The history of this, or Concordia Lodge, dates from the year 1872. During that year great interest was manifested among Master Masons in this vicinity looking towards the organization of a Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons in Fairhaven.
There were many Masons in town whose “Masonic Homes” were in New Bedford, Fall River, Somerset, Marion and other distant towns. The conveniences for traveling at that time were to a certain extent limited, and opportunity for attending meetings of distant Lodges and receiving the social and fraternal benefits of the Craft were in a measure denied these brethren. Although it is true they were always welcome to visit any near-by Lodge, the suggestion of having a “Home” of their own in town was met with enthusiasm and meetings were held in Fountain hall, Phoenix hall, and at the residence of Job. A.T. Eddy, who at that time resided in the “Pope house”, situated on Centre street, next west of the old lodge room and now owned by the Bartholomew Taber estate. Committees were appointed to decide upon a name, and also to draft a petition to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge for a charter.
The original petitioners were:
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George H. Taber
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Elbridge G. Paull
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Lorenzo Shurtleff
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Job A. T. Eddy
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Noah Stoddard
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Daniel J. Lewis
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Nathan D. Manter
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Charles H. Morton
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Ansel Tripp
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Edwin Stowell
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J. G. Morse
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Benjamin F. Cottle
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William L. Coburn
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George E. Bryant
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James V. Cox
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Levi M. Snow
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James A. Lewis
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Seth H. Keith
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Hiram F. Wilde
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James B. Tarr
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Russell Hathaway
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Phineas E. Terry
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John W. Nickerson
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Alexander Winsor
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H. J. J. Thompson
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L. A. Washburn
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Elisha Copeland
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I. N. Babbitt, Jr.
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Alfred Jones
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Theodore E. Lawton
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A.D. Stoddard
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All of these afterwards became charter members with the exception of Noah Stoddard, Nathan D. Manter, Benjamin F. Cottle, George E. Bryant, James V. Cox, James B. Tarr, Phineas E. Terry, George H. Taber, and A. D. Stoddard.
On December 12, 1872, dispensation was granted by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge to congregate into a Regular Lodge under the title of Concordia Lodge, with permission to form an open a lodge after the manner of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and make Freemasons, according to the Ancients Custom, and not otherwise, until the quarterly communication in the month of December, A.D., 1873, unless sooner revoked. The dispensation was signed by Sereno D. Nickerson, Grand Master, and attested by Charles H. Titas, Recording Grand Secretary. The Grand Master appointed “Brother Job A. T. Eddy to be the first Master, Brother E.G. Paull to be the first Senior Warden, and Borther Lorenzo Shurtleff to be the first Junior Warden of said Lodge. “
The upper floor of the building southeast corner of Centre and William streets was leased, altered and furnished as a lodge room and was first occupied by the petitioners, at which time they held their first meeting under the dispensation.
On the first meeting of the “Lodge” was held January 13th, 1873, and the other officers recorded on that occasion were Edwin Stowell, Treasurer; Seth H. Keith, Secretary; Rev. Frederick Upham, Chaplain; Charles H. Morton, Marshall; Levi M. Snow, Senior Deacon; James A. Lewis, Junior Deacon; Benjamin F. Cottle, Senior Steward; William L. Coburn, Junior Steward; John W. Nickerson, Tyler.
The lodge received its Charter from the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts on December 10th, A.D. 1873, A.L. 5873, to take precedence from December 12, A.D. 1872, A.L. 5873, (the date of the Dispensation), and it was signed by Sereno D. Nickerson, Grand Master; Percival L. Everett, Deputy Grand Master; Henry Endicott, Senior Grand Warden; Joseph K. Boker, Junior Grand Warden; and Charles H. Titas, Grand Secretary.
The membership at that time was thirty-one.
