Health & Fitness
Wilmette Park Freemasons Lodge Celebrates Its Annual Installation of Officers
Wilmette Park Lodge #931 dates back to 1908, and in 2012, this Lodge was awarded the Grand Master's Award of Excellence.
On Sunday November 4th, the Wilmette Park Masonic Lodge #931 celebrated its annual installation of officers. The lodge is one of the oldest in Northern Illinois and has a rich history of serving the community and philanthropic endeavors. In 2012, the WIlmette Park Lodge #931 was awarded the Grand Master's Award of Excellence for its work in the community.
Wilmette Park Masonic Lodge was created through a series of mergers of Masonic lodges on Chicago's North Shore, including lodges in Wilmette, Evanston and Winnetka.
Wilmette Lodge began when a number of Masons from Wilmette gathered in the home of Charles Coxe on Jan. 9, 1908 to consider starting a Masonic lodge in the village. The group secured the necessary number of Masons and with the assistance of neighboring lodges petitioned the Grand Lodge of Illinois for recognition.
Recognition was granted under dispensation on Oct. 8, 1910 with George Hess as master. Ninety-seven names appeared on the petition and an additional 64 new members were added by the time a charter was granted on Oct. 11, 1911.
The lodge originally met in the Jones Building on Green Bay Road. It later moved to the Brown Building at 1159 Wilmette Ave.; however, the growing lodge made it necessary to build a new home.
The Wilmette Masonic Temple was dedicated November 5, 1926.
The Wilmette Masonic Temple was designed by noted architect Arthur Howell Knox (1880-1973). Knox was a graduate of Northwestern University and the Armour Institute (now IIT). Along with the Wilmette Masonic Temple, he designed the Lawndale Masonic Temple and the South Chicago Masonic Temple in 1914.
Wilmette Park Lodge participates in a number of community and philanthropic activities. Illinois Masonry operates the Masonic Homes in La Grange and Murphysboro. Its member brothers are active participates in many Masonic organizations.
Today, the newly remodeled historic lodge located 1010 Central avenue in Wilmette is available for rental, for dances, parties and community celebrations. For more information contact wp931secy@comcast.net, or call 847-251-3500.
