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History of Eastern Star Lodge #44 Written By: Brother James D. Currier Eastern Star Lodge No. 44, A.F. & A.M. was chartered November 21, 1789 in the Congregational Church in Lebanon, CT its charter members being formerly of Wooster Lodge No. 10 in Colchester, CT who had found traveling distances no longer sufficiently near, as they with one exception were residents of Lebanon and Windham. Shortly there after the membership voted to meet in the upper chamber of a house occupied by Brother Dennison Wattles and owned by Brother Joseph Metcalf. This house was situated near the road leading from Goshen to Bozraville at a corner made by the cross road to Coreyville. This house is no longer standing but its location can be ascertained by the cellar hole and foundation walls. The first meeting in Windham Center was on June 17, 1801 and while the meetings had been held alternately in Lebanon and Windham, meetings ceased entirely in the Town of Lebanon in May of 1809. The initial meeting place in Windham until 1805 when an upper room in the store building occupied by Brother Henry Webb and owned by Samuel Gray was rented and came to be called Mason’s Hall. The building which also became the William Swift Store stood on the Windham Green at the corner of Windham Center Road (Route 203) and Scotland Road (Route 14). The building was destroyed by fire in 1887, and the property where the building once stood is now where the Congregational Church now stands. By 1851 what is now The City of Willimantic had grown so rapidly that the lodge decided to hold the meetings there. The Odd Fellows Hall located at the corner of Union Street and Temple Street was leased and used for meetings from October 1851 until April 15, 1856. Previous to its permanent removal to Willimantic the lodge had twice met at Hebard’s Tavern, Gordon Hebard being Worshipful Master of the lodge from 1840-1850. This building is now a brick two tenement block at 10-12 Pleasant Street in Willimantic. For about one year 1856-1857 the lodge met in the basement rooms of the Congregational Church. This building, later called the Melony Block, was later destroyed and in its site at 824 Main Street was erected known to some as the Beller Block. The lodge was then moved into a more permanent and suitable quarters in the Holmes Block at 715 Main Street, opposite Railroad Street. In 1885 the lodge moved to the quarters located on the third floor of the United National Bank building at 779-803 Main Street and remaining there until the building burned on December 14, 1925. The last meeting in the Bank on December 6, 1925 was a special meeting and the annual meeting of December 23, 1925 was held in Washburn Hall, at 58 North Street which was donated for the night by its owners Brother Fred L. Avery and Brother Dixon Van Zandt. On January 6, 1926 the lodge voted to sub rent rooms on the second floor of Willimantic Savings Institute building located at the intersection of Main Street and Bank Street. It was known then as the Willimantic Woman’s Club. Later the building at 58 North Street was purchased by a group of Brothers incorporated under the title, “The Masonic Charity and Education Association of Willimantic”. The building was purchased from Brothers Avery and Van Zandt, later the upper two floors were remodeled. The lodge room was on the third floor and the dining hall was on the fourth floor. The Temple at this location was dedicated on December 29, 1926. The 150th anniversary of Eastern Star Lodge was appropriately observed on November 10, 1948 with the celebration originating in the Temple at 58 North Street. M.W. Earle K. Haling (W.M. 1924) was General Chairman while W.B. Carl B. Webber was incumbent Worshipful Master. Among the members of that general committee familiar to current members are W.B. James D. Currier who served as Publicity Chairman and W.B. William R. Willard who was Decorations Chairman. Also known to have been in attendance is W.B. Howard H. Jennings. These festivities opened at 5:30 P.M. W.M. Webber extended fraternal greetings and introduced M.W. Bro. Haling who served as Master of ceremonies during the evening. Most Worshipful Grand Master Louis B. Thomas brought greetings from the Grand Lodge of Connecticut and presented our distinguished Brother Otto B. Robinson the Pierpont Edwards Medal for meritorious service to the craft. This fact was not generally recorded in later journals. The guest speaker for this timely celebration was Rev. William H. Nicolas, Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge. A new era in the history of Eastern Star Lodge #44 A.F. and A.M. began in late 1969 when it was decided that the Temple at North and Valley streets in the City of Willimantic had out-lived its usefulness and new facilities were desirable. Many of our older members could no longer climb the three steep flights of stairs to the meeting rooms and the dining hall was still another flight up. Redevelopment of the downtown business area of the city was underway and an offer was made to acquire our property. It was deemed advisable to sell the building which eventually was demolished. Under the capable guidance of The Charitable and Education Association a suitable lot on Route 6 in North Windham was considered adequate for our means. It was purchased and construction of a new Temple began immediately. On June 20, 1970 the cornerstone was laid by Most Worshipful Grand Master Carl O. Carlson. An emergent communication was held in the lodge room and opened in ample form. With the assistance of other Grand Lodge officers, Bro. Carlson proceeded to place a copper casket in the repository which included many articles of historic interest therein and the cornerstone was then sealed according to ancient