The Beginning of Texas Freemasonry
Every May a pilgrimage is made by Texas Masons to the Masonic Oak where a ceremony is held in commemoration of such a special place. The reason for such a ceremony is evident in the following remarks made by our first Grand Master, Anson Jones, before the Grand Lodge of Texas on June 4, 1850:
“In the winter of 1834-35, five Master Masons, who had made themselves known to each other, consulted among themselves, and after various interviews and much deliberation, resolved to take measures to establish a Lodge of their Order in Texas. This resolution was not formed without a full appreciation of its consequences to the individuals concerned. Every movement in Texas was watched, at that time, with jealously and distrust by the Mexican government.”
“The dangers…were neither few nor unimportant. But zeal for a beloved institution; a belief that it would be beneficial at a period when society seemed especially to need some fraternal bonds to unite them together, predominated; all fears of personal consequences were thrown aside, and the resolution to establish a lodge was adopted. The five brethren…appointed a time and place of meeting to concert measures to carry their resolution into effect. In the meantime, another Master Mason came into their plans, Brother J.P. Caldwell …the spot was secluded, and out of the way of cowans and eaves-droppers, and they felt they were alone…it was concluded to apply to the Grand Lodge of Louisiana for a dispensation to form and open a Lodge, to be called Holland Lodge.”
The Grand Lodge of Texas was located in Houston prior to moving to Waco in 1903. Since 1949, Texas Masons have called the stately Memorial Grand Lodge Temple their home.
Photo of The Grand Lodge of Texas Entrance in Waco
The first attempt to create a Masonic Lodge came in 1828 when Texas was ruled by Mexico. On February 11, 1828, Stephen F. Austin called a meeting of Freemasons for the purpose of petitioning the York Grand Lodge of Mexico asking for dispensation to form a Masonic Lodge at San Felipe de Austin. The Lodge was to be known as “Lodge Union”. Their petition reached Matamoros, and was to be forwarded to the Grand Lodge in Mexico City. It is unknown if the petition was received by the Grand Lodge, nothing more was heard of it. By 1828, the Mexican government was afraid that the liberal elements in Texas might try to gain their independence. Fully aware of the political philosophies of American Freemasons, the Mexican government outlawed Freemasonry on October 25, 1828.
In March 1835, with the threat of war for Texas independence looming, six Freemasons decided it was time to establish a Masonic Lodge in Texas. On March 10, 1835, Brothers Anson Jones, John A. Wharton, Asa Brigham, James A.E. Phelps, Alex Russell and J.P. Caldwell met in seclusion under an oak tree near present day Brazoria. Despite retribution from Mexican authorities, these men resolved to petition the Grand Lodge of Louisiana for dispensation to form a new Lodge of Freemasons to be called Holland Lodge. The dispensation was granted and Holland Lodge No. 36 (now Holland Lodge No. 1), conducted its first meeting on December 27, 1835 with Brother Anson Jones as Worshipful Master. John H. Holland Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Louisiana granted Holland Lodges official charter on January 27, 1836.
The Charter for Holland Lodge No. 36 was given to Mr. John M. Allen, originally of Louisiana Lodge No. 32 to carry to Texas. Mr. Allen had been recruiting volunteers for the Texas Army in New Orleans and eventually delivered the charter to Brother Anson Jones just before the battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836. The Charter remained in Brother Jones saddlebags throughout the battle. Brother Jones was a medical doctor attached to the Medical Staff at San Jacinto under General Sam Houston.
After Texas won its independence, two other Lodges were chartered by Grand Master Holland. On September 22, 1837, he issued charters for Milam Lodge No. 40 at Nacogdoches and McFarland Lodge No. 41 at San Augustine. On December 20th, 1837 these three Lodges created the Grand Lodge of the Republic of Texas with Most Worshipful Anson Jones as the first Grand Master of Masons in Texas. Brother Jones served as the fourth and final President of The Republic of Texas from 1844 until annexation into the United States in 1846.
Special efforts have been made to preserve the Brazoria Oak, the birthplace of Texas Masonry. Known by Texas Masons as the “Masonic Oak” the 400 year old oak has survived at least two lighting strikes and several hurricanes. The Grand Lodge of Texas purchased approximately ten acres of land, including the land on which the live oak is located and created the Masonic Oak Park and Pavilion.