In 1810, St. John the Baptist Chapter, No. 30, was organized and later that body and the school authorities erected the building previous to the present building. The first building was very small and actually stood behind the present building.
School was held in this new building for several years, probably until about 1830.
A lodge of free masons was first established in New York state on Sept. 5, 1781. In 1810, a lodge was constituted in Moravia, (then Sempronius), and named “Sylvan Lodge” No. 44 and has been in active operation since that date.
A grand Royal Arch Chapter at Albany met on Feb. 5, 1811 and a chapter of Royal Arch Masons was granted to Owasco Flats, in the town of Sempronius.
The original organizers were John Newcomb, Cyrus Powers, Zenas St. John, John Murray, Able Marsh, Joseph Pierce, David St. John, Daniel Platt, Benjamin, Jessie Miller and R.N. Powers.
M.E. Kenton in a historical address delivered at a centennial celebration Dec. 25, 1811, says “why the Lodge was named Sylvan Lodge is a mystery.”
In 1812, the need for improved accommodations, a desirable place for school and a place of worship were needed. A new brick building was constructed to house a school during the week and a place of worship on Sundays.
Two years later, the building was completed and the first meeting of the Lodge took place on May 31, 1814.
About 1850, 62 years later the property passed to the Lodge alone. This building was destroyed by a fire on July 30, 1907, and construction of a new building began at once. The Lodge celebrated its 125 anniversary at which time it consisted of 197 brothers.
As Sylvan Lodge approaches their 200th anniversary in 2010, it continues to grow. Free Masonry welcomes men of every race and creed if they have sufficient integrity of character to become good masons and if they believe in a supreme being.
Masonry is established on a firm foundation, to wit: brotherly love and charity. To be a true mason, one must be, to say the least, a moral man, “he is firmly to believe in the existence of a supreme being, who will be the judge of our actions and reward us according to merit, to pay him that worship and veneration, which is due to him as the great architect of the universe.” He is to be loyal to the government, peaceable and obedient of the civil powers which yield him protection. He is to avoid all manner of intemperance or excess which obstruct his performance of the laudable duties of the order, or lead him into crimes which would reflect disarm upon the fraternity.“He is to obstain from all malice, slander and evil speaking, provoking, reproachful, or ungodly language, keeping always a tongue.” Another important requirement is that of giving to those who are needy, especially if they connected in any way with the order.
Free masonry originated in the interest for their better protection, profit and better knowledge of their trade. Characteristics of the original order of tradesmen have become unimportant and obsolete.
Arlene Murphy is town and village historian for Moravia
A lodge of free masons was first established in New York state on Sept. 5, 1781. In 1810, a lodge was constituted in Moravia, (then Sempronius), and named “Sylvan Lodge” No. 44 and has been in active operation since that date.
A grand Royal Arch Chapter at Albany met on Feb. 5, 1811 and a chapter of Royal Arch Masons was granted to Owasco Flats, in the town of Sempronius.
The original organizers were John Newcomb, Cyrus Powers, Zenas St. John, John Murray, Able Marsh, Joseph Pierce, David St. John, Daniel Platt, Benjamin, Jessie Miller and R.N. Powers.
M.E. Kenton in a historical address delivered at a centennial celebration Dec. 25, 1811, says “why the Lodge was named Sylvan Lodge is a mystery.”
In 1812, the need for improved accommodations, a desirable place for school and a place of worship were needed. A new brick building was constructed to house a school during the week and a place of worship on Sundays.
Two years later, the building was completed and the first meeting of the Lodge took place on May 31, 1814.
About 1850, 62 years later the property passed to the Lodge alone. This building was destroyed by a fire on July 30, 1907, and construction of a new building began at once. The Lodge celebrated its 125 anniversary at which time it consisted of 197 brothers.
As Sylvan Lodge approaches their 200th anniversary in 2010, it continues to grow. Free Masonry welcomes men of every race and creed if they have sufficient integrity of character to become good masons and if they believe in a supreme being.
Masonry is established on a firm foundation, to wit: brotherly love and charity. To be a true mason, one must be, to say the least, a moral man, “he is firmly to believe in the existence of a supreme being, who will be the judge of our actions and reward us according to merit, to pay him that worship and veneration, which is due to him as the great architect of the universe.” He is to be loyal to the government, peaceable and obedient of the civil powers which yield him protection. He is to avoid all manner of intemperance or excess which obstruct his performance of the laudable duties of the order, or lead him into crimes which would reflect disarm upon the fraternity.“He is to obstain from all malice, slander and evil speaking, provoking, reproachful, or ungodly language, keeping always a tongue.” Another important requirement is that of giving to those who are needy, especially if they connected in any way with the order.
Free masonry originated in the interest for their better protection, profit and better knowledge of their trade. Characteristics of the original order of tradesmen have become unimportant and obsolete.
Arlene Murphy is town and village historian for Moravia
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