Holland Lodge

File:Holland Lodge 1 CIMG7749.JPGHolland Lodge No. 1 AF&AM is the oldest Masonic lodge in Texas and a founding subordinate chapter of the Grand Lodge of Texas.{{Cite web|url=http://www.grandlodgeoftexas.org|title=Home - The Grand Lodge of Texas|website=The Grand Lodge of Texas|language=en-US|access-date=2018-02-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130110190218/http://grandlodgeoftexas.org/|archive-date=2013-01-10|url-status=dead}} The lodge was originally chartered by the Grand Lodge of Louisiana on 27 January 1836, making it older than the Republic of Texas.Jordan, Dr. H. Glenn. Let There Be Light: A History of Freemasonry in Louisiana, 1763-1989. (Baton Rouge: Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana, F. & A.M., 1990), p. 78. OCLC [https://search.worldcat.org/title/25150924 25150924] ASIN [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005NMV3TW B005NMV3TW] It is in the Museum District of Houston, Texas at 4911 Montrose Boulevard. The building was erected in 1954, designed by architect Milton McGinty. The sandstone mural facade depicting the origins of Freemasonry was carved by William M. McVey.{{Cite web|url=http://wikimapia.org/10194303/Holland-Lodge-No-1|title=Holland Lodge No. 1 - Wikimapia|website=wikimapia.org|language=en|access-date=2018-02-16}}

Lodge history

File:Holland1.jpg

=Founding of Holland Lodge=

In March 1835, Anson Jones, John Wharton, Asa Brigham, James Phelps, and Alexander Russell, wishing to formally meet as an organized masonic lodge, met under the Masonic Oak near the burial ground of General John Austin and petitioned the Grand Lodge of Louisiana for dispensation to organize a lodge in the Texas territory.{{Cite web |last=Texas State Historical Survey Committee |date=1966 |title=Masonic Oak, State Historical Marker #9573 |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=167902 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203144054/https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=167902 |archive-date=December 3, 2023 |access-date=February 10, 2024 |website=THE HISTORICAL MARKER DATABASE}}{{Cite web |date=March 30, 2021 |title=Masonic Oak Marker #2 |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=167942 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210183644/https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=167942 |archive-date=February 10, 2024 |access-date=February 10, 2024 |website=THE HISTORICAL MARKER DATABASE}} On December 27, 1835, the dispensation was granted by John Holland, Grand Master of Louisiana. Holland Lodge No. 36 of Louisiana was instituted and opened on the second floor of the old courthouse in Brazoria, Texas. Meetings continued here until March 1836, when Brazoria was abandoned due to events related to the Texas Revolution. During this time, the official charter issued to Holland Lodge #36 was delivered to Texas by John M. Allen of Louisiana Lodge No. 32 and presented to Anson Jones just before the Battle of San Jacinto.{{Cite web |last=Grand Lodge of Texas, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons |date=1936 |title=San Jacinto Masonic Monument Marker |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=240780 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240211164609/https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=240780 |archive-date=February 11, 2024 |website=THE HISTORICAL MARKER DATABASE}} This document arrived safely in Brazoria after the battle, but the brethren had dwindled in number post-revolution.Chatham, Walter A. A History of the Masonic Building Association of Houston. 1974. OCLC [https://search.worldcat.org/title/4670090 4670090] ASIN [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002EOD2I2 B002EOD2I2]Jones, Anson. "Free Masonry in Texas: A Reminiscence of its Early History." [https://www.texashistorypage.com/images/Proceedings_of_the_Grand_Lodge_of_Texas.pdf Reprinted in The Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Texas, Vol. I], pp. 6-7; by A. S. Ruthven, Gr. Sec.; (publ. 1857) Galveston, Tx: Richardson & Co. [https://web.archive.org/web/20240212045801/https://www.texashistorypage.com/images/Proceedings_of_the_Grand_Lodge_of_Texas.pdf Archived] from the original on February 11, 2024. {{ISBN|0331284081|0331212382}} LCCN [https://lccn.loc.gov/09016033 09016033] OCLC [https://search.worldcat.org/title/34167449 34167449] ASIN [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0331284081 0331284081] ASIN2 [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0331212382 0331212382] Carter, James D. (1955). Masonry in Texas: Background, History and Influence to 1846. Waco, Tx: Comm. on Masonic Education & Service, Grand Lodge of Texas, A.F. & A.M. {{ISBN|1258136171}} LCCN [https://lccn.loc.gov/65002193 65002193] OCLC [https://search.worldcat.org/title/1060560142 1060560142] ASIN [https://www.amazon.com/dp/1258136171 1258136171] ASIN2 [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000RAYKYA B000RAYKYA] Thompson, Edward (February 10, 1990). "[https://web.archive.org/web/20080723154629/http://www.masoniclight.com/papers/04HOLLAND%20NO%20Texas.pdf HOLLAND NO. 36 ---Louisiana's Gift to Texas]". Louisiana Lodge of Research. Archived from the [http://www.masoniclight.com/papers/04HOLLAND%20NO%20Texas.pdf original] on July 23, 2008.{{Cite news |date=February 2, 1896 |title=History of Masonry in Texas By WM CJ Wright of Holland Lodge |url=https://archive.org/details/the-houston-post-1896-02-02-page-9 |work=The Houston Post |pages=7}}

