OLIVER SPRINGS MASONIC LODGE HISTORY
From “The Story of Oliver Springs, TN, and Its People- Vol. II” by Snyder E. Roberts, pub 1983
Omega Lodge Masonic Hall erected in 1920, first floor Post Office, the L&N Trestle is shown on the right, crossing over Southern RR tracks in front of building
Omega Lodge No.536 Established (excerpted from referenced book)
By 1889, Oliver Springs had grown to a sizeable community with many men of outstanding ability and no doubt many of them were Masons. ……The first meeting of Omega Lodge No. 536 F&M (under dispensation) was held on February 15, 1889 in Wiley Hall with JOHN G. BRUCE as Worshipful Master, WILLIAM PAYNE SMITH, Senior Warden, and JABEZ G. MITCHELL, Junior Warden. The Worshipful Master appointed the following officers:
H. H. WILEY, Treasurer; THOMAS PHILLIPS, Secretary; T. R. EVANS, Senior Deacon; P.H. HOSKINS, JR, Deacon; T. A. BUTLER, Tyler; E. W. SCANDLYN, Chaplain, and ALEX ALLEN and T A. JENKINS, Stewards. J. L. SCARBROUGH and C. B. JACKSON were present. A committee was appointed to draft a code of By Laws for the Lodge. Wiley Hall was leased for one year.
The Charter for Omega Lodge No. 536 bears the date of January 30, 1890.
Cornerstone Ceremonies
Omega Lodge was involved in numerous laying of cornerstones. On June 24, 1890, Past Grand Master H. H. INGERSOLL conducted the cornerstone ceremony for the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. On September 22, 1915, Grand Master T. A. HISEY participated in the Donovan High School and Sulphur Springs High School cornerstone ceremonies. On July 31, 1916, JEROME STANSBERRY acting as D.G.M. conducted the cornerstone ceremony for the Reed, or Tuppertown School. On September 23, 1916, Omega Lodge was requested to assist in the laying of the cornerstone for Wheat High School. On September 18, 1920, the Grand Master assisted by Past Master CLEM JONES, conducted the cornerstone ceremony for the new brick Lodge Hall for Omega Loge No. 536.
Memorial Resolutions
Omega Lodge was blessed with strong capable leaders throughout its formative years. Membership grew at a healthy rate. However, the Lodge minutes contain resolutions to the memory of many of its departed leaders. These resolutions, or memorials, deserve special mention because of the care and beauty of their wording. Most bear the trademark and handiwork of the incomparable HARVEY H. HANNAH. The Lodge was especially saddened by the death of its first Worshipful Master, JOHN G. BRUCE. The Lodge gathered on October 14, 1891 to conduct his funeral, and a beautifully worded resolution was prepared for the minutes.
Other stalwarts in the Lodge who were honored by memorial resolutions included: THOMAS PHILLIPS (5/8/1895); W. P. SMITH (10/16/1897); R. M. CHAPMAN (3/9/1901); THOMAS R. EVANS (11/30/1901);THOMAS D. LEWIS (7/11/1902);JABEZ MITCHELL and T. E. MCBEE (9/15/1906);JOHN J. JACKSON (11/9/1910); AUSTIN F. STUBBS (10/21/1911); SAM M. RUSSELL (7/5/1922) Rev. EVERET B. BOOTH, Pastor of Oliver Springs First Baptist Church (3/29/1920); and WILLIAM D. “BILL” RICHARDS, who had faithfully served the Lodge as Secretary for more than thirty years, on December 19, 1931.
Early Leaders
In addition to the original officers of Omega Lodge, outstanding early leaders included: the four RICHARDS brothers, JACK QUEENER, DR. JOSEPH REES, DR. JOSEPH J. WALLER, EVAN PHILIPS, LINK WILLIAMS, HERMAN AHLER, FRANK JONES, ED TAYLOR, A. C. SMITH and ‘SPOT” HENLEY who is especially remembered for his outstanding work in the conducting of many Masonic funerals.
With the building of the new brick Masonic Hall on Estabrook Avenue in 1920, new leaders began to emerge. These leaders during the Roaring Twenties included: EZRA MCGLOTHIN, ROBERT P. REEVES, JAMES H. SMITH, ALEX JACKSON, WAYNE SUMMERS, METHYR BOOTH, SAM KEEBLER, FRANK L. LADD, TOM GROSS, FRANK WALLER, and others. The 1920’s were very active years for Omega Lodge. The Lodge was honored with visits from at least three different Grand Masters. Many petitions for Lodge membership were being received, the Lodge had negotiated a favorable 10-year lease with the United States Postal Department for the first floor of the Lodge building, and the town of Oliver Springs was enjoying a generally prosperous period……..
