Lodge Locations

BECOMING A MASON

Learn how to join one of the world’s oldest fraternities built on brotherhood, integrity, and service.

SERVING BEAUMONT

From programs to community events, Beaumont Lodge 286 is dedicated to strengthening Southeast Texas through acts of brotherly love and relief.

Community Impact

The First Meeting Place

The first meeting of Beaumont Lodge U.D. was held at Napoleon Bonaparte Bendy’s store located on the corner of what is now Cypress and Tevis Street. During the winter months of 1865-1866, several of the early settlers developed the habit of gathering at Bendy’s store on Saturday nights to discuss topics of the day. Among the group were eleven Masons, and uppermost in their minds was the idea of forming a Lodge where kindred spirits could meet. Accordingly, on Saturday December 30, 1865, this group of Brothers drew up a petition to Madison Masonic Lodge No. 126 in Orange, Texas to recommend to the Grand Master of The Grand Lodge of Texas the issuance of a dispensation to form a Masonic Lodge in Beaumont. This petition was carried, on horseback, to Madison Lodge by Brother George A. Pattillo on January 6, 1866.

Within a month the Most Worshipful Grand Master Robert M. Elgin issued the dispensation and the number 286 was assigned. With Brother N.B. Bendy in the East as Worshipful Master, Beaumont Lodge U.D. set to work under dispensation and held its first meeting on Saturday February 24, 1866, in a room above Brother Bendy’s store. On May 26, 1866, Brother Bendy was elected to attend the Annual Grand Communique of The Grand Lodge of Texas which was held in Houston on June 11, 1866. Brother Bendy making application and procuring the charter on June 16, 1866, Beaumont Masonic Lodge No. 286 was duly authorized to work. Intended as a temporary location, the Lodge met in Brother Bendy’s store from February 24, 1866, until June 1866. Notice the benches arranged in a square at the bottom of the picture for people to sit and discuss topics of the day.

July 1866 – January 1881: The Lodge moved to Herring Hall located on Main and Forsythe and was rented for the sum of $8.00 dollars per month. The Lodge rented a portion of Herring Hall from July 1866 to January 1881, when Herring Hall became undesirable for the purposes of the Lodge, new accommodations were sought. There is no known photo of Herring Hall.

February 1881 – February 1882: The Lodge obtained a lease on the O.M. Kyle Building located on Main and Crockett Streets. There is no known photo of the O.M. Kyle Building.

March 1882 – November 1888: In March 1882, the Lodge leased the R.H. Leonard Building. The Leonard Building stood on the corner of Main and Forsythe and cost the Lodge $100.00 per year. In July of 1888, the Lodge was informed that the owner of the Leonard Building was selling his property and the lease would not be renewed. The Worshipful Master, G.W. Kidd, appointed a committee consisting of Brothers George W. O’Brien, G.W. Kidd, and E.L. Wilson to arrange for another suitable meeting place and to report to the Lodge at the next stated meeting. The committee failed to procure a suitable hall and the Lodge did not meet for three months. The Grand Lodge requires Lodges to hold monthly stated meetings and failure to meet for three consecutive months means the forfeiture of the Lodge’s charter. In November 1888, Beaumont Lodge 286 forfeited its charter to the Grand Lodge of Texas. The furniture and fixtures were ordered stored, according to the minutes dated August 10, 1888. On April 20, 1889, Grand Master W.S. Fly said, “I authorized Beaumont Lodge, No. 286, to resume work, the charter having been forfeited by a failure to meet for three months. Good reasons were given for the failure.”

Brother Perlstein’s Blacksmith Shop

April 1889 – September 1898: In April 1889, the Lodge rented the second story of Brother Thomas J. Ridley blacksmith’s shop on Pearl Street between Bowie and Fannin Streets. The rent was $10.00 dollars per month in April 1889. According to the Beaumont Journal article “Masonry Has Kept Pace With Beaumont’s Rise,” dated April 9, 1927, “The hall was more or less an attic room and did not possess a stairway, which made it necessary for the members to climb up a ladder or into the windows.”

Brother Ridley sold his blacksmith shop to Brother H.A. Perlstein in 1891 for $250.00 dollars. Brother Perlstein continued to rent the second floor of his blacksmith shop to the Lodge and later the rent was raised to $12.50 per month.

