Formation of the Masonic

Grand Lodge of Tennessee

The Grand Lodge Free & Accepted Masons of Tennessee

100 N 7th Ave at Broadway

P.O. Box 24216

Nashville TN 37202

Bro. Bob Demott, Grand Historian

The Grand Lodge of

Tennessee

History

In 1717 in London, England, a group of men organized what was known as the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of England. This was formed by representatives from several individual Masonic Lodges in England. Masonry spread to other parts of the world when persons from this Grand Lodge of England migrated.

When several such persons lived in a locality they asked the Grand Lodge of England for permission to form a Lodge in their own area. After several Lodges had been formed in this manner, these new Lodges could then form a Grand Lodge among themselves. Thus, in the United States, each state has its own Grand Lodge.

When Masons moved across the Appalachian Mountains into Tennessee they asked permission of an existing Grand Lodge for a charter to operate. When several Lodges were operating, the members then formed the Tennessee Grand Lodge. This happened in Knoxville in 1813.

Under dispensation from the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, Tennessee Lodge #2 was formed in Love's Tavern on Front Street, near the end of the Gay Street Bridge in Knoxville. The first recorded meeting was held March 4, 1800. In attendance was Andrew Jackson, then Justice to the Superior Court and a member of Harmony Lodge #1, Nashville. The charter was granted September 30, 1800, with John Sevier, then Governor of Tennessee, as Worshipful Master.

Major James Grant, first clerk of Campbell County, was Senior Warden; George W Campbell, Junior Warden; and George Roulston, Secretary. The 1803 roster included Thomas Augustine Claiborne, a Knoxville physician, who was a distant cousin of Tennessee's First Grand Master.

Two men who were initiated in Tennessee Lodge #2 were Archibald Roane, the second Governor of Tennessee, and Judge David Campbell, founder of Campbell Station.

Formation

On December 27, 1813, in Knoxville, representatives for eight Lodges met and formed the Grand Lodge of Tennessee.

The eight were:

Tennessee #2, Knoxville

Greeneville #3, Greeneville

Newport #4, Newport

Overton #5, Rogersville

Solomon #6, Gallatin

Hiram #7, Franklin

Cumberland #8, Nashville and

Western Star #9, Springfield.

The Tennessee Grand Lodge was organized in the Lodge room of Tennessee #2, located in the old Court House which was at the north west corner of Main Avenue and Gay Street.

Prior to the formation of the Tennessee Grand Lodge, the Lodges were under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Grand Lodge, which from 1803 to 1813, was known as the Grand Lodge of North Carolina and Tennessee. With the formation of the Tennessee Grand Lodge, a charter was issued from the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, thought to be the only instance where one Grand Lodge chartered another.

Grand Masters

Thomas Claiborne, a Nashville lawyer, represented Hiram Lodge #7 and Cumberland Lodge #8 at the formation of the Grand Lodge. He affiliated with Cumberland Lodge #8 at Nashville on June 18, 1818, and was a charter member of Cumberland Chapter #1, Royal Arch Masons.

He was born in Petersburg, Virginia, on May 17, 1780, came to Nashville in 1807, engaged in the practice of law, and served under Andrew Jackson in the Creek War of 1813. Apparently Claiborne's military service was of rather short duration, because Jackson did not leave the Nashville area with his army until October 7, 1813. The battles were fought on November 3rd and 9th and Claiborne was in Tennessee in time to attend the Masonic Meeting in Knoxville on December 27, at which time the Grand Lodge was formed and he was elected the First Grand Master.

Jackson, the Fifth Grand Master, and the First Grand Master formed a life-long friendship. Claiborne was a Justice of Davidson County in 1818, and a member of the Fifteenth Congress from March 4, 1817 to March 3, 1819. He was mayor of Nashville in 1818, and served in the General Assembly of Tennessee in 1811-1815 and 1831-1832. He was a pall bearer at Jackson's funeral in June 1845.

Tom Claiborne served as Speaker of the House of Representatives in Tennessee, and, on October 28, 1813 was pleased to sign the bill establishing Tennessee's first library. George Wison, speaker of the senate pro-tem, later in 1813 to be installed as Deputy Grand Master, also signed the bill. Wilkins Tannehill, seven times the Tennessee Grand Master, was one of the library directors.

The first Grand Master died on January 7, 1856, and is buried in the Old City Cemetery, Nashville.

The Masonic Temple

Building

Bro. K. I. Wright

Grand Lecturer &

Past Grand Master

The Grand Lodge of

Tennessee

History

Welcome to the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Tennessee. This is a great historical building in the very heart of downtown Nashville Tennessee, among many modern hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions, and State Capitol.

It was built for the very purpose which it now serves; a meeting place for all Masonic bodies. The building was originally built by the Scottish Rite Bodies, and the First Stated Meeting was held on February 10, 1925.

The cornerstone for the Temple was laid by Grand Master Walter M Taylor on January 31, 1923. This cornerstone laying ceremony was well attended with all the Grand Lodge Officers present. Attendance was estimated at 3,000, with Officers and members of all Masonic Bodies present. The cost of the building in 1925 was $736,000. The building has recently been appraised at over 11 million dollars.

The name of the building when completed in 1925 was "Scottish Rite Temple." The Temple was officially dedicated by the Scottish Rite at a ceremony held on April 13, 1925. Due to financial strain and low membership, the Scottish Rite Temple was sold to the Grand Lodge of Masons on May 20, 1937 at a closed auction for a price of $150,000. The name was changed to "The Grand Lodge Building." It now serves as the home of Freemasonry in Tennessee.

