 1858 seem to have been the darkest in the history of the Lodge. A serious epidemic was raging and the Lodge was suspended for months at a time. Little work was done except relief to the distressed. Two funerals of note were held, i.e.: of Anson Jones, Past Grand Master and late President of the Republic of Texas, and Samuel May Williams, the “father” of Harmony Lodge. The years of the War Between the States are reflected in the loss of membership and the general confusion that followed required years to overcome.

Records of the Lodge from 1859 to 1867 have been lost, presumably in the summer of 1866, when the Lodge room was completely destroyed by fire, but from the records of San Felipe de Austin Chapter No. 1, Royal Arch Masons of Galveston, an incident of true Masonic spirit is shown.

Philip C. Tucker Jr., was eulogized for his loyalty to duty in remaining at his post as Master of Harmony Lodge when he conducted the Masonic burial service over the remains of Brother S. B. Hurlburt, who was killed in the evacuation of the City of Galveston during an attack on the city by the Federal Naval Forces. The service was held under the most dangerous circumstances, but Brother Tucker remained at his post until the service was completed. The date of Brother Hulburt’s burial was October 6th, 1862, and after the service Brother Tucker left for his post in Houston, It seems that the work of Harmony Lodge ceased after that time.

“When the Confederate forces decided to retake Galveston from the Federal forces, a fierce battle took place, both on land and on water. During the battle a Lieutenant Commander of the United States Navy, in charge of the Gunboat “Harriet Lane,” and a Brother Mason in the States, was killed. A flag of truce was sent ashore, and Confederate leaders were informed of the dying request of Brother A. H. Wainright, Lieutenant Commander, who was killed, that he be buried with Masonic honors. The Confederate General declared a truce for twenty-four hours in order that Brother Wainright’s last request might be carried out. Orders were issued that “leaders of Federal forces should issue orders that all Masons, members of the Federal forces, be allowed to come ashore to participate in the burial, with only their promise, given to their (Federal) Commander, that they would not pry into military secrets. The Brethren gathered in Harmony Lodge’s hall on January 1st, 1863, with Brother Philip C. Tucker Jr., acting in the official position of Master.

“It is interesting to note that Brother Tucker immediately granted the request of the Federal Commander, despite the contumely heaped upon him by an excited populace. It appears that while Brother Tucker acted as Master, all of the other stations were filled by members of the Federal forces. Brother Wainright was buried with full Masonic honors in Harmony Lodge’s Cemetery plot in this city.”

This act of Brother Tucker is a shining example of Masonic obligations, that war, rebellion and bloodshed do not absolve a Mason from his Masonic obligations; that bonds and pledges of the faithful are not broken when members differ in opinions, faith, or errors, and that they transcend all national boundary lines.

The laying of the cornerstone of St. Johns Methodist Church by the Grand Lodge took place in 1869, in which Harmony Lodge assisted (this Church was located on the southwest corner of 25th and Avenue J, and was destroyed during the 1900 storm); on June 9th, 1870, Harmony Lodge also assisted the Grand Lodge in laying the cornerstone of the Jewish Synagogue; on July 7th, 1877, the Lodge participated in the cornerstone ceremony of the Galveston Cotton Exchange (this Exchange was rebuilt in 1940), and that of the Rosenberg school on June 30th, 1888, and of the Protestant Orphans Home on October 20th, 1894, and also on March 10th, 1896, when the cornerstone of the Y.M.C.A. building was laid (this building was at the Southwest corner of Avenue O) and again when the cornerstone of the Rosenberg Library was laid on October 18th, 1902. On May 11th, 1965 the cornerstone of Weiss Elementary School was laid and the same day the old Shrine Burns Hospital cornerstone was also laid. On October 26th, 1991 presentation of the Grand Lodge of Texas was called to order by Past Grand Master George R. Scott and the cornerstone was laid for the new Shrine Burns Hospital at 815 Market Street in Galveston.