In September 1894, the Lodge was determined to build a new hall and the Worshipful Master W.L. Douglas appointed following Brethren Guy W. Junker, R.M. Mothner, W.J. Blewett, C.Y. Thompson, and Frank Alvey to a committee to find sites suitable for the construction of a new Lodge building. The committee reported at the next stated meeting that several sites were available but recommended that the Lodge purchase the lot on the corner of Pearl and Bonham Street, (now Liberty Street). The purchase price was $1,200.00 dollars and the committee reported that Brother W.S. Davidson offered to advance the purchase money to the Lodge. Brother Davidson’s offer was accepted by the Lodge and the lot was purchased. The committee also recommended the Lodge organize a stock company to be known as the “Masonic Temple of Beaumont.” This recommendation was adopted and the committee continued to complete the work of organizing the company. The committee was increased by the addition of Brothers W.S. Davidson, W.W. Cunningham, John N. Gilbert, and V. Wiess. This enlarged committee constituted the first board of directors. These directors completed the organization by procuring a charter with a capital stock of twenty thousand dollars, represented by stock of ten dollars per share. The principal part of the stock was subscribed for by members of the Blue Lodge and Chapter.

October 1898 – July 1904: The last of this stock was taken up and cancelled in 1905.”After the stock transactions were completed, the lot was deeded over to Brother W.W. Kyle, who, in consideration of the same, erected a three story building on the site. The third floor of the building was deeded to the “Masonic Temple of Beaumont,” Company and used for Lodge purposes. The Lodge room was completed per contract and the Lodge held its first meeting on Saturday, October 15, 1898. According to a Daily Enterprise (Beaumont, Texas) article of the same date, “The Masonic fraternity will hold their initial meeting to-night in their new temple. They certainly have a beautiful hall, all the latest conveniences, electric lights, carpets, new furniture, etc. Beaumont lodge 286 A.F. and A.M. will meet tonight at their new Masonic hall on the corner of Pearl and Bonham streets. All members are earnestly requested to attend. Sojourning brothers are cordially invited.” There is no known photo of the W.W. Kyle Building.

The Gilbert Building

August 1904 – July 1907: According to a Houston Post Newspaper Article titled, “Masons Get Lease,” dated July 17, 1904, the “Masonic societies of the city have acquired the lease of the fourth floor of the Gilbert building, at the occupied by the Fraternal Order of Eagles, was closed today, and it is stipulated that the Eagles will vacate the quarters and remove to their rooms in the old Langham building on the Triangle by August 1. The Masonic societies, owing to a constantly expanding membership, were too restricted and confined in their present quarters in the Masonic or Kyle building on Pearl Street and were compelled to seek other quarters. The lease on the fourth floor of the Gilbert building is to run two years, and the project of erecting a large Masonic Temple in this city, though by no means abandoned, will not be pushed for the present.” The Kyle Building had only a north and west exposure and no ventilation on the south side of the building. It was extremely hot in the summer and almost impossible to meet. At a Called Meeting on 26 July 1904, the Lodge voted to move to the fourth floor of the Gilbert Building on the corner of Pearl and Bowie. The Lodge occupied the fourth floor of the Gilbert Building until July 2, 1907.

The Beaumont Masonic Temple

August 1907 – December 1961: The Beaumont Masonic bodies had been contemplating building their own independent structure as early as September 1894. In a newspaper article titled “Temple for Masons,” dated July 13, 1904, The Galveston Daily News reported “The Masonic societies of Beaumont are committed to the determination to erect a new and superb Masonic Temple in this city to cost anywhere from $40,000 to $50,000…The Masonic societies at present are the owners of the third floor of the Masonic Temple or Kyle Building…with the blue lodge having approximately 175 members, the chapter exceeding 100 members and a large constantly increasing membership in the commandery…The several lodges have a fund for this purpose of from $10,000 to $12,000, and discussion in the lodges brought out the fact that from $35,000 to $40,000 could easily be raised by subscription. Some of the wealthiest men in the city were prominent members of the Masonic societies. Handsome donations were received from Messrs. J.N. Gilbert, W.S. Davidson, William Wiess, and others.”

The “Temple Company” was reorganized and amendments to the charter were made to increase the capital stock of the company from $20,000.00 to $50,000.00 and to issue $30,000.00 dollars in bonds. The bonds sold quickly and on March 31, 1906, the formal purchase of the new Masonic Temple site was made. The site was located at the intersection of Pearl and Cedar (now Broadway Street). The lot was purchase from Brother William Wiess for the sum of about $3,000. The architectural firm of Sanguinet, Stants & Seutter, of Houston was chosen and final plans for the new Temple were presented to the Temple Company Board of Directors on February 3, 1907. The “Temple Company” adopted the plans provided, “the building can be constructed under these plans for within $27,000.00 dollars,” and construction would begin on 1 March 1907.”