=Original Brazoria Courthouse=

In November 1837, Anson Jones assembled Masons living near Houston in the Senate Chamber of the original Capitol building (the site of the Rice Hotel and currently The Rice Lofts){{Cite web |last=Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library |title=Former Site of Capitol, Republic of Texas, Houston Historical Marker |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=140374 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018185217/https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=140374 |archive-date=October 18, 2020 |website=THE HISTORICAL MARKER DATABASE}} and opened Holland Lodge regularly at this location until October 27, 1838. On November 13, 1837, the lodge appointed a committee to meet with members of Nacogdoches and San Augustine to organize the Grand Lodge of the Republic of Texas. This convention occurred on December 20, 1837{{Cite web |last=Texas State Historical Survey Committee |date=1987 |title=Grand Lodge of Texas, A.F & A.M. State Historical Marker #2248 |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=203383 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210182221/https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=203383 |archive-date=February 10, 2024 |website=THE HISTORICAL MARKER DATABASE}} in the Senate Chamber meeting place, presided over by Sam Houston, and included representatives of Milam No. 40 and McFarland No. 41. The Grand Lodge's first session was opened on April 24, 1838 at which time Texas lodges were renumbered according to the dates of dispensation. Thus was established Holland Lodge No. 1,{{Cite web |last=Texas State Historical Survey Committee |date=1970 |title=Holland Lodge No. 1 Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Texas, State Historical Marker #10686 |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=59774 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130020457/https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=59774 |archive-date=November 30, 2023 |website=THE HISTORICAL MARKER DATABASE}} Milam Lodge No. 2,{{Cite web |last=Texas Historical Commission |date=2008 |title=Milam Lodge #2, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Texas, State Historical Marker #14133 |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=29700 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018215855/https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=29700 |archive-date=October 18, 2020 |website=THE HISTORICAL MARKER DATABASE}} and McFarland Lodge No. 3. By November 1838, other lodges formed under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the Republic of Texas, including Temple No. 4 (Houston),{{Cite web |last=Texas Historical Commission |date=1983 |title=Temple Lodge No. 4 A.F. & A.M. State Historical Marker #10789 |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=240865 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216023541/https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=240865 |archive-date=February 16, 2024 |website=THE HISTORICAL MARKER DATABASE}} St. Johns No. 5 (Brazoria),{{Cite web |last=Texas Historical Commission |date=1997 |title=St. John's Lodge No. 5, A.F. & A.M. State Historical Marker |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=172984 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703153033/https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=172984 |archive-date=July 3, 2022 |website=THE HISTORICAL MARKER DATABASE}} Harmony No. 6 (Galveston), Matagorda No. 7 (Matagorda),{{Cite web |last=Texas Historical Commission |date=1990 |title=Matagorda Lodge No. 7, A.F. & A.M. State Historical Marker #3252 |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=158784 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523213915/https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=158784 |archive-date=May 23, 2022 |website=THE HISTORICAL MARKER DATABASE}} and Phoenix No. 8 (Washington).

=The Old Capitol Building=

On November 8, 1838, Holland Lodge, Temple Lodge, and the Grand Lodge of Texas (all previously meeting in the crowded Senate Chamber) secured lodge rooms in the upstairs apartments of Kesler's Arcade at 910 Congress Avenue. After a dispute over the rent, the bodies were barred from the building in September 1839 and could not resume labor until February 1840, when they met once again in the Senate Chamber. On June 10, 1840, Holland Lodge agreed to a six-month contract for rooms in the CC Dibble Building at 201 Main Street. During this time, officers of the lodge made a new contract with the heirs of Mr. Kesler and returned to the arcade apartments between February 1841 and January 1847.