On January 30th, 1874, the “Officers of the Grand Lodge” dedicated the “Hall” to the purposes of Masonry in “Ancient Form” after which the lodge was “Constituted” and the officers elected and installed. The Grand Lodge officers were:
Sereno D. Nickerson - Grand Master
Percival L. Everett - Deputy Grand Master
William T. Grammas - Senior Grand Warden
Henry Endicott - Junior Grand Warden, pro. tem.
George H Taber - Grand Treasurer, pro tem.
P.G.M. William Parkman - Grand Secretary, pro tem.
Rev. A. H. Quint - Grand Chaplain
W. H. Chessman - Grand Marshall
EbenF. Gray - Grand Tyler
P.G.M.W.D. Coolidge
May 13th, 1901, the beautiful building now held by the George H. Taber Masonic Building Association was accepted as a gift from Brother Henry H. Rogers, of New York, a native of Fairhaven, and an honored member of the fraternity, holding membership in Star in the East Lodge of New Bedford, Mass., and on the same date it was voted to relinquish the name “Concordia Lodge” and be thereafter known under the title and designation of “George H. Taber Lodge”, agreeable to a condition accompanying the gift. Thorough the bountiful generosity of Brother Henry H. Rogers, the lodge is now possessed of a substantial business block situated in the centre of the town, on the upper floor of which is located their beautiful lodge room, perhaps the most beautiful in Eastern Massachusetts.
Brother Rogers’ interest in Masonry and his desire to honor his life-long friend the late Right Worshipful Brother George H. Taber, prompted him to erect a magnificent building, and to finish the upper floor as a lodge room and home for the benefit and comfort of the brethren of Fairhaven and vicinity.
June 18th, 1901, the lodge room in the new building was dedicated to “Free Masonry, Virtue, and Benevolence” by the Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, of which Most Worshipful Charles T. Gallagher was Grand Master, and Right Worshipful Sereno D. Nickerson was Recording Grand Secretary.
It was the first time in the history of Freemasonry in Massachusetts and perhaps in the world that a lodge had been named after a living person. George H. Taber passed away on December 12th of that same year.
A banquet was served in the town hall after the dedication at which there were about two hundred and fifty persons seated.
The architect of the building was Henry V. Bisbee who has since become a Mason and a member of this lodge, and Bro. C. O. Brightman was the contractor.
The building is held by a corporation for the lodge, under the title of “The George H. Taber Masonic Building Association” of which every member of the lodge is a member and a charter was granted to the corporation June 5th, 1901, for the purpose of associating and accommodating a society of “Freemasons” heretofore known as “Concordia” Lodge and hereafter to be known as George H Taber lodge, A. F. and A. M., located in the town of Fairhaven, Mass., and for the purpose of assisting said society from the funds of said corporation in the maintenance of its association and its voluntary acts of benevolence and charity among its members.
This first officers of this Association were:
Right Worshipful Brother George H. Taber - President
Worshipful Brother James L. Gillingham - Vice-President
Worshipful Brother George B. Luther - Treasurer
Worshipful Brother George D. Hammond - Secretary
The Fiftieth Anniversary was celebrated on December 10, 11, 12, 1922 beginning with a special communication opened in the Lodge Room Sunday, December 10, at 3:15 P.M. then the members marched to the Unitarian Memorial Church in regular formation where they listened to a very interesting sermon delivered by the Pastor Rev. Bro. William H. Parker, his subject being “The Divine Secrets.”
The Annual Communication, December 11, was held in the Lodge Room with 139 members present and the Secretary reported a total membership of 393 all of whom had paid their dues in full.
A Special Communication was held in the Lodge Room, Tuesday, December 12, 1922 with Worshipful Joseph Sutcliffe, Jr. presiding and later all proceeded to the Town Hall where the concluding ceremonies of the Anniversary Program were held with a banquet and entertainment.
The three living Charter Members, Worshipful Elbridge G. Paull, Brother Charles H. Morton, and Bro. Elisha S. Whiting, were unable to be present but were remembered by a standing silent tribute of love and esteem.