According to a Houston Post article, “Plans Adopted, Temple of the Beaumont Masons Will Be Handsome Structure,” dated January 31, 1907, “The plans adopted, submitted by the Houston architects, contemplate a handsome brick structure of two stories, to be situated at the intersection of Pearl and Cedar Streets, the building to front sixty feet on Pearl Street, with a depth of 120 feet on Cedar. One- half of the first floor is to be fitted for business purposes, two rental store fronts, while in the rear of the first floor space is afforded for a spacious banquet hall and reception room to be used by the Masonic bodies on public occasions. The second floor will consist of two lodge rooms, one being used by the Blue Lodge, the other by the Commandery, Chapter and Eastern Star, a secretary’s office, property room and library. Although the plans provide for a two-story building, the height will be practically the same as a three-story structure, as the ceilings are very high….A bond issue of $35,000 of the Masonic Temple society has been subscribed and a call made for payment of 25 per cent of the amount subscribed by March 1, is designed to let the contract and have everything in readiness to break dirt for the new building by March 1.”

The contract to build the $27,000 two story brick temple was let April 13, 1907, to contractor S.B. Dorris. The electrical contract was given to Keith Electric Co. and plumbing to R.E. Eastham. Excavation began on April 22, 1907, and on July 2, 1907, Brother W.S. Davidson, Acting Grand Master, laid the cornerstone of the new Temple. The new Temple was completed in 1907 and was home to Beaumont Lodge 286, Beaumont Commandery No. 38, Beaumont Chapter No. 188, Beaumont Chapter No. 71 Order of the Eastern Star and Beaumont Council No. 126. On January 4, 1922, Tolerance Lodge 1165 set to work in the Temple. In 1930, Wisteria Chapter No. 823 Order of the Eastern Star was organized and also met here.

The grandest Masonic Temple Beaumont Lodge 286 and the other Masonic bodies of Beaumont will ever call home was sold for $25,000.00. At a Stated Meeting on Thursday March 22, 1962, Worshipful Master M.C. Snell informed the Lodge that “our property at Pearl and Broadway…has a firm offer of $25,000.00 and a tentative offer of $29,000.00. Worshipful Master Snell pointed out the amount needed to continue to carry the old building was more than $2,000.00 per year and that every month we held on to it cost us $174.00. After much discussion, the Temple Board was authorized to close the best deal they could get, with a minimum of $25,000.00 as a selling price.” The Masonic Temple played host too many social and fraternal activities. The social gatherings were spectacles of grace and antebellum charm, often written about in newspapers.

The Modern Temple

January 1962 – May 1997: Beaumont Lodge 286, being the first Lodge chartered in Beaumont, became the mother Lodge to all others within the city. As the city grew, membership increased and neighborhoods expanded and the need to establish Lodges throughout the city grew. Tolerance Lodge No. 1165 was chartered December 21, 1921; South Park Lodge No. 1320 was chartered December 9, 1949; B.F. Quicksall Lodge No. 1370 was chartered December 6, 1956. Originally chartered September 19, 1849, in Galveston, Teutonia Lodge No. 47 was reinstituted November 20, 2006, as a daylight Lodge.

In 1959, Beaumont Lodge 286 and Tolerance Lodge 1165 felt the need for a new Masonic Temple in Beaumont. W. W. Snowden, Worshipful Master of Beaumont Lodge 286 and Brother Eugene Pipes, Worshipful Master of Tolerance Lodge 1165, appointed a building committee to construct a new Temple. On December 10, 1959, the building committee reported to the Lodge that they had found a property located at 990 IH-10 North and the committee “felt it was the best location seen.” The property was owned by Brother Maurice L. Lefler, Jr and was for sale for the sum of $37,500.00. A vote was then taken and the motion passed to purchase the property. At a Called Meeting on December 28, 1959, the Lodge voted to allow Worshipful Master W.W. Snowden to negotiate for a loan from the Security State Bank & Trust in the amount of $37,500.00 at 6% interest. The note was then paid off within 90 days with the proceeds of the sale of United States Government Bonds the Lodge had saved. On January 28, 1960, Worshipful Master Snowden appointed a “Finance Committee to devise ways and means of raising funds for the proposed new Masonic Temple.” The Finance Committee was granted permission by the Lodge to solicit the Brethren for donations to build the new Temple. At a Stated Meeting on February 11, 1960, Architect Brother Maurice E. Walmer displayed the preliminary building and site plans. A motion was made and passed to allow the Building Committee to pass on and approve preliminary and final plans of the Temple and to proceed with the Building Program. The Lodge owned 3 acres on Milam Street and on June 9, 1960, the Lodge authorized the sale of the land “for not less than $18,000.00 net to the Lodge” to help pay construction cost.

