Our History

THE SEED GROWS 

The first meeting of the proposed Samuel Gompers Lodge was held at the home of Harry Coleman, 1321 7th St., N.W., on February 24, 1925. John F. Kimmerling, Past Master of National Lodge No. 12 opened the meeting. Thirtyone men, all Masons in good standing, were present. This was the crystallization of the idea of memorializing Samuel Gompers by naming a new Masonic Lodge for him, and the first manifestation of a definite plan after weeks of consideration and discussion, of investigating and examining the rules and requirements, of decisions and plans. The chair was turned over to Henry J. Gompers, who was acting chairman, while Louis Rosenberg was acting Secretary. It was determined by motion to form a new Masonic Lodge and to name it the Samuel Gompers Lodge. The following were nominated and elected as the officers: Master, Henry J. Gompers; Sr. Warden, William P. Jacobs; Jr. Warden, Maurice Blum; Secretary, Louis Rosenberg; Treasurer, Frank Foer; Sr. Deacon, Samuel J. Feldman; Jr. Deacon, A. Kenneth Armstrong; Sr. Steward, Joseph Schrot; Jr. Steward, Isadore A. Peake; Master of Ceremonies, Harry Lewis; Trustees, Joseph A. Wilner, Jacque Heidenheimer and Clay A. Armstrong. Two weeks later, on March 10, 1925, the second meeting of the proposed Lodge was held at the Gavel Club, 719 9th St., N.W. At this time it was announced that new rules had been promulgated by the Grand Lodge which required the officers of a new lodge to be able to confer all three degrees before a dispensation could be granted. P.M. Albert A. Haas of Columbia Lodge No. 3, P.M. Marquis T. Albertson of Hiram No. 10 and Gail T. Judd, an officer of National Lodge No. 12, were assigned official instructors for the officers by the Grand Lodge; Christian Hansen, of Albert Pike Lodge No. 36, also assisted. At this meeting it was decided that the fee for Degrees would be $60, the annual dues would be $6, and the regular meetings would be held on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month. At the 3rd meeting, held at the Gavel Club, March 24, Wm. P. Jacobs resigned as Sr. Warden and Joseph Schrot resigned as Sr. Steward. their places were filled by advancing the other officers and by the appointment of Louis J. Raebach and Louis Goldberg as Sr. Steward and Jr. Steward, respectively. The 4th meeting, on April 13 and the 5th on April 27, were both held at the Gavel Club, and both consisted mainly of discussion of reports and strengthening of plans. At the 1st meeting members of the proposed Lodge pledged $1,100 for Temple Heights, and at the 2nd meeting it was announced that the officers would appear before the Grand Lodge Committee on Work and Lectures on April 29 for their final examination of proficiency. It was also determined that the meetings should be held the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month. 

{For the full and complete history of this lodge download the 75th Anniversary Book below.} 

THE MEMORABLE NIGHT: CHARTER

The culmination of 10 months of tense labor of learning, practicing, rehearsing and applying, arrived on the night of Tuesday, January 26, 1926, when Samuel Gompers Lodge, No. 45, held its first meeting as a duly constituted Lodge. For the occasion, the large Lodge room, number one, was borrowed, and the room was filled to overflowing. Grand Master Sydney R. Jacobs, accompanied by all of the officers of the Grand Lodge, three Past Grand Masters, seven Past Masters, and the entire Masters Association, in a body, were present. The Charter was read by Grand Secretary J. Claude Keiper, and the officers of the Lodge were installed by the Grand Master. Worshipful Master Judd presented the Lodge with a set of Jewels on behalf of National Lodge, No. 12. P.M. Haas presented the Seal to the Lodge. On behalf of Mrs. Henry Gompers and the Gompers family, Samuel J. Gompers presented a set of Working Tools. P.M. Babcock presented a 24-inch gauge on behalf of Theodore Roosevelt Lodge, No. 44. P.G.M. Roe Fulkerson presented the Lodge with a case for the Charter and the Masters Association presented the Master with a basket of flowers. 

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN LODGE #50 

Some would call this a merger, but it is more like a marriage because love and friendship (in this case Masonic brotherly love) has joined our two lodges, Benjamin Franklin #50 and Samuel Gompers #45. This merger of two giants into one was the transition which soon led other Masonic lodges into joint ventures. The history of the youngster, Ben Franklin, was auspicious. Born in 1937 at a meeting attended by a number of brethren of St. John’s Lodge #11 and led by Judge Joseph Fromberg, a prominent local jurist, this embryonic lodge grew into one of the most active lodges in the jurisdiction, boasting over 900 members. The formative years bustled with the excitement generated by many applications, degrees and social and charitable functions. By the early ’40’s with America’s entrance into World War II, Benjamin Franklin Lodge #50 took a most active part in buying, promoting and selling war bonds for Uncle Sam. Much pride was exhibited when this young lodge with its group of most active officers and members inaugurated a blood bank with a register of blood types in conjunction with Children’s Hospital. This life saving venture became the prototype of other lodge’s blood banks. Soon after, the Grand Lodge created the Grand Lodge Blood Bank of this jurisdiction. 

{For the full and complete history of this lodge download the 75th Anniversary Book below.}