The most Worshipful Arthur D. Prince, Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, Right Worshipful Dudley H. Ferrell, Deputy Grand Master, and Worshipful John V. Thorpe, Past Master of King Philip Lodge of Fall River addressed the brethren, and the history of the Lodge was read by Brother Frederick A. Keith, Secretary.
Worshipful Brother William H. Bly died October 29, 1924 while serving as Master.
Brother Frederick A. Keith died May 29th, 1929 while in office having served faithfully and efficiently as Secretary for 36 years and Brother David N. Kelley died May 15th, 1942 while Treasurer, an office he had conscientiously filled for 44 years, a service which was recognized by a testimonial banquet served in the Town hall May 9th, 1940. Later on December 18th, 1947 Brother Harold F. Adshead presented to the lodge a beautiful framed portrait of Brother Kelley to be hung in the Lodge Room. It was presented in behalf of his son David L. Kelley and his grandson F. Standish Kelley.
In 1927 the Lodge was changed from the 30th Masonic District to the 31st, and the annual meeting changed from the 2nd Monday in December to the 2nd Monday in September.
In 1029 Worshipful Brother Charles E. P. Thompson was appointed District Deputy Grand Master of the 31st District.
In 1937 the elevator fund was started with many generous donations and this proposed improvement will become a reality when sufficient funds are available and conditions satisfactory.
Also during this year Right Worshipful Brother Thompson became Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts and in 1938 Most Worshipful Earl W. Taylor, Grand Master, visited George H. Taber Lodge and presented Right Worshipful Brother Thompson a Henry Price Medal.
In 1939 the Lodge was changed back to the 30th District from the 31st.
In 1945 Worshipful Colby H. Benson was appointed District Deputy Grand Master for the 30th District and a testimonial dinner was tendered him in February, and in May, Organist Brother John Hindle was shown the evidence of good fellowship and appreciation of his 18 years of faithful service in dispensing harmony in the Lodge by testimonial dinner.
The Seventy-Fifth Anniversary celebration began on Sunday, December 7th, 1947 by a Service of Worship at the Unitarian Memorial Church. The Lodge was opened in the Temple at 3:15 P.M. with Worshipful Cuthbert W. Tunstall, Master presiding. Then the members proceeded to the Church in regular formation where the service was opened by the Pastor Rev. Horace Westwood and the address given by Brother Rev. R. Eugene Gilmore whose subject was “Our Patron, Saint John the Baptist”.
A Special Communication was held in the Lodge Room on Thursday, December 18th, 1947 at 5:15 P.M. with Worshipful Cuthbert W. Tunshall presiding. Most Worshipful Samuel Holmes Wragg, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts was cordially received and then the members and guests proceeded to the Town Hall for the Anniversary Banquet which was served at 6:30 P.M. The speakers of the evening were Most Worshipful Samuel H. Wragg, Right Worshipful George D. Robertson, Senior Grand Warden; Right Worshipful Roger Keith, Past Deputy Grand Master; Right Worshipful Charles E. P. Thompson, Past Junior Grand Warden; and Right Worshipful L. Theodore Woolfenden, District Grande Master of the New Bedford 30th District; and Right Worshipful Benjamin Barnes, District Deputy Grand Master of the Fall River 30th Masonic District. The history was read by Worshipful Ellsworth M. Burgess.
On October 4th, 1948, Worshipful Carl V. Doberck presented to Brother Charles P. Thatcher a beautiful Masonic ring in behalf of the Lodge in appreciation of his 25 years of faithful service as tyler. The next year an amendment to the By-Laws of the Lodge made all Past Masters Life Members when their terms expired.
On April 15, 1951, Right Worshipful Charles E. P. Thompson gave the Lodge a framed reproduction of the Testimonial presented to Right Worshipful George B. Luther at his home as a tribute to his 50th anniversary as a Past Master. The Testimonial was hung in the ante-room and a framed portrait of Worshipful Brother Luther was hung in the Lodge Room on April 14th, 1952.