On November 10, 1960, Worshipful Master A.R. Murphy recognized the Lodges Attorney and Past Master George M. Sonfield to read the proposed contract of ownership and occupancy of the New Temple between Beaumont Lodge 286, Tolerance Lodge 1165, and the other appendant bodies. The Lodge accepted the contracted and authorized Worshipful Master Murphy to execute said contract on behalf of the Lodge as attested to by the Secretary Brother L.E. Gillett. On January 12, 1961, Brother Secretary Gillett reported the building fund had $148,562.03 available in cash and pledges from varies appendant bodies.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the new Masonic Temple was held March 11, 1961. The cornerstone leveling ceremony, with Grand Master W.G. Proctor officiating, took place on May 26, 1961. Before the cornerstone was leveled the audience was invited to place to deposit items and articles with the Secretary for sealing in the cornerstone. A long list of items, which is part of the minutes of the ceremony, included a Holy Bible donated by Brother James Lee of Galveston, a copy of Lightfoot’s Manual of the Lodge which was autographed by the Grand Lodge Officers and donated by Brother E.S. Winfree Jr., dues cards, newspapers, photographs of Brethren and their families, Canadian and American coins, and histories of varies Lodges and appendant bodies. The formal dedication of the New Masonic Temple took place Saturday January 27.1962. Worshipful Master M.C. Snell opened a Master Masons Lodge at 8:45 P.M. After receiving private grand honors, The Most Worshipful Grand Master Robert L. Dillard, Jr. assumed the east and opened the Representation of The Grand Lodge. In accordance with the ancient usages and customs, and in full compliance with the Laws of The Grand Lodge of Texas, the Masonic Temple of Beaumont Lodge No. 286 A. F. & A. M. and Tolerance Lodge No. 1165 A. F. & A. M. was officially dedicated by Grand Master Robert L. Dillard, Jr.

On February 8, 1962, “As a matter of interest the Secretary reported that at our dedication ceremonies, we had representation from 80 different Lodges, including 20 different Grand Jurisdictions and two foreign countries.” The new Temple was home to Beaumont Lodge 286, Tolerance Lodge 1165, Wisteria Chapter No. 823 Order of the Eastern Star, Beaumont Chapter No. 71 Order of the Eastern Star, Beaumont Chapter No. 188 Royal Arch Masons, Beaumont Council No. 126 Royal and Select Masters, Beaumont Commandery No. 38 Knights Templar, Frank P. Decker Order of the DeMolay, Order of the Rainbow Girls, and The Cashan Grotto No. 86.

The two story Temple consisted of two Blue Lodge rooms, one York Rite Red room, and another Lodge room used by appendant bodies, a large dining room and kitchen. On the first floor were two secretary offices for Beaumont 286 and Tolerance 1165, a large dining hall and kitchen, a Blue Lodge room for Tolerance 1165 and the Lodge room used by other appendant bodies. On the second floor there was a Blue Lodge room for Beaumont 286 and a Red Lodge room used by York Rite bodies. The second floor also had a small dining room and library.

In 1995, because of increasing repair cost and the decline in Masonic membership, Beaumont Lodge 286 wanted to sale the Temple but Tolerance Lodge 1165 did not. The sale of the Temple was contentious and a legal battle ensued. On January 16, 1996, a Judge ordered the building sold and the profits divided per shareholder percentages. The Temple was sold and ownership was conveyed to the new purchaser on May 20, 1997. All bodies were informed by Beaumont Lodge 286 Worshipful Master Henry Nix they must vacate the Temple by May 31, 1997. Beaumont Lodge 286 proceeds from the sale of the Temple were $192,243.98.

In The Interim

June 1997 – October 2003: After the sale of the I-10 Temple, Beaumont Lodge 286 held its first Stated Meeting on June 12, 1997, at South Park Lodge 1320 located at 885 West Cardinal Dr., Beaumont. South Park Lodge had agreed to let Beaumont Lodge hold Masonic meetings in their Lodge in exchange Beaumont Lodge would share in the expenses of the Lodge. This would allow Beaumont Lodge 286 time to decide future plans for the Lodge.

At a Stated Meeting on April 12, 2002, Past Master Henry Dillon made a motion that the Lodge find land to purchase to build a new Temple for Beaumont Lodge 286. Land was purchase at 8110 Phelan Boulevard, plans were made and a budget set of $250,000.00. On June 25, 2002, the Beaumont City Council voted to approve Ordinance NO. 02-043 allowing Beaumont Lodge to use a specific use permit to build the new Temple. The Brethren of South Park Lodge were extremely accommodating and gracious host. Beaumont Lodge 286 owes a great debt of gratitude and thanks to our South Park Brothers.