The years of the early Nineties were those of low ebb. Initiations were few, attendance at the meetings was small and general lethargy seemed to prevail. But in 1896, younger men, filled with the enthusiasm of youth, became interested in the affairs of the Lodge and there was renewed interest and great activity.

In September, 1900, the raging waters of the Gulf of Mexico wrought havoc in the city and members of the Fraternity suffered greatly; homes were destroyed, many were drowned, food was scarce and great confusion prevailed. The day following the storm a relief committee was formed by several Masonic Bodies of Galveston, and a few days later food was being distributed to the hungry, distressed, weak and fallen. We could write at length of the work and self-sacrifice of the Brethren, but it would only bring a reminder of the grief we wish to forget.

Having suffered by reason of storms, the Brethren felt kindly toward other Brethren in similar circumstances and made liberal donations to the San Francisco earthquake sufferers, the Youngstown flood victims, the Corpus Christi storm sufferers, and the Texas City disaster victims, as well as to numerous other worthy and needy enterprises.

In response to a call made February 13th, 1922, by Grand Master Andrew L. Randell, for donations for new buildings at the Masonic Home and school at Fort Worth, the amount raised was far beyond the goal set by the Grand Master.

Harmony Lodge No. 6 has furnished six Grand Masters for the Grand Lodge of Texas; six Grand High Priests for the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Texas; one Grand Commander for the Grand Commandery Knight Templars of Texas; and one Sovereign Grand Commander of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.

Early in the life of the Lodge, the idea of the erection of a building of its own seemed to have permeated the thoughts of the members, and until the accomplishment of the object in 1884, this question was of great concern.

The land was purchased in 1848, and in 1850, steps were taken to erect a Temple. After many trials and tribulations, the cornerstone was laid in 1856, by Grand Master E. B. Nichols, a member of Harmony Lodge, at which time the Grand Master of Texas met in annual session in Galveston.

In 1882, another movement was started, which was successful, and the cornerstone of that Temple was laid the same year by Deputy Grand Master W. H. Nicholas, a member of Harmony Lodge. The stone used was the same one that was used in 1856, and just here the coincidence may be mentioned that the W. H. Nicholas who, as Deputy Grand Master of Texas, presided as acting Grand Master at the placing of the cornerstone in the building, was a son of the Grand Master who in 1856 presided in the capacity of Grand Master at the cornerstone ceremony.

The Masonic Temple was situated at the southeast corner of 21st and Post Office Streets. It was designed in an adaptation of the Italian Gothic style, modernized to meet requirements of, and the climatic needs of the locality. The leading features of the architecture style were its plaster buttresses and Gothic detail engrafted on classic forms of the Italian renaissance, with the distinctive details of each style modified in a harmonious manner to blend the pleasing features of each, without harshness, retaining, however, a preponderance of Gothic outlines in the arched construction and tracery of the openings and other salient features of this distinctively Northern European style.

This building was very impressive. Its heavy walls and massive construction with its richness of details in moulding and capitals gave to the beholder an impression of attachment, warmth of association with a past, and the vision of a future with permanence.

The cost of the structure was $57,000.00, and the shares, with few exceptions, are owned by the several Masonic Bodies in Galveston and are governed by a Board of Directors composed of representatives of these Bodies.

This building was destroyed by fire between the hours of 11:00 PM Monday, January 12th, and 4:30 AM, January l3th, 1942: the last Masonic meeting was held on that evening, during which the Entered Apprentice and the Fellowcraft Degrees were conferred.