In addition to housing the Grand Lodge, offices are maintained by the Masonic Widows' and Orphans' Home Fund, Scottish Rite, Grand York Rite Bodies, Grand Order of the Eastern Star, Plus a local Lodge, Royal Arch Chapter, Cryptic Masons Council, and Knight Templar Commandery.

Tour of the Building

 

We begin our tour of the Grand Lodge Building at the office of the Grand Secretary. This is where the records of the Grand Lodge, Grand Chapter, Grand Council, and Grand Commandery are kept and maintained. The office of the Masonic Widows' and Orphans' Home Fund as well as offices for the Grand Master, are located in this section. The address of the building is 100 7th Avenue N; however, all correspondence is sent to P.O. Box 24216, Nashville TN 37202.

First Floor or Lobby

 

Just outside the Grand Secretary's office is the main lobby. This is where the brethren assemble for the Grand Lodge annual communication as they register with the credentials committee each March. Pictures of all the living Past Grand Masters are placed around the wall beginning with the present Grand Master in the center of the wall, counterclockwise from the youngest living Past Grand Master to the oldest living Past Grand Master in seniority. Down the two hallways are the pictures of deceased Past Grand Masters.

Library & Study Room

 

The Library with books maintained by the Scottish Rite is used for study group meetings with fellowship and education around two large conference tables. The door to the Grand Master's office and the elevator are located in this room. Around the walls are pictures of early Past Grand Masters of Tennessee, including Thomas Claiborne, the First Grand Master, who died in 1856 and is buried in the Old City Cemetery in Nashville. The first Grand Lodge meeting was held in Knoxville in 1813. There have been three presidents of the United States who were Masons in Tennessee; Andrew Jackson who served as Grand Master in 1822 & 1823, James K Polk, and Andrew Johnson.

Second

or

Auditorium Floor

The first room is called the Class Room or Small Lodge Room. This is where the Grand Commandery Knight Templars and the Scottish Rite Lodge of Perfection meets. Also the Scottish Rite class for reunions assemble here before the degrees. Observance Lodge #686 F & A M hold their meetings here, as well as Cumberland Chapter #1 CM, and Nashville Commandery #1 KT. The Spring and Fall York Rite Festivals also assemble here. The classroom is 41 1/2 feet wide and 72 feet long with an 18 foot ceiling.

Auditorium

The auditorium seats 1,455 people and has 12 exits. This is where the Grand Lodge, the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons, and the Grand Council Cryptic Masons meet every March. Also Scottish Rite Reunions and York Festivals are held in this room. The auditorium is 108 feet wide and 113 feet long. The ceiling is 46 feet high. Working space on the floor is 36 x 45 feet. The large chandelier in the auditorium is 12 feet in diameter and takes about two hours to lower and four hours to raise by hand crank. The stage is 39 feet deep, 92 feet wide and 68 feet from the floor to the roof. There are several curtains and backdrops for various degrees in the Scottish and York Rites. The acoustics are superb, explaining why the auditorium has been used by the Nashville Symphony Orchestra as well as several Grand Old Opry performers.

Hall Around

the Auditorium

In the well-lighted hall in front of the auditorium are pictures of all the Masonic Lodges in Tennessee with their names and numbers. From the hall on the northside is a wardrobe and dressing room for the York Rite. From the hall on the southside is a storage room for Observance Lodge, also a crew room. Just before going downstairs, on the left is a carpenter/maintenance shop for the stage crew.

First Floor

 

On the first floor northside, we enter the Scottish Rite wardrobe and dressing room with a large display on the wall. Going down the north wall, with pictures of deceased Past Grand Masters, we find the office of the Grand Order of Eastern Star, Grand Lodge conference, room and Scottish Rite office where visitors are welcome and Masonic jewelry is on display and for sale. Next is the local York Rite office.

Grand Lodge

Library and Museum

 

The Grand Lodge Library and Museum was started in 1988. Many Masonic items and pictures are located in this room. Items of Masonic interest are added regularly.

Kitchen and

Dinning Room

Downstairs in the basement is the Grand Lodge dining room which seats about 500 people. The dining room is 85 x 108 feet with a 14 foot ceiling. Around the wall are pictures of Past Grand Secretaries and Treasurers who were not Past Grand Masters. There is also a small dining area outside the main dining room. The kitchen is very spacious and well furnished. The back door of the kitchen leads to the parking lot of the Grand Lodge.

Summary

The architecture of the Grand Lodge building is Greek design throughout. The average annual cost to maintain the Grand Lodge building is $115,000. The building is heated with gas and the only air conditioning is in the offices and the Small Lodge Room. Masons are proud of this historical Grand Lodge building and it is well maintained. Maybe you would like to help us in this endeavor. Donations can be made in person or by check to the Grand Lodge Building Enhancement Fund, PO Box 24216, Nashville TN 37202. The money is invested and only the interest can be spent, so your donation will work forever to maintain this beautiful Grand Lodge Building. With each donation of $30.00 the donor will receive a Grand Lodge Building Enhancement Fund lapel pin.

Pamphlets on how to become a Mason and other Masonic material is available in the Grand Lodge Office. Thank you for your interest in Masonry and our Grand Lodge Building.