Beaumont Masonic Lodge 286

November 2003 – Present: On August 23, 2003, Worshipful Master Lester Smith opened a Master Masons Lodge for the purpose of laying the cornerstone of Beaumont Lodge’s new home. R∴W∴ Michael D. Nanny, Past Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas presided over the cornerstone ceremony. With 19 members present, Worshipful Master Lester Smith opened the first Master Masons Lodge at the new Temple on November 10, 2003.

The new Temple is 1980 square feet consisting of one Lodge room, a dining area, one secretary’s office and two restrooms. Beaumont Lodge decided to offer other Lodges the opportunity to rent the Temple for their meetings. The Temple became the home of B.F. Quicksall Lodge 1370, reinstituted Teutonia Lodge 47, and Wisteria Chapter 823, Order of the Eastern Star. In August 2020, B.F. Quicksall Lodge 1370 voted to merge with Beaumont Lodge 286. The official notification of consolidation came from the Grand Lodge of Texas on October 9, 2020. Grand Master Paul Underwood granted the consolidation of B.F. Quicksall Lodge 1370 into Beaumont Lodge 286. It was with great pleasure and honor that the Brethren of both Lodges accepted the consolidation. Quicksall Past Masters and historical items belonging to B.F. Quicksall Lodge 1370 or on full display in the Lodge.

The Temple furnishings consisted of lodge room chairs and officer chairs from the Temple built in 1907. White walls and linoleum floors finish out the building. Not much was done as far as trying to make the Lodge into a more welcoming place for fellowship. The Lodge decided in 2016 to begin the slow process of renovating, focusing on our rich history and creating a masonically welcoming atmosphere for our Brethren and potential future members. In that vein, verifiable efforts have been made in writing a correct and accurate history of the Lodge since its charter on June 16, 1866.

Major strides in the renovation began in the spring of 2020. The Lodge room renovations included; mantels over each station with the correct columns symbolizing wisdom in the east, beauty in the south and strength in the west, each station pedestal floor stripped of carpet and a wooden floor laid, every Past Master picture professionally restored and digitized, new Past Master frames and brass name tags, the five original wooden officer chairs (circa 1915) tightened up and new leather seats replaced and back pads added, the addition of two oil paintings of George Washington and Benjamin Franklin with lighting, a new Bose wireless sound system, the addition of “working tool shields with sayings” above each station, repainted the two columns and alter, all new interior and exterior doors and hardware, the addition of a new 55” TV in the Lodge room and dining area, new stainless steel appliances in the kitchen area, matching granite counter tops in the kitchen and on the officer pedestals in the Lodge room, new round tables in the dining area, two additional display cases for museum artifacts, numerous professionally museum mounted framed historical articles with restored photos, a biography of those Brethren who have served in the Grand Lodge of Texas as a “collared officer,” and a beautiful solid walnut one of a kind domino table.

Over the years our membership continues to decline. From the reported high in 1961 of 245,000 Freemasons in Texas to approximately 75,000 in 2021, Masonry struggles to survive. In 1961, Beaumont Lodge 286 had 1,706 members and in 2021 we have 163. The average age of the Lodge members is 63.5 years. Getting the attention of our young men, keeping them engaged, and competing for their time are our greatest challenges. Gone are the days of grand Masonic Temples, black tie social gatherings and the social graces of years gone by. Today we must compete with ever changing social mores and how they impact what we believe as Masons. Masonry has survived for many hundred years and will continue to survive as long as we maintain our core beliefs of honesty, integrity, compassion, and charity. We as Masons are taught to believe in:

Brotherly Love: Love of each other and for all mankind.
Relief: Charity for others and mutual aid for fellow Masons.
Truth: The search for answers to the universal questions of morality and the salvation of the soul that only a man’s individual faith and his relationship with God can provide.

We are the Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of God, Making Good Men Better.

According to the Texas Almanac, the population of Beaumont in 1850 was 151 and by 1870 the population had grown to 1,995. As families moved into Beaumont, several men were already Master Mason and thoughts of forming a Masonic Lodge began. In 1860 a two story building was built at the corner of Pearl and Wall streets and was known as Masonic Hall. For five years Beaumont did not have a sufficient number of Master Masons residing within its jurisdiction to form a Lodge. On April 12, 1861, the Civil War began and thoughts of forming a Lodge in Beaumont were abandoned, as many of the Lodge’s future members marched off to fight for the Confederacy. On September 13, 1865, a hurricane hit southwestern Louisiana and destroyed Orange, Texas. According to the National Weather Service “four out of 200 homes were left standing.” Beaumont received damage as well, and the Masonic Hall was destroyed.