Records for the Valley of Rochester, 1866-2005

On February 24, 1866, the Grand Lodge of Perfection received its dispensation from Scottish Rite member, Orrin Welch, Deputy Inspector General of the State of New York. This is recorded in the minutes of the Grand Lodge of Perfection.

This was a dispensation, as charters were not granted until the Union of Scottish Rite bodies in the Northern Jurisdiction in 1867. Charters were received for all four bodies of the Valley of Rochester: Lodge of Perfection, Council Princes of Jerusalem, Chapter of Rose Croix, and Consistory. Unfortunately, the charters were all lost in a fire. As a result, the minute books are the sole source of information about the Valley after the turn of the twentieth century.

The Germania Lodge of Perfection, AASR was chartered on August 19, 1874. It was unique to have two Lodges of Perfection in one city. The Supreme Council granted the request for this because of the great number of German-speaking citizens in Rochester. Masonic business and ritual were carried out in German as reflected in the minute books until the outbreak of World War I. Later in 1975, Germania Lodge of Perfection merged with Rochester Lodge of Perfection.

In 1892, there was a serious fire at 77 West Main St., Rochester, which rendered this Scottish Rite building unusable. The minutes and charter were saved. The building was well insured so money was reserved to pay for furnishing new lodge rooms.

There was a financial “panic”, not a depression in the early 1890’s. As a result 119 members dropped out of the Valley of Rochester Bodies for non-payment of dues. As well, there was a resolution passed that stated that no demits would be granted unless the Mason’s assessment was paid.

In 1900, there was another fire at 77 West Main St., Rochester and almost all the rooms occupied by the Scottish Rite Bodies were destroyed. This is probably the fire in which the charters were lost. The Rochester Bodies met at various temporary locations.

After this fire, in 1902, the Valley of Rochester Bodies put money down on a new Masonic Temple of Rochester. A “Masonic fair” was held to raise money for this building project.

In 1913, the General Committee was enlarged to eight members. The records of this committee do not say what officers made up this very important committee.

By 1915, the financial status of the Valley of Rochester was improving. They had $40,000 available to purchase a building of their own.

During the years of World War l, 1917-1918, petitions were received in numbers greater than usual from younger Master Masons. They wanted to join before leaving for military duty. By 1923, all four Rochester Bodies: Lodge of Perfection, Council, Princes of Jerusalem, Chapter of Rose Croix, and Consistory had put $150,000 towards a Masonic building. In 1926, $200,000 was contributed for the new building.

On April 7, 1928, the cornerstone was laid for the new Masonic Temple at 875 Main Street East, Rochester. A huge parade followed— then an address, and a celebration banquet.

During World War II, 1940-1945, attendance was reduced to a considerable degree. It was difficult for members to get transportation to meetings because of gas rationing and the governmental policy that allowed only essential use of automobiles. The Federal Government did not include fraternalism as essential, or entertainment. The General Committee recommended that the Rochester Consistory Players discontinue their plays until after the war.

By 1950, the mortgage on the new Masonic Temple was paid in full. This cost more than was anticipated because of the stock market crash of 1929 and following financial Depression. The Valley of Rochester suffered from a lack of candidates, many demits and discharges for inability to pay dues, and lack of support for the new expensive Masonic Temple.

1957 was a milestone for the Rochester Consistory because at the “Spring Reunion Banquet” ladies were included and it was called “Ladies Night”. The Reunion Banquet of 1960 was attended by the largest number of members on record.

In 1964, the Rochester Bodies entered into a new fraternal relationship with the Shrine and the Knights of Columbus. They planned many activities jointly with these other fraternal groups.