File:Texas Old Capitol Building.jpg

After the turbulent first decade of masonry in Texas, members of Holland Lodge sought to establish a permanent building. Brothers William Marsh Rice and Nichols offered the second story of their new building at 1011 Congress Avenue for five years for the interest on a payment of $1100 which was eventually returned to the lodge. This facility was dedicated on January 16, 1847 and served as the home of Holland Lodge, Houston Chapter #8, and Houston Council #10 until November 23, 1852.

In May 1851, a committee was formed of members from Holland Lodge, Washington Chapter #2, and Ruthven Commandery #2 and submitted a plan for a new three-story building for lodge rooms and a school. By March 1852, a lot had been purchased at the corner of Capitol and Main streets for $600. The erection of the three-story building was contracted for $2500 and completed in October 1852. As planned, the first floor was rented as a school for $20 per month, and the associated bodies met in this new hall until it was destroyed by fire in October 1862.

Notable members

File:Samuel houston.jpg

Sam Houston - Hero of San Jacinto, President of the Republic of Texas, Governor of Texas and Tennessee, US Senator{{Cite web |last=Grand Lodge of Texas A.F.& A.M. |date=1997 |title=Sam Houston Masonic Historical Marker |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=119804 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922052422/https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=119804 |archive-date=September 22, 2023 |website=THE HISTORICAL MARKER DATABASE}}
Anson Jones - Last President of the Republic of Texas, First Grand Master of Texas Masons, Grand Master of Texas Odd Fellows,{{Cite web |title=PGM Anson Jones |url=https://ioof-grand-lodge-texas-pgm.weebly.com/anson-jones.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207223712/https://ioof-grand-lodge-texas-pgm.weebly.com/anson-jones.html |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |website=Grand Lodge of I.O.O.F of Texas}} Grand Master of Pennsylvania Odd Fellows.{{Cite web |title=Officers and Grand Master |url=https://www.glpaioof.org/currentOfficers.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308200340/https://www.glpaioof.org/currentOfficers.html |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |website=Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania Odd Fellows}}
David G. Burnet - 1st President of the Republic of Texas (interim), Vice President of the Republic of Texas, Secretary of State of Texas
James Fannin - Commander of the Texas Army at Goliad
Juan Seguín - Tejano Patriot
Benjamin Franklin Terry - Founder and Commander of Terry's Texas Rangers
Thomas S. Lubbock - Commander of Terry's Texas Rangers
James Pinckney Henderson - Army General, Attorney General of The Republic of Texas, 1st Governor of Texas, US Senator
Francis Lubbock - 6th Lieutenant Governor of Texas, 9th Governor of Texas (during US Civil War){{Cite news |date=May 10, 1899 |title=Ex-Gov. Lubbock is the Oldest Initiated Lone Star Free Mason. |url=https://ia601309.us.archive.org/33/items/shiner-gazette-may-10-1899-p-7/Shiner-Gazette-May%2C10-1899-p-7.jpeg |work=Shiner Gazette |pages=7}}
Hugh Mcleod - General of the Republic of Texas and the Confederacy, Second in command of Hood's Brigade{{Cite web |last=Cutrer |first=Thomas |date=1976 |title=McLeod, Hugh (1814–1862) |url=https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/mcleod-hugh |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101144554/https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/mcleod-hugh |archive-date=January 1, 2023 |website=Texas State History Association}}{{Cite web |last=Denslow |first=William R. |year=1957 |title=10,000 Famous Freemasons, Vol. I, A-D |url=https://www.latinamericanstudies.org/freemasonry/Famous-Freemasons.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824113535/https://www.latinamericanstudies.org/freemasonry/Famous-Freemasons.pdf |archive-date=August 24, 2023 |website=latinamericanstudies.org |publisher=Missouri Lodge of Research |page=6 |publication-place=Independence, Missouri |asin=B000GLQCH8 |oclc=11337271}}

File:William Marsh Rice.gif

William Marsh Rice - Founder of Rice University
Peter W. Gray - Cofounder of Gray and Botts (Precursor to Baker Botts), Grand Master of Texas
Walter B. Botts - Cofounder of Gray and Botts
Ben Taub - Philanthropist essential for the University of Houston and Baylor College of Medicine
Ross S. Sterling - Founder of Humble Oil (Precursor to Exxon) and 31st Governor of Texas

References

External links

[http://www.hollandlodge.org/ Holland Lodge No. 1 official website]
[https://grandlodgeoftexas.org/home The Grand Lodge of Texas official website]