the first stone

August 25, 2024 marks the 120th anniversary of a historic New York Masonic Building, when the cornerstone of the Jephtha Masonic Temple was put in place and construction began in Huntington.

Over 300 people were in attendance to witness R:.W:. William Swan of Matinecock Lodge No. 806 conduct the ceremony as acting Grand Master of New York, by dispensation of the sitting Grand Master M:.W:. Frank A. Robinson. Over 80 Freemasons from Northport, Oyster Bay and other Long Island townships shared in the celebrations with the 44-year-old Jephtha Lodge. Its planning was so efficient that it holds a unique position of being a Masonic building to receive steady income from outside sources for over a century, and remains one of the most active lodges in New York State.

Cushing Barn, 1892. Now the present location of Jephtha Masonic Temple, Huntington, NY

The Cornerstone Ceremony

The Masonic Building was designed by architect John F. Hurd and constructed by builders Bunce & Holmes. Some of Hurd’s other works remain nearby, including the Bank of Huntington (now Bank of America) on East Main Street. The Lodge Building Committee composed of Emmet B. Hawkins, Edward Holmes, Allison E. Lowndes, Albert S. Pettit and A.G. Gildersleeve were assisted by S.E. Grant of Brooklyn in their tireless efforts of planning a major construction project. Published in the May 23, 1905 edition of the Brooklyn Times as “Brother Grant’s Hobby,” Grant was credited for aiding in the plans, raising money, providing for the building, cornerstone contents, removal of the old buildings and assistance in a fundraising fair.

The Cornerstone was laid with the ancient custom of Freemasonry on Thursday, August 25, 1904.  The acting Grand Master gave a short address in which he expressed pleasure with doing the work of the afternoon and congratulated the members of Jephtha on erecting so fine a building. He said, “Masonry stands for something, in that its tenets instruct for a larger manhood and the development of the best powers and faculties in the life of its disciples. I hope that Jephtha would live many years to enjoy it, and that the influence that would emanate from the building and from the lodge would be only for good.” Swan also declared that he felt at home in Jephtha Lodge, having been acquainted with the lodge for 35 years.

A cornerstone is the first stone laid when building a foundation in masonry. The tradition of laying a cornerstone originated from the practice of the operative stonemasons. In the Masonic cornerstone ceremony, the stone is checked, using the square, plumb and level, ancient tools of operative masons. The cornerstone is then consecrated with corn (or grain), wine and oil, symbols of prosperity, health, and peace in Freemasonry. The stone is then symbolically tapped in place with a gavel, concluding the ceremony.

The Jephtha white marble cornerstone was set in the northwest corner of the building. A copper box was placed on top of the stone and cemented in a small iron safe, the first safe Jephtha Lodge ever owned dating to the early 1860s. The acting Grand Master placed the stone after which acting Senior Grand Warden Charles H Walters the level, acting Junior Grand Warden Alvah M. Bayles the plumb, and then anointed the stone with the corn, wine and oil.

Traditionally, cornerstones for Masonic Temples are placed in the northeast section of the building. The Jephtha Masonic Temple front entrance, however, faces west, as does the Worshipful Master’s station in the lodge room. Because of this “reverse” design, the lodge chose to display the cornerstone in the northwest corner in the front of the building rather than hide it in the rear.

Among the articles deposited were a gold tablet containing the ten commandments; a souvenir of the 250th anniversary of the Town of Huntington held in 1903; a copy of the financial record of the Town of Huntington; an alumni record of Huntington Union School; a copy of the resolution adopted by the lodge when President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated; copies of the Suffolk Bullentin, Long Islander, New York City and Brooklyn newspapers; a list of Jephtha members; history of the organization of Jephtha’s Daughters Chapter No. 187 Order of the Eastern Star; a list of building committees, contractors and sub-contractors doing the work; cards of 75 local businessmen; lasting impression of Thomas Edison’s phonograph; copy of the recent disaster of the sidewheel passenger steamboat General Slouom in the East River; a copy of George Washington’s letter as a Master Mason; and a number of coins, including currency from Havana, Cuba.

After The  Ceremony

White House Conservatory in 1889. Brother Theodore Roosevelt selected a Norfolk Island Pine from this greenhouse as a fundraising gift to Jephtha in 1904. The Conservatory was demolished for construction of the West Wing during the Roosevelt Administration.

The  Legacy

For the past 120 years, Jephtha Lodge has witnessed turbulent times and hardships, but the brothers have faced the challenges with focused dedication and strengthened the bond in the fraternity. Jephtha events since 1904 include a personal presentation from Brother Theodore Roosevelt to view his African safari trophies; invite Brother Franklin D. Roosevelt to deliver a speech at their 1467th Communication; maintain a Masonic Service Center during World War II and entertain 6447 service men over a 4-year period and reached a peak membership of almost 700 Brothers in the 1960’s.

Jephtha’s Masonic ancestors instilled a custom that no brother or potential candidate enters its historic building without feeling unwelcome. Brothers from around New York state and elsewhere have heard of the hospitality of Jephtha Lodge, and always leave the building sharing their positive experiences. This custom of hospitality and brotherhood began at its first meeting in 1860 and continued to their new building in 1905 and into the 21st Century.