It's not an everyday occurrence when an organization in the area turns 150 years old. Just two years ago the towns of Honea Path and Belton celebrated the sesquicentennial .But, on Sept. 1, 1857, the Centre Masonic Lodge No. 37 of Ancient Free Masons marked its 150th anniversary. Members, dignitaries and visitors marked the occasion on Sept.8 with a day filled with special events, according to sesquicentennial master Joe Robinson. The Sept. 8 morning ceremony to rededicate the lodge hall was conducted by Gerald Carver, the Grand Master of Masons in South Carolina. There were 23 Grand Lodge officers present, 31 different lodges represented, and more than 100 guests on hand including a special guest, Stephen Scull from Harmony Lodge #156 in Plymouth, United Grand Lodge of England. Everyone was treated to a barbecue lunch prior to the rededication ceremony.

    The weekend activities also included conferring the Master Mason degree on Sgt. Steve Ammer, who is on active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps. According to Robinson, Masons have always been patriots, and Freemasons have been involved in conflicts to protect freedom all over the globe. Several U.S. presidents have been Masons; the most famous of which was George Washington. "Masonry was also important to our founding fathers and many of them were active in their  lodges," said Robinson. "The only pattern that existed at that time for a government where all men were equal, religious freedom was important, and everyone had a voice in public affairs, was their Masonic lodge. No other country in existence at that time had a government that could have served as a model for this democracy."

   The objective of Masonry is to take "good men and make them better.""We promote a man being involved in the church of his choice, being true to his family obligations, respectful of civil authority, and honest and upright in his dealings with all men," Robinson said. Masonry is a worldwide fraternity, and the 43,000 masons in South Carolina join the other four million masons worldwide in contributing over one million dollars per day to fund a variety of charities, mostly to help children. The Shriner's Hospitals and The Scottish Rite Learning Centers for Children are among the best known in the U.S. Bud Hanley, the founder of Matthew's Hope Children's Ministry in Honea Path, is also a Past Master of Centre Lodge.

    Honea Path's weekend activities ended Saturday night at the annual Ladies' Night and Awards Banquet. Service awards were presented to Rodger Pruitt, Gene Bell, John Ridge, Homer Booth, Ralph Bratcher and Silas Cooley by Sam Atkins, the District Deputy Grand Master. Stephen Scull was the speaker for the evening and related some of his experiences at different lodges all over the world. "I hope 50 years from now, when the lodge is celebrating their 200th anniversary, one of my grandsons will point with pride to a copy of this week's  News-Chronicle and say "I was there with my grandfather, who was Master of the Lodge.

   "Masons come from all walks of life. A list of famous masons would include: John Wayne, Houdini, "Buzz" Aldrin, Eddy Arnold, Roy Acuff, Generals "Hap" Arnold, Omar Bradley and Douglas MacArthur, "Kit" Carson and Daniel Boone.

   In addition to George Washington, presidents Gerald Ford, James Garfield, Warren Harding, Andrew Johnson, Andrew Jackson, William McKinley, James Polk, William Taft, and both Franklin and Teddy Roosevelt were master masons. President Washington also served as Grand Master of Virginia, and Harry Truman served as

Grand Master of Missouri.

   There is a story about President Truman that while involved in  reelection campaign he learned that a member of the staff was getting a Masonic degree. President Truman left his train and, accompanied by only two agents of the Secret Service, went to the lodge meeting and instructed his lodge brothers that he wanted to be received on the level as a brother, not as a president.

   For more information about Centre Lodge or Masonry, the oldest and largest fraternal organization in the world, visit the lodge web site at www.centrelodge37.org or the web site for the Grand Lodge www.scgrandlodgeafm.org or contact Joe Robinson at 940-3475.

Article from the Belton-Honea Path News Chronicle, September 20, 2007

HONEA PATH'S CENTRE MASONIC LODGE MARKED 150 YEARS

On Saturday with special ceremonies. A number of dignitaries, including State Sen. Billy O'Dell, front center, and State Rep. Mike Gambrell, second from right on the front row, were on hand for the event, held at the meeting hall on West Greer Street. Joe Robinson, right, is the sesquicentennial master. The lodge was founded in September, 1857, two years after the town was chartered.