THE LEGEND OF THE QUATUOR CORONATI

The Quatuor were originally four Craftsmen by name Claudius, Castorius, Simphorianus, and Nicostratus, “mirificos in arte quadrataria,” which though it is translated the “art of carving,” is literally “the stone-squarer’s art,” or the art of stone-squaring. They are distinctly called “artifices,” artificers, although as the legend shows us, to the four artificers are joined four milites; whilst one Simplicius, converted to Christianity by the four during the progress of events narrated by the legend, is added to the stone-squarers, making nine in all. They are declared to be Christians, “occulte,” secretly. Diocletian ordered an image of Æsculapius to be made, and after a contest and dialogue with “quinque Philosophi” Simphorianus, who appears to be the leader and spokesman, adds Simplicius to the number—now five—and refuses, on their behalf and with their consent, to make the image. They are brought before Lampadius the Tribune, who after reference to Diocletian orders them to be stripped and beaten with scorpions, “scorpionibus mactari,” and then, by Diocletian’s order; they were place in “loculi plumbei,” leaden coffins, and cast into the Tiber.

The Arundel Legend is taken from a fine MS. of the 12th century, in the British Museum. Its proper reference is Ar: MSS., 91, f. 2186. There is another copy of the legend in the British Museum, Harleian MSS., No. 2802, f 99. There is also a short notice of the Quatuor Coronati in Regius MS., 8, c, 7 f 165, of the 14th century. [p. 78-9.]

THE EARLY YEARS OF PORTER LODGE
Excerpted from the manuscript entitled History of Porter Lodge
By John F. Taylor, P.M., Past Grand Chaplain

In May of 1842, somewhere in Washington Township, at the home of Adam S. Campbell, several men met informally co discuss the possibility of forming a Masonic Lodge in Porter County, Indiana.
This meeting was attended by Arthur Buell, Jonathon Griffin, Adam S. Campbell, William K. Talbot, John E. Harris , and James Luther.
Porter County itself was just over six years old, having been established, as such, by ace of the Indiana Legislature in January of 1836.
On May 23, 1842 the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the care of Indiana granted dispensation for a lodge to be called Porter Lodge U.D with John E. Harris as Worshipful Master, Adam S. Campbell as Senior Warden, James Luther as Treasurer and Secretary William K. Talbot.
One of the Brothers who was raised in Porter Lodge U.D. was George Buell, later co become the first Master of Porter Lodge No. 137.
On May 24, 1843, The Grand Lodge issued a charter and Potter Lodge U.D. became Masons Lodge No.49, even though it was reported to the Grand Lodge that the lodge, while under dispensation, was somewhat informal and irregular in several matters.
The Grand Master appointed Abner Bailey from LaPorte as a special agent (Deputy) to help improve the work and report back to the Grand Lodge.
Brother Bailey had presided over all of the "Working Tools" to the Lodge U.D. but was later to recommend to the Grand Lodge that Mason's Lodge No. 49 charter be revoked.
Masons Lodge No. 49 met on the Wednesday of each month on the full moon, or if the full moon was not on Wednesday they met every Wednesday preceding (These early Brothers had to pay close attention to the moon phases to know when to go to Lodge, and they, were faithful).
All we have to remember is Tuesday night and we still forget. The original dues were 25 cents per month, but it was decided it was too much and was subsequently lowered to 12 cents per month.
Preachers could join the Masonic Fraternity and only pay assessment to the Grand Lodge. In these early days, as well as the early days of Porter Lodge, the degrees had to be worked through.
In other words, the Lodge had to open on the E.A. then to FC then to M.M. as well as back down again. Many Grand Lodges still hold to this practice, but in Indiana we are able to open on any degree.
Candidates for the degrees also had to be voted on before being passed or raised, another practice which has become obsolete in Indiana.
Masons Lodge No. 49 minutes indicate that the meeting on March 14, 1844 a committee was appointed to visit two Brothers to obtain satisfaction as to their use of "ardent spirits".
On the Wednesday of the full moon in May of 1844, the Lodge met and initiated E. D. Wolf. This was to be the last meeting of Masons Lodge as their charter was revoked in May of 1844 by an Act of the Grand Lodge.
Perhaps somewhat discouraged but not completely dismayed, our early Brothers kept in touch. One can read between the lines in the various minute books that the blame for the fall of the Masonic Lodge fell squarely on the shoulders of the Brodher from LaPotte, Abner Bailey.
Various arguments had come up at meeting and it would appear that our Porter County Brothers didn't want a Brother from LaPorte telling them what to do. (Times don't really change much do they!)
The early Brothers must have decided to "try her again" and asked the Grand Lodge for a dispensation to once again operate a Lodge.
Dispensation was granted and June 25, 1850 the Lodge we now have sprung into existence as Masons Lodge U.D. The first officers were: WM. George Buell, S.W. Isaak Bowen, J.W. George Saylor.
The officers remained the same, and (apparently behaving themselves) were granted a charter dated May 27, 1852, to operate as Porter Lodge No. 137 F. &A.M. York Rite Masons.

John F. Taylor, P.M. Past Grand Chaplain

It was on April 2, 1948, that Gary Lodge No. 677, Roosevelt Lodge No. 716, and the Gary Masonic Temple Association met to discuss the formation of a third Masonic Lodge in Gary, destined later to be located in the Glen Park neighborhood.

On April 5 and 6, 1948, Gary Lodge and Roosevelt Lodge bodies, meeting in separate sessions, approved a resolution for the formation of the new Lodge. On November 8, 1948, the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the State of Indiana, Carl L. Hibberd, issued a dispensation authorizing the establishment of Glen Park Lodge U.D. (Under Dispensation). This new Lodge was to meet in the Red Room of the Gary Masonic Temple at 6th and Madison Street, and because its members were to be from the Glen Park area of Gary, it was so named.

