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A Brief History of Waldo Lodge No. 10 F. & A.M.
(Free and Accepted Masons)
First: What is Masonry? By decree of the Most Worshipful Grand lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Florida “… proclaims and publish that Freemasonry is a non-sectarian religious organization, an educational organization and a charitable organization founded upon, possessed of and adhering to all those principles, precepts, tenets and beliefs that characterize and distinguish such organizations. “ As with any fraternity there are some secrets that are not available to non members but they do not conflict with any civil, moral or religious duties or privileges, be they what they may”. The ceremonies and three degrees (Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason) are based on the building of King Solomon’s Temple as found in the readings of the Holy Bible. Only those believing in God are allowed membership. Masons are taught brotherly love, charity, and the support of widows and orphans along with patriotism and loyalty to and love of country.
Waldo lodge No. 10 Free and Accepted Masons was granted its charter by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Florida on January 9, 1866. It is one of the oldest Masonic Lodges in Florida. The first Worshipful Master of Waldo Lodge was General Elias Earle, for whom the community of Earleton was named. General Earle was also Adjutant General to the then Governor of Florida David Shelby Walker.
From its inception Waldo Lodge had difficulties locating a meeting place. In fact, in 1876 its members decided to turn their charter in, thus ceasing to exist as a Masonic Lodge, primarily because they had such difficulties finding a place to hold their meetings. However their fortunes changed and subsequently they were able to find a place to hold their meetings in the Williams Brothers Mercantile Store, soon thereafter in the upper story of the old Scales Store Building (which is now the empty lot of the Waldo Hardware Store), and eventually in the upper story of the Bank of Waldo (later Schenck’s Hardware Store).
In 1966 Waldo Lodge No.10 celebrated its 100th year of progress with the laying the cornerstone for and meeting in the new Masonic Temple on Seydel Street (now NE 142 Street). The plans for the construction of this building had begun in 1955 when the Masons and the Eastern Star still held their meetings in the upper rooms of the vacant bank building. The building project was paid for with donations and primarily from money raised by having fish fries. Today, 159 years after being chartered, Waldo lodge No. 10 is very active and an integral part of the Waldo community.
Famous Freemasons can be found throughout history: George Washington was a Master Mason, and Benjamin Franklin was a founding member of the first Masonic Lodge in America. Twenty one signers of the Declaration of Independence were Masons. Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Gerald Ford were Masons, as was Prime Minister of Great Britain Winston Churchill. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Davy Crockett, Henry Ford and astronaut Buzz Aldrin were also Freemasons.
During the years Waldo Lodge no.10 has counted among its members many community and religious leaders and business men. Some of the names you might recognize are Desha, Seigler, Schenck, Miley, Drew, Kennard, Gunter, Griffin, Donaldson, and others too many to mention.
One of the primary objectives of any Masonic Lodge is to raise money in order that we might make contributions to charitable organizations. In the past, we have supported Little League teams, “ Adopt - a - Teacher “ or “ Adopt – a School “ in which we make a monetary donation to a particular program in a school or to the school, etc.
All Master Masons are cordially invited to our monthly meeting on the 1st Tuesday of each month.
We generally have a meal and fellowship at 6:30 PM and the meeting begins at 7:30 PM.
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