Meetings were held in the Scottish Rite Temple, 2128 Avenue F, from Monday, January 19, 1942, which was a Stated Meeting, to and including Monday, February 22, 1954, a Called Meeting. The Lodge removed to the Masonic Temple Building on the northeast corner of Avenue I and 22nd Street on Thursday, February 25th, 1954. These buildings were formerly known as Temple B’Nai Israel and the Cohen Community House, which has been purchased and remodeled by the Masonic Temple Association which is composed of representatives from Harmony Lodge No.6 and Tucker Lodge No. 297, A. F. & A. M., and San Felipe de Austin Chapter No. 1, R.A. M., Galveston Council No. 16, R. & S. M., and San Felipe de Austin Commandery No. 1, K. T. The price of the buildings and land being $80,000.00. The remodeling of the Community House cost approximately $103,000.00, the second story of which was used as a Lodge Room for the Blue Lodges; the first floor consisting of a number of rooms was rented out as office space. The Temple Building was remodeled at approximately $60,000.00, the second floor being used as a Lodge Room for Chapter, Council and Commandery; the first floor being used as a banquet hall, where the Eastern Star Chapters, the Beauceant and the Rainbow Girls held their meetings. The costs were paid by the different Bodies without any assessment of the members. The Lodge Room floor for the Blue Lodges was originally covered with a black and white pavement having the Winding Stairway therein, but later was covered with a blue carpet.

On Tuesday, January 30th, 1940, the Lodge celebrated its Centennial in the Scottish Rite Temple.

As we face the second century of our existence as an important unit among the constituent Lodges that compose the Grand Lodge of Texas, we do so with a firm determination to apply the principles of the Ancient Craft-----liberty, equality and fraternity--- among all men of all creeds and in every country of the world. While facing the world with a united front of over 200 members and feeling confident that the Lodge will continue to enjoy the satisfaction of an intelligent, active and sincere membership, yet, we are conscious of the legacy given us by the founders of the Lodge, an institution with a principle that has as its foundation a belief in the Great Architect of the Universe

and its walls raised on the Brotherhood of Man. Resting on this everlasting truth, as on a rock, Harmony Lodge No. 6 has suffered the devastations of disease, the privations of war, the fury and force of the elements and the discomforts of economic depressions yet, it continues to grow. And. as long as time shall last, we, the membership, pledge ourselves to rededicate our best efforts to perpetuate this organized society of men, symbolically applying the principles of Operative Masonry and architecture to the science and art of character building and Brotherhood. On Saturday October 6th, 1990 the Lodge celebrated the 150th Anniversary in the Lodge Room followed by a banquet held at the Galvez Hotel which honored M:. W:. Ancil Derwood Hanna Grand Master who attended the banquet.

During the late 1980’s and early 1990’s The Masonic Temple Building was in poor condition, There was much money spent on the A/C system and building repairs, The offices on the first floor were not in good condition and had few renters. The stairway between the two buildings was leaking and there were problems in the building Eastern Star, York Rite, and Commandery met. A committee was formed to look into how much money it would take to get the two buildings into good condition.

Brother Louis Oliver who was an architect and a member of Harmony Lodge was asked to give a cost and structural analysis of possibly remodeling the first floor where the offices were. After many meetings and much discussion, it was decided that for the number of members attending the meetings, it would be financially harmful to the Temple Association and to all of the Masonic Bodies involved to attempt making the repairs needed.

All of the Masonic Bodies were notified of the results of the investigation and at a stated meeting of Harmony Lodge held on June 9, 1996, it was decided to sell both buildings. At a stated meeting held on October 13, 1997, a vote was taken and a majority of the members present decided that the Lodge would move back to Scottish Rite Building at 2128 Church St. On November 10, 1997, the Lodge held its first meeting at the Scottish Rite Building. The two buildings owned by the Masonic Temple Association were separated and sold individually. The monies were distributed among the stockholders of the Masonic Temple Association according to their shares.

On November11, 2000, the Lodge purchased Brother Robert {Bob} Lyons 1921 Past Master’s Jewel from Brother C.Q. Ammann’s widow, Brother Ammann had worn the Jewel for many years while he served the Lodge. He also served as President of the Masonic Temple Association and the Chairman of the Valley of Galveston for the Scottish Rite. The jewel was purchased to be worn by the Secretary of the Lodge if he is a Past Master and will have his name added to the Jewel on a bar.