On November 15, 1948 Glen Park Lodge U.D. began its work, with 28 Charter members. Memberships in the new Lodge were to come from the sojourners in the area, together with petitions for transfers and demits from other Lodges. At the first stated meeting held on December 6, 1948, there were a total of seven petitions for the degrees of Masonry and 21 petitions for affiliation through transfers or demits.

The first corps of officers of Glen Park Lodge No. 732 were installed on February 2, 1949, with Brother Russell H. Huffington as Worshipful Master. The first Mason to be raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason was Robert S. Miles on February 21, 1949.

Glen Park Lodge continued to meet at the Red Room of the Gary Temple and soon after their formation started planning for a Lodge building of their own.

With the close of the period of Dispensation, an application for Charter for Glen Park Lodge U.D. was forwarded to the Grand Secretary, Most Worshipful Brother Dwight L. Smith, (PGM 1945-1946). On May 17, 1949, the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Indiana granted the Charter, and Glen Park Lodge No. 732, at Gary, Lake County, Indiana was born.

On the occasion of the Stated Meeting on January 3, 1950, Worshipful Brother Emereth Boyden, as Master, appointed a Committee to proceed with planning the raising of funds for construction of a Temple in Glen Park, and at that meeting Brothers Roy Montz and John Novotny made the initial contributions for this building, in the amounts of $25.00 each. It is of interest to note that Mrs. Emereth Boyden, wife of the Master, devoted her handiwork to the making of the aprons used in Glen Park Lodge for its earlier years.

On October 2, 1951, a set of sketches was presented, and this served as a goal for the lodge brothers. In 1959, a building site was purchased at 53rd and Harrison and Glen Park Lodge, which now had more than 400 members, began in earnest to raise funds for their new Temple.

In January 1952, Worshipful Brother, J. Edward Burton, announced that all brethren who desired to make contributions toward the new Temple fund that might do so, and this statement was repeated annually by ensuing

Masters over a number of years, with the fund growing slowly during this period.

On June 3, 1958, Worshipful Brother Owen Schoon, announced the intention to purchase a number of lots situated at the Northeast corner of the intersection of Harrison Street and 53rd Avenue. After discussion of the proposal it was approved and the site for the Temple was now a reality!

In January of 1960, at a special meeting of the membership called for this purpose, there was voted an assessment of $100.00 per member to raise funds toward the Temple construction. This was followed by a voluntary program for the purchase of non-interest bearing building “Shares” of Stock, at a value of $1.00, to be redeemable in the future at the discretion of the Lodge.

The 20-year mortgage loan secured by the Brethren of Glen Park Lodge was eventually retired seven years ahead of schedule, partly because of the various successful projects and fellowship events such as: smorgasbords, pancake breakfasts, and the ongoing paper drive.

In October 1967, bids were accepted for construction of a new Temple. Construction began and on September 17, 1968, on authority of Dr. Robert M. Seibel, Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons of the State of Indiana, the Charter of Glen Park Lodge No. 732 F.&A.M. came “home” to the new Masonic Temple.

On October 1, 1968, with attending members and officers seated on folding chairs, with a borrowed altar, and a bare concrete floor in the Hall, our first meeting was held in this building, and due gratitude was expressed to the Grand Architect of the Universe for His courage and guidance in our endeavors to that point.

On October 15, 1968, the first Entered Apprentice degree was conferred in the new Temple with Brother Alexander R. Taylor the candidate.

On October 22, 1968, Brother Fredrick C. Goodson was raised as the first Master Mason elevated to the Sublime Degree in our new home.

The following excerpt from the Formal Dedication of the Temple of Glen Park Lodge No. 732 on November 23, 1968, best describes the attitudes and beliefs, which motivated our predecessors in the construction of that beautiful structure:

“To all who have borne the title of Worshipful Master of Glen Park Lodge, and to all the Officers of the Line and Building Committees, and the membership of the Lodge, and every Brother, be he a member or visitor whose presence graced our halls on any occasion during the past twenty years! To these and the fact that their presence among us bore testimonial to their Faith in all our planning, our hopes and our dreams, we freely give the credit for this accomplishment!

“Pause not to ponder ‘credits’ – but hasten on – to challenge youth and men of the future, that they may find like faith, like courage, and even greater determination that this structure may be put to its proper use – implanting in the minds of men the beauties of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth! The work of the Craftsmen is no o’er – and our commission still lives – Build ye MEN in the mould of the MASTER, for it is this which is our greatest cause!”

The Mortgage Burning Ceremony was held on November 17, 1981, with Worshipful Brother Clay E. Langan leading the program with light refreshments in the Social Hall afterwards. The Lodge Trustees included five Past Masters: Herbert E. Levy, Samuel E. Gray, Richard W. Wierzba, George Nahod, Jr., and William N. Emerson.

For the next 30 years the Temple served as a meeting place for several groups with Masonic affiliation including White Shrine, Eastern Star, Demolay, and Job’s Daughters.

However, in 1998, it became apparent the social and economic changes in the area and the relocation of many of its members, that the Temple could no longer serve as a proper meeting place and the building was sold.

Now, through the Masonic kindness of Porter Lodge No. 137, Glen Park Lodge No. 732 holds their meetings in Valparaiso and is again planning the raising of a new Temple. Visit Glen Park Lodge No. 732 website here - Glen Park Lodge No. 732 (glenpark732.com)