form and ceremony. During another special communication of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge on October 10, 1970 Most Worshipful Carlson and his suite of Grand Lodge officers dedicated the new Temple. Appropriate remarks were made by several dignitaries and the response was presented on behalf of Eastern Star Lodge by our Worshipful Master Bernard M. Church. Two beautiful pedestals which grace the East were made by W.B. John McLeod of Fayette Lodge No. 69, Ellington, and presented on behalf of the Ninth Masonic District. The Ashlars displayed with-in the pedestals are the gift of R.W. James R. Case Grand Historian (of Wooster Lodge No. 10, Colchester) in memory of M.W. Earle K. Haling P.G.M. The new vault constructed there-in was the gift of Mrs. Marion (Ide) Haling in memory of her husband. The beautiful carvings, carpet, theater-type seats and the custom made organ were all transferred from the old to the new Temple. This new structure has no stairs; everything is at ground level and most practical and enjoyable. Our sisters of Radiant Chapter No 11, Order of Eastern Star were most generous in outfitting the new kitchen. During the past quarter of a century Eastern Star Lodge has continued to make its presence known in area Masonry. We have held our stated and special communications and many special events to which the public has been invited. Our growth has stabilized, and while we have lost many veteran members, who we mourn and will long remember we have welcomed into our ranks many promising new members. Many have through their regular attendance participated in our endeavors and lent their skills and expertise to furthering the principles of Masonry thus becoming valuable members of the craft. Many of our brethren have greatly participated in the progress of our Ninth Masonic District, held important offices and played leadership roles in this group helping earn the reputation of being the best district in Connecticut. We have supported both materially and financially the Grand Lodge programs to benefit our aged members, sisters and youth. Our support of the Willimantic Assembly No 26 Order of Rainbow for Girls is most noteworthy and appreciated. In the community at large we have generously aided in the Red Cross Blood Mobile programs by offering the use of our facilities and personal donations. The lodge was well represented in the Town of Windham's 300th birthday parade. We have evidenced our belief In Brotherhood-in-Action by taking part in many events over the years with our Prince Hall and Knights of Columbus brethren (such as marching in the annual Fourth of July parade in nearby Columbia) where we have been both well received and recognized by hundreds of spectators. We have observed Saint John's Day annually by attending worship at an area church and also conducting special semi-public programs in the lodge, these being both entertaining and cultural while keeping the true meaning of the occasion. The exterior of our property began a tremendous change in 1997 when the State Highway department started the task of improving Route 6 or Old Boston Post Road. Part of that project took a portion of our frontage. To compensate they constructed a new larger and more accessible entrance-exit to our parking lot which has been favorably accepted by our members and visitors. Other changes have been made in addition to landscaping. Our building has been repainted, a new roof installed and lighting improved. Within our beautiful temple the kitchen area has been remodeled and many new appliances and working areas installed. New folding dinner tables and chairs have replaced the out-dated wooden Items that had been used for many years. New improved lighting fixtures grace the entire area while the up-dated heating and air conditioning systems add to the comfort of all who use our facilities. During this transformation Sisters of the Order of the Eastern Star and Order of the Amaranth have added greatly to its appearance and efficiency. Our meeting room has also undergone a tremendous change. A new carpet has been laid and our theater type seats have been recovered. Our large pipe organ is no longer in use but we have secured a new smaller, modern and efficient instrument. We continue to this day to use many of the beautiful implements that were transferred from the former temple and have been in use since 1926. During the past 210 years Eastern Star lodge has continued to promote Freemasonry. Our membership roles have included many outstanding leaders in the community who continue to enjoy brotherhood and remain a reliable segment of the community in which we have been so favorably recognized these past 210 years. Many members of the lodge have through their service, dedication, leadership and participation made a lasting impression upon their fellow man not only within the craft but within the community in which they dwell. Several have become affiliated with other bodies, taken an active part, and became valuable members and loyal craftsmen. This is true not only on the local but district and Grand Lodge levels. Their wise counsel and advice has made a lasting impression on others and they are a tribute to themselves and an asset to Eastern Star Lodge. I have attempted to tell of the progress of Eastern Star Lodge during the past 210 years and note the important part that some of our members have taken as they sought further light in Masonry. Is has been necessary to condense much but my purpose is to show that there has been a steady growth and advancement in our Lodge, that her story is one of which we can all be proud, and that we can confidently look forward to the future for continued growth, progress, and prosperity. SO MOTE IT BE!
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