Depression Years and World War II Period
Omega lodge suffered lean years during the 1930’s. Few applications were received, attendance was light, and there were continuing financial problems. However, Brothers R. P. REEVES and NEIL SIMMONS successfully steered the Lodge through these financially troubled times.
Omega Lodge was greatly affected by the start of the Oak ridge Atomic Project in the fall of 1942. Existing Lodge buildings in the Oak Ridge project area were taken by the government. The greater part of the Project area fell within the jurisdiction of Omega Lodge. At first construction workers poured into Oliver Springs, and many of them were Masons. Later, as workers were provided living quarters in Oak Ridge, many of the Masons attended Omega Lodge. With this tremendous influx of people into the area, Omega Lodge was flooded with applications, and with the increased revenues the Lodge disposed of its remaining debt, and began a building fund.
New Building in 1957
Omega Lodge had grown in membership, which included men from all the skilled trades, and most professions, including engineers. The increased membership left the Lodge badly in need of space. A plan was devised for the financing and erecting of an addition to the existing building which would double the size of the Lodge facilities. The addition was financed on a cash basis by using money in the building fund, and by cash donations from practically every member. An agreement was reached and a covenant deed made with the City of Oliver Springs whereby the City would build and own the first floor, and the Lodge would build and own the second floor. Lodge members JIM GREGORY and BILL DAVIES who were engineers, donated their time and work in preparing complete sets of plans. Brother CARSON RIDENOUR, Attorney, did the legal work. A contract was let to Kitchen and Moore for the structural work, and RAY BUCK of Harriman for the electrical--all of whom were Masons. A heating system and furniture were provided under separate contracts. The old Lodge room was converted to a dining hall and auxiliary rooms were remodeled. The entire addition was financed on a cash basis, and completed in time for the beginning of the 1957 Lodge year. Many additional improvements have been made by the Lodge with the aid of the Eastern Star to the present time.
Picture Gallery
In the late 1950’s, Past Master CARL MORGAN took upon himself the task of establishing a gallery with pictures of all Past Masters of Omega Lodge. He successfully accomplished this project at a considerable expense to himself, and vast amounts of time spent in research and locating the old pictures for copying. This attractive display of photographs in the lobby attracts the attention of all visitors.
Past Masters and Years Served
John G. Bruce 1889-90-91, Dr. Robert A. McFerrin 1892-95, Jabez G. Mitchell 1893, Joseph Richards 1894-1900, Andrew “Jack” Queener 1896-1901-04, Dr. David Rees 1897, Evan D. Phillips 1899-1905-14-36, A. C. Smith 1902, Dr. J. J. Waller 1903, Link Williams 1906-22-26-38, Herman Ahler 1907, A. H. Bowling 1908, Spotswood Henley 1909-10-33, Edward Taylor 1911, Clem Jones 1912, H. W. Smith 1913, Jasper Smith 1915, S. B. Hamilton 1916, Logan Cox 1920, Ezra McGlothin 1921, James Smith 1923, Alex Jackson 1924, Samuel Keebler 1925, Frank Waller 1927, Ed Prigmore 1928, Methyr Booth 1919-30, Cleve Goins 1931-34-35-41-46, Walter Right 1932, Neil Simmons 1937, James Meade 1939-43, Luther Abston 1940, Richard Braden 1941-45, Joe Scarbrough 1944, Snyder Roberts 1947, Leonard Duggins 1948, Elden Brown 1949, Thomas Fortner 1950, Fred Giles 1951, Frank Hoskins 1952, Carl Morgan 1953, Herbert Adcox 1954, Paul Fox 1955, Arnold McKinney 1956, Maurice Walls 1957, Bruce Young 1958, James Gregory 1959, Rembert Harris 1960, Carl M. Jones 1961, Ferd Stroupe 1962, Earl Lane 1963, Spurgeon Walls 1964, James Hensley 1965, Ray Cate 1966, Frank Stewart 1967, Gentry Hut 1968, Edwin Embleton 1969, Burley Duncan 1970, Charles Justice 1972, Blaine McKinney 1973, Lowell Shoopman 1974, Owen Duncan 1975, James Ledbetter 1971-76, Lonnie Bolden 1977, David McCrosky 1978, James Elliott 1979, Cary Schultz 1980, Jerry L. Lewis 1981, and Charles Robbins 1982.
A final thought for all good Masons: “What we have done for ourselves dies with us. What we have done for others and the world, remains and is immortal.”