February 16th, 1953 was the date of the testimonial dinner in the Town Hall in honor of Right Worshipful Cuthbert W. Tunstall on his appointment of District Deputy Grand Master of the New Bedford Thirtieth Masonic District. Right Worshipful Charles E. P. Thompson presented Right Worshipful Tunstall with a Past District Deputy Jewel in behalf of the members of the Lodge.
November 15th, 1954 an oil painting of our deceased Brother John Hindle, painted and presented by Mrs. Charlotte Wlodyka, wife of Worshipful Edward J. Wlodyka, was dedicated by Right Worshipful Cuthbert W. Tunstall. Brother Hindle served the Lodge as Organist for many years and was loved by everyone.
Right Worshipful Charles E. P. Thompson was commended by the Grand Lodge on March 15th, 1955 for George H. Taber Lodge being one Lodge with 40 years of continuous attendance at Grand Lodge Communications and succeeding Officers and proxy have kept that record intact. May 28th, 1956 a letter was read from Brother George J. Dogde informing the members that he did all the wood carving in the Lodge Room as selected by Brother Henry H. Rogers.
An impressive Masonic funeral service was held in the Unitarian Memorial Church for Right Worshipful Charles E. P. Thompson on August 2nd, 1956. Right Worshipful Thompson died on July 29th, that year. The services were attended by many prominent Masons, other citizens and veterans. The next month Right Worshipful Colby H. Benson was directed to obtain a suitable portrait of Right Worshipful Thompson to be framed and hung in the Lodge Room.
October 21st, 1957 Worshipful Carl V. Doberck was presented the Joseph Warren medal for his devoted service to Masonry. On February 9th, 1959 it was voted to transfer $1,200.00 to the George H. Taber Masonic Building Association to purchase from the National Bank of Fairhaven the lot due west of the building. Later that same year, on October 12th, it was voted to transfer another $1,200.00 to the Association to repair the west wall of the building.
For the first time to our knowledge a regular communication could not be held because of the hurricane Donna on September 21st, 1960, and under dispensation from the Most Worshipful Grand Master it was postponed until September 26th, 1960 at 6:00 P.M.
On June 11th, 1963 at 5:15 P.M., a testimonial dinner was held in Babbitt Hall of the Congregational Church honoring Worshipful Frederick W. Reynolds for his faithful services as Secretary for 34 years. He was given a beautiful framed testimonial by Worshipful Walter J. Zych, while Right Worshipful Fred S. Wordell presented him the Joseph Warren Medal in behalf of the Grand Lodge for Distinguished Service: It is interesting to note that Worshipful Frederick W. Reynolds, who was raised in George H. Taber Lodge October 27h, 1919, was as active in the 50th, 75th and 100th Anniversaries of the Lodge.
On May 17th, 1968 Worshipful Colby H. Benson, Jr. gave a resume of the Masonic activities of Worshipful Alvin L. K. Tunstall and presented the Lodge with a framed portrait of him in behalf of Brother F. Eben Brown. Worshipful Brother Tunstall is the first member in Fairhaven to be elevated to the 33rd Degree.
On the hundredth Anniversary of George H. Taber Lodge was recognized with reverence and respect, those members living and departed who by their regular and upright conduct, their skill and loyalty created and maintained so successfully this organization, in hope that it will continue to prosper and be a respected and uplifting part of our community ever bearing in remembrance:
There’s a world where all are equal; we are journeying toward it fast.
We shall meet upon the level there when the gates of death are past.
We shall stand before the orient, and our Master will be there
To try the blocks we offer with his own unerring square.
We shall meet upon the level there, but never thence depart,
There’s a Mansion – ‘tis all ready for each faithful, trusting heart,
There’s a Mansion and a welcome, and a multitude is there
Who have met upon the level and been tried upon the square.
History compiled by Worshipful Frederick W. Reynolds and Brother Earle